Kyoto Sawai

Property class: 2.5
City-center guesthouse within walking distance of Kenninji Temple

Choose dates to view prices

Kyoto Sawai puts you in a great location, within just a 10-minute walk of Kenninji Temple and Yasui Konpiragu. Also, Kawaramachi Street and Shijo Street are within just a 10-minute walk. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff. Public transportation is close by: Sanjo Keihan Station is just 15 minutes by foot.
VIP Access

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Non-smoking
  • Child-friendly activities

Main amenities (5)

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Breakfast available
  • Room service
  • Air conditioning
  • Limited hour front desk

Feel at home (6)

  • Microwave
  • Separate dining area
  • Premium bedding
  • Mini-fridge
  • Children's toys
  • Free toiletries

Room options

View all photos for Shizu no Ma (Up to 4 Guests)

A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, a low wooden bed with white bedding, and shoji screens on the walls.

Shizu no Ma (Up to 4 Guests)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 17 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Miya no Ma - Middle (Up to 2 Guests)

A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, a low wooden bed with two pillows, and a shoji screen wall.

Miya no Ma - Middle (Up to 2 Guests)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 11 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Futons and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Classic Room, Non Smoking, Private Bathroom

A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami mats, a low wooden ceiling, and a bed with a headboard.

Classic Room, Non Smoking, Private Bathroom

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 47 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Twin Beds and 3 Twin Futons

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About the neighborhood

Map
4-320 Miyagawasuji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0801

What's nearby

  • Lake Biwa Canal - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Kenninji Temple - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Gion Corner - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Yasaka Shrine - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Nishiki Market - 10 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • Itami Airport (ITM) - 61 min drive
  • Kobe Airport (UKB) - 101 min drive
  • Kansai Intl. Airport (KIX) - 104 min drive
  • Kiyomizu-gojo Station - 6 min walk
  • Gion-shijo Station - 7 min walk
  • Kyoto Kawaramachi Station - 9 min walk
  • Sanjo Keihan Station - 15 min walk
  • Gojo Station - 15 min walk
  • Shiyakusho-mae Station - 19 min walk

Restaurants

  • ‪curry & tempura koisus - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪ろじうさぎ - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪名月堂 - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪おやじ - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪路地との本 - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Kyoto Sawai

  • Kyoto Sawai puts you in a great location, within just a 10-minute walk of Kenninji Temple and Yasui Konpiragu. Also, Kawaramachi Street and Shijo Street are within just a 10-minute walk. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff. Public transportation is close by: Sanjo Keihan Station is just 15 minutes by foot.

At a glance

Hotel size

    • 6 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
    • Early check-in subject to availability
    • Late check-in subject to availability
    • Minimum check-in age: 19
    • Check-out time is 10:00 AM
    • Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

    • The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
    • Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
    • To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
    • If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Required at check-in

    • Cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 19

Children

    • Children (3 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding

Pets

    • Pets not allowed

Internet

    • Free WiFi in rooms (speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices))

Parking

    • No onsite parking

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Continental breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:30 AM–9:00 AM
  • Room service (limited hours)

Traveling with children

  • Children stay free (see details)
  • Toys
  • Children's books

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)

Facilities

  • Art gallery on site
  • Shopping mall on site
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning and heating
  • Iron/ironing board (on request)

Sleep well

  • Down comforter
  • Premium bedding

What to enjoy

  • Individually furnished and decorated
  • Separate dining area

Freshen up

  • Shower only
  • Electronic bidet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

Stay connected

  • Free WiFi (speed of 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices))

Food and drink

  • Mini-fridge
  • Microwave
  • Free bottled water
  • Paper towels

More

  • Housekeeping on request
  • Guidebooks/recommendations
  • Local maps

Fees & policies

Mandatory fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or check-out. Fees may include applicable taxes:
  • A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 100–10,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

Optional extras

  • Continental breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately JPY 2000 for adults and JPY 2000 for children
  • Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)
  • Late check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight can be arranged for an extra charge of JPY 3000
  • Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)

Policies

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ). Additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and window guards on site.
This property accepts cash.
Cashless transactions are available.

Also known as

Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Sawai Guesthouse
Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse Kyoto

Frequently asked questions

Are pets allowed at Kyoto Sawai?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at Kyoto Sawai?

Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Kyoto Sawai.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Kyoto Sawai?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM. There's a charge for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge (subject to availability).

What is there to do at Kyoto Sawai and nearby?

Recommended spots to visit include Kenninji Temple (3-min walk) and Yasui Konpiragu (10-min walk), along with Yasaka Shrine (12-min walk) and Nishiki Market (13-min walk).

What's the area around Kyoto Sawai like?

Kyoto Sawai is in Gion, a short 6-minute walk from Kiyomizu-gojo Station and 13 minutes' walk from Nishiki Market.

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Reviews

Kyoto Sawai Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.2

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

9.4

Staff & service

9.0

Property conditions & facilities

Popular mentions

Service staff
Room
Location

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Location was great and also the staff were very polite and respectful. Definitely would recommend to everyone.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent location, quiet yet close to everything. Very clean, lovely host, friendly and spoke great English which helped us a lot. Beautiful old style traditional Japanese rooms with modern conveniences. Would highly recommend.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

True ryokan experience, which was very comfortable. Would definitely come back!
Verified review

4/10 Fair

Definitely a great location. Over priced to for we got. Our room was in a maze of tiny hallways. Although clean, the room was a storage closet. Staff was kind, the inn keeper was okay.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great central location to the Old Town in Gion and walkable to plenty of nearby temples. Also close to a train station for easy access to everything else. Staff is very kind and accommodating and gave us small gifts on our way out!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Lovely place, lovely staff!

