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Kyoto Sawai

Property class: 2.5

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Photo gallery for Kyoto Sawai

A traditional Japanese building with a wooden exterior, a tiled entrance, and a sign indicating a restaurant.
A staircase with a handrail, leading to a landing with a view of a room.
A room with tatami flooring, a low table, a futon, a window with a grid pattern, and a ceiling fan.
A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low wooden desk, a tatami mat with a circular design, and a wooden shelf with various items.
A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, a low wooden ceiling, and sliding doors.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
  • Room service

Explore the area

View in a map
4-320 Miyagawasuji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0801
  • Place, Kenninji Temple
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Gion Corner
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Yasaka Shrine
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Osaka (ITM-Itami)
    ‪54 min drive‬

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)
  • 178 sq ft
  • 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
  • 118 sq ft
  • 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)
  • 506 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Twin Beds and 3 Twin Futons

Similar properties

Exterior
APA Hotel Kyoto Gion EXCELLENT
Gion
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
4.2 out of 5, Very good, 1,000 reviews
$153 nightly
The price is $168
Nov 3 - Nov 4
APA Hotel Kyoto Gion EXCELLENT

About the neighborhood

Kyoto

Kyoto Sawai is centrally located in Kyoto, a 3-minute walk from Kenninji Temple and 10 minutes by foot from Yasui Konpiragu. .This guesthouse is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Maruyama Park and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Yasaka Shrine.
View more Guest Houses in KyotoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Lake Biwa Canal - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Kenninji Temple - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Gion Corner - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Yasaka Shrine - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Nishiki Market - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Kiyomizu-gojo Station - 6 min walk
  • Sanjo Keihan Station - 15 min walk
  • Itami Airport (ITM) - 61 min drive

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 offers 6 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations have separate dining areas. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)). Bathrooms include showers, toilets with an electronic bidet, complimentary toiletries, and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Irons/ironing boards, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.
Make yourself at home in one of the 6 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves. Your bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.
This smoke-free guesthouse offers toys.
Take advantage of the guesthouse's room service (during limited hours). Continental breakfasts are available daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours.
Continental breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: JPY 2,000 for adults and JPY 2,000 for children

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Shopping mall

Family friendly

  • Baby toys
  • Children's books
  • Children's toys
  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Separate in-room dining area

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Genkan (entryway)
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Down comforter
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Paper towels
  • Separate dining area

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee: JPY 3000 for check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight
Minimum check-in age: 19

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

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

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 3 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. 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.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately JPY 2000 for adults and JPY 2000 for children
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-in fee: JPY 3000 for check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and window guards
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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
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

Property is 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

Kyoto Sawai Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 93 out of 128 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 128 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 10 out of 128 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 128 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 128 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location was great and also the staff were very polite and respectful. Definitely would recommend to everyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing!! Wonderful hosts. Intimate experience. Felt right at home. I will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A lovely stay in a historic tea house. Friendly staff and owner.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
True ryokan experience, which was very comfortable. Would definitely come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was lovely, would stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This property had great air conditioning Wi-Fi and very modern restrooms.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If your looking for a traditional Japanese experience then look no further this stay is great offers you the experience of living in a samurais house with all the modern features that make your stay perfect and the area is peaceful beautiful and quiet.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very historic area with easy access to dinning shopping and traditional japanese cultural places and events
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely place, lovely staff!

Wonderful experience! The staff was super friendly and kind, we had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Amenities
Owner was very nice and everything was better than expected!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great experience
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved it! We wanted the traditional old Japanese experience and this was exactly that for us. Plus the street is magical with lanterns and is very cozy. We will stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent service. Charming authentic room. Comfortable bed and pillow. Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

150 year old tea house, our lovely Kyoto home

We absolutely loved staying here and the owner and her husband were so welcoming and sweet to us. Location is great we watched ladies in kimonos walking by. We walked everywhere and the restaurants were great. It really was our lovely home in Kyoto.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property managers are great. Very interesting stay to experience traditional Japanese living.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

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