Nissho Besso

9.2
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 282 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 4:00 PM / Check-out until 10:00 AM
City Center Shopping Area Public Onsen Reservable Bath Kaiseki Cuisine
Staff 9,3/10
Facilities 9,0/10
Cleanliness 9,4/10
Comfort 9,1/10
Value for money 8,8/10
Location 9,3/10

Ryokan highlights

Traditional Kyoto ryokan on Sanjo Street with central sightseeing access and a classic garden atmosphere.

Central Sanjo LocationSet in central Nakagyo, handy for shopping streets, dining, and city sightseeing.
Walkable Station AccessAbout 6 minutes from Karasuma Oike Station, with other central stations also reachable on foot.
Historic Kyoto AtmosphereTraditional wooden architecture gives a classic Kyoto inn feel instead of a standard hotel stay.
Garden Breakfast SettingBreakfast is served with views of the Japanese garden, adding a calm Kyoto touch.
Tea Room CharmThe property features an authentic tea room that deepens the old-Kyoto cultural experience.
Highly Rated PositionGuest feedback consistently praises the location as a standout advantage for exploring Kyoto.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsAccess is the strongest driver here: central Kyoto lets you check in, use the baths, have dinner or breakfast on-site, and walk out easily for Nishiki, downtown streets, and nearby cultural stops without changing hotels too often.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a traditional Kyoto-city ryokan for 1-2 nights, especially if you want tatami lodging and central sightseeing access rather than a remote onsen retreat.

Know before booking

Not an onsen resortThis is a city ryokan with bath facilities, not a countryside hot-spring destination stay.
Can be overkill for long staysThe ryokan atmosphere is appealing, but for 3+ nights some travelers may prefer a more hotel-like urban base.
Bath rules matterPublic bath access may involve house rules, and tattoo restrictions may affect some guests.

Food & drinks

This central Kyoto ryokan clearly offers in-house kaiseki dinner and Japanese breakfast, with many useful dining options nearby.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

In-house meal venue for Kyoto-style kaiseki and Japanese breakfast.

  • Kaiseki dinnerfoodSeasonal multi-course Kyoto meal.
  • Japanese breakfastfoodTraditional morning set.
  • Kyoto ingredientsspecialtyCarefully selected local produce.
  • Tea servicedrinkTypical meal accompaniment.
Another C (nearby)
nearbyabout 10 min walk

Modern Kyoto cuisine with seasonal vegetables and wagyu.

  • Kyoto cuisine coursefoodCreative Japanese tasting style.
  • Seasonal vegetablesfoodKyoto-grown produce.
  • Wagyu beeffoodChar-grilled main dish style.
  • Sake pairingdrinkLikely available with dinner.
Poisson d'Or (nearby)
nearbyabout 11 min walk

French dining bar near Kawaramachi Sanjo with fish, meat, and sweets.

  • Seasonal carpacciofoodLight seafood starter.
  • Fish dishfoodFrench-style seafood course.
  • Beef mainfoodMeat-focused main plate.
  • DessertsfoodCafe-style sweets.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in central Kyoto, with practical access on foot from nearby subway and Hankyu stations and straightforward onward access from Kyoto Station and the main Kansai 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?

Nissho Besso is a traditional Kyoto ryokan in central Nakagyo-ku that suits travelers who want old-world atmosphere more than polished luxury. It stands out for its historic wooden architecture, garden setting, and calm feel, but some guests may find the style and setup less convenient than a modern hotel.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Historic Kyoto characterThe main building is a two-story wooden structure tied to an old merchant house, giving the stay a distinctly traditional Kyoto feel rather than a generic hotel atmosphere.
  • Beautiful inner gardenThe ryokan has a Japanese courtyard garden with moss, stonework, and a tea-room approach, which adds a surprisingly serene setting in the middle of the city.
  • Very central but quietIt is set in central Kyoto near Sanjo, with walkable access to Karasuma Oike, Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae, Shinkyogoku, and Kawaramachi areas, yet the property emphasizes a calm interior atmosphere at night.
  • Spacious Japanese-style roomsThe main building offers large tatami rooms, and the property notes that each room has a different layout, which gives the stay more personality than standardized business hotels.
  • Good for a classic ryokan stayDinner is served in-room and breakfast is served facing the courtyard, which creates a more traditional ryokan rhythm for travelers who want the full cultural experience.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Old-style comfort trade-offIts appeal comes from age and tradition, so travelers wanting sleek finishes, modern design, or fully contemporary room standards may find it dated rather than charming.
  • Some rooms are less convenientNot every room category has the same setup, and some lower-cost rooms use a shared bath arrangement instead of a fully private in-room bathing experience.
  • Private bath needs planningThe private bath is not simply open on demand; it requires advance phone reservation and comes with an extra fee, which reduces spontaneity.
  • Later check-in than many hotelsCheck-in starts at 4:00 PM, which is a little restrictive if you want to settle in earlier after arriving in Kyoto.
  • Not ideal for fully hotel-like convenienceThis ryokan is centered on traditional spaces, tatami living, and a quieter pace, so it may not suit travelers who prefer the efficiency and facilities of a modern international hotel.

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: 48th out of 141 ryokans in Kyoto.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
43rd Kyoto Ryokan Gion Sano 9.3/10 102
44th Ryokan Motonago 9.2/10 657
45th Kyoto Higashiyamaso 9.2/10 354
46th Hiiragiya 9.4/10 31
47th Yadoya Manjiro 9.5/10 21
48th Nissho Besso Current ryokan 9.2/10 282
49th IZUYASU Traditional Kyoto Inn serving Kyoto cuisine 9.2/10 275
50th Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo 9.2/10 273
51st Ryokan Tanoya 9.2/10 175
52nd Shorenkan Yoshinoya 9.2/10 167
53rd Monjusou 9.2/10 124
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