Wonderful experience! The staff was super friendly and kind, we had a wonderful stay.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful traditional Japanese ryokan located in a charming alleyway adorned with lovely red lanterns. The historic rooms are spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated, featuring stunning new bathrooms that added to the comfort. The host exemplified the true art of Japanese hospitality warm, friendly, and genuinely attentive. We truly appreciated the extra effort in setting up additional bedding for our family, preparing delicious matcha for us, accommodating our children so thoughtfully, and even providing a lovely souvenir as a memento of our stay. Thank you so much for making our visit so special. We highly recommend this hidden gem!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Fantastic ryokan. Very affordable all things considered and the owners are incredibly friendly and helpful. The lodgings are wonderful, as they are both beautiful and comfortable. Couldn’t recommend more
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The room is cozy and comfortable, and we felt right at home. An electric kettle to make tea was an amazing touch. The surrounding area is beautiful and we had a great time exploring. Keiko is the most gracious and welcoming hostess, and we loved our stay at Sawai! We are already looking forward to returning to Kyoto in the future and staying here again.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

True Edo period style hotel experience

Sawai is an authentic if no frills experience. However, you can’t beat the location, the look and feel of the place, and the wonderful staff. I will stay here again.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This is a very picturesque traditional family run hotel in a 160 year old Kyoto house. It’s quite an experience to enjoy Gion area - close to all shopping and the famous Geisha area of old Kyoto. Highly recommended.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent Stay

Our stay at Sawai was superb Keiko the owner welcomed us with traditional matcha tea at homemade sweets it was delicious. The bed was so comfortable and the experience in a traditional Japanese Inn or Ryokan was something I was looking forward to in this trip in Kyoto. The place was easy to find and navigate. Closed to downtown but,away from hustle and bustle.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Everything was amazing. The owner is so lovely and greeted me the moment I arrived. She also made delightful breakfast for me each morning, even at like 6:30am when I tried to get to the tourist spots early. The house is amazing, an old tea house in the heart of Gion. There are a lot of stairs and narrow alleyways tho, so keep that in mind. Next time I'm in Kyoto I'm 100% coming back to the Kyoto Sawai
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Great Japanese style guesthouse experience. Not a hotel more like a guesthouse, staying with a family. The people running the place are super warm. No breakfast. It was quiet but since I was with my kids I felt like I was disturbing the rest of the guests or owners. They live there. I still recommend it.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great experience in Kyoto

This was an excellent Ryokan - down a quiet street across the river from a busy area in Kyoto. The hostess and her family made us feel welcome and provided the type of experience we were looking for in Kyoto. The bathrooms were up to date and well stocked, the tatami and beds comfortable for all of us to sleep in. Would highly recommend this as a traditional stay while in Kyoto!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Experience the past with the comfort of the future

We were looking for a slice of old Japan after a week in Tokyo. I can say that that desire was thoroughly fulfilled. Our room was like one straight out of the pass, but their were enough modern renovations to make it feel comfortable. We didn't explore the immediate area to much but with just a short train ride to access Fushimi inari I think it's a great place to stay. The staff are also very friendly and helpful. My friends bag was broken in transit by a delivery company and they handled all the talks themselves on our behalf and we ended up getting a 3000 yen compensation. It's a great hub to explore a lot of kansai and a great way to experience old Japan.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers) stayed here for 4 nights and we loved it. The host and staff were so kind and thoughtful and very accomodating. Pros: * Good sized room * Clean * Staff are so kind and helpful * Beds were large * Traditional appeal. Not only is it an old tea house, geishas in training live next door * The location is close to shopping and transportation options. * It's on a very quiet street - no car traffic. Cons: * Our room was a little cluttered with extra furniture that didn't need to be there. * As previous reviewers have said, the hallways are comically tiny, so getting your oversized luggage into the room will be a challenge or pack light. The location is near coin laundry.
Verified review

6/10 Good

The owner of the property was kind and seemed like a lovely woman but the other staff didn't really seem to know what was going on. The check in, while early which we absolutely appreciated, was basically us getting the keys and giving our passports. No explanation of amenities or the room itself. I noticed they offered tours of the building with sweets and tea but we didn't get any tour. The room itself was spacious and very comfortable. The self filling tub and shower room was the highlight and we made sure to maximize our use! We were supposed to get a VIP 4500 yen drink credit but we were told it just consisted of coffee or matcha tea at night and I'm unsure if we received that full value over two nights. I understand that Kyoto is pricey, especially in the area of this guesthouse, but I feel like we overpayed for what we got. Overall, it was an average stay.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

As expected: cool gion experience. The host was cheerful and helpful. We loved the atmosphere and the central location. Highly recommend for couples and families.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Nice building. 160 years old geisha house. Worth experiencing a japanese style bedroom with tatami and futon. Owners are very kind and helpful.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This was the best stay on our trip to Japan, the beautiful 160yr old building was so authentic, on a classic Kyoto old charming street, the hosts were kind and our bags were already in our room when we arrived!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing!! Wonderful hosts. Intimate experience. Felt right at home. I will definitely be back.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

A lovely stay in a historic tea house. Friendly staff and owner.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great traditional home to stay in. Near bus stops. Kyoto station is about 30 min walk. We enjoyed our stayed and I would definitely recommend it.
Verified review

2/10 Poor

The owner of the Airbnb leaves there and she charged taxes for each person while the hotels charge per room. Bed sheets, pillow cases, and towels are very old.