Kyoto Ryokan SAKANOUE

8.9
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.9/10, based on 424 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM
Old Town Temple District Garden Setting City Center Reservable Bath Indoor Bath
Staff 9,3/10
Facilities 8,6/10
Cleanliness 9,2/10
Comfort 8,8/10
Value for money 8,2/10
Location 9,4/10

Ryokan highlights

A traditional small ryokan in Kyoto’s Gion/Higashiyama area, well placed for classic sightseeing.

Gion Landmark LocationSet in Gion Shimogawara, steps from Yasaka Shrine and close to Maruyama Park.
Walkable Sightseeing BaseKiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji, and other Higashiyama highlights are reachable on foot.
Traditional Kyoto StayA small ryokan with a classic Japanese atmosphere suited to a Kyoto-style stay.
Kyoto-Style MealsKnown for serving traditional Kyoto dishes, adding a more local ryokan experience.
Quiet Small-Scale FeelIts modest room count supports a calmer, more personal stay than large hotels.
Good Transit AccessGion-Shijo Station is within walking distance, with nearby bus access for city touring.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsLocation is the strongest driver here: one night works well for arrival, a Kyoto dinner, private bath time, and an early-morning Higashiyama walk before crowds; two nights makes sense if you want a slower Gion and temple schedule without changing hotels.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1 to 2 night traditional Kyoto stay in southern Higashiyama for travelers who want early and late access to Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji, and Kiyomizu area walks rather than station convenience or a true onsen retreat.

Know before booking

Not a real onsenBathing appears to be private indoor bath use rather than a verified natural hot spring stay.
Weak station logisticsGreat for Higashiyama sightseeing, but less convenient than staying near Kyoto Station for rail-heavy day trips.
Easy to overstayAfter two nights, many travelers may prefer a more transit-friendly base unless focusing heavily on eastern Kyoto.

Food & drinks

A traditional Gion ryokan at 502 Washio-cho serving Kyoto-style meals, with nearby Gion dining as useful backups.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Traditional dining room for Kyoto-style dinner and breakfast.

  • Kaiseki dinnerfoodSeasonal multi-course Kyoto meal.
  • Japanese breakfastfoodTraditional set breakfast.
  • Western breakfastfoodOptional western-style morning meal.
  • Local seafoodfoodSeafood often noted by guests.
  • Kyoto cuisinespecialtyCarefully selected fresh ingredients.
Sakanoue (on-site)
on-site

Ryokan meal venue also noted for Kyoto cuisine lunch sets.

  • Kyoto set mealfoodCompact tray-style Kyoto lunch.
  • TempurafoodLight fried shrimp and vegetables.
  • Grilled fishfoodSimple seasonal fish course.
  • Yuba ricefoodRice with Kyoto yuba touches.
  • BeerdrinkBottled beer available.
Gion Shouan (nearby)
nearbyabout 6 min walk

Nearby Gion Japanese restaurant for a refined meal out.

  • Seasonal Japanese dishesfoodKyoto-style tasting courses.
  • SashimifoodFresh sliced seafood.
  • SakedrinkGood pairing with washoku.
  • Course diningspecialtyQuiet Gion restaurant setting.

Access, transport and nearby sights

A well-placed Gion ryokan best reached via nearby Gion-area stops or a short taxi ride from Kyoto Station, with Kansai and Itami as the most practical airports.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Should you choose this ryokan?

This is a well-located traditional-style ryokan in Kyoto's Higashiyama/Gion area, especially appealing for travelers who want to explore famous sights on foot while staying somewhere quieter than the busiest main streets. It is a stronger fit for atmosphere and location than for full-service ryokan dining or ultra-convenient station access.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Prime Higashiyama settingThe ryokan sits in Washio-cho near Yasaka Shrine and Kodaiji, putting you right in one of Kyoto's most atmospheric sightseeing areas rather than in a generic hotel district.
  • Walkable to Kyoto iconsYou can reach Yasaka Shrine and Kodaiji in about 2 minutes, Yasaka Koshindo in about 5 minutes, Yasaka Pagoda in about 6 minutes, and Kiyomizu-dera in about 15 minutes on foot.
  • Quiet despite the famous locationIts appeal is that you step away from the tourist flow into a calmer lane, so you get Gion access without feeling as exposed to constant street bustle.
  • Rooms have more character than standard hotelsThe property offers named Japanese-modern rooms with individual traits such as garden views, hill views, overhead windows, or mixed bed-plus-futon layouts, which makes the stay feel more personal.
  • Good for couples wanting Kyoto atmosphereThe inn leans into traditional ambience with a nostalgic entrance, incense, seasonal decor, and ryokan styling, making it a memorable choice if you want the mood of old Kyoto rather than a business-hotel feel.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • No dinner serviceThis ryokan does not provide dinner, so travelers expecting a classic kaiseki ryokan experience on-site may find the stay less complete than they hoped.
  • Breakfast is buffet-styleBreakfast is served as a Japanese-Western buffet in a dining area rather than as a more intimate in-room meal, which may feel less special for a ryokan splurge.
  • Not ideal for driversThe inn does not have its own parking, so arriving by car is less convenient and may require using nearby paid parking.
  • Less convenient from Kyoto StationThe property is excellent for Higashiyama sightseeing, but it is not next to Kyoto Station, so station-focused travelers may find transfers and luggage movement less effortless.
  • Some rooms trade openness for atmosphereRoom styles vary, and at least one is specifically described as having no windows, so guests who strongly prefer brighter or more open-feeling rooms should choose carefully.

Ranking around this ryokan in Kyoto

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 84th out of 141 ryokans in Kyoto.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
79th Charoku Bekkan 9.2/10 12
80th HOSHINO-OTOー星音 9.9/10 2
81st Hanayashiki Ukifune-en 8.9/10 2,517
82nd Ryokan Sanga 8.9/10 673
83rd Wajimaya Ryokan 8.9/10 445
84th Kyoto Ryokan SAKANOUE Current ryokan 8.9/10 424
85th Yamamoto Ryokan 8.9/10 161
86th Ryokan Kyoraku 8.9/10 51
87th Kyōka, auberge de Gion 9.4/10 1
88th Matsubaya Ryokan 9.1/10 2
89th Genmyoan 8.8/10 24
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