Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Terrace
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Exceptional service
Beautiful location
High-quality food
Cons:
No significant complaints
Minor mention of a need for maintenance in one review

Categories

Cleanliness
9.2
Cleanliness mentioned positively, with a focus on stunning gardens and a well-maintained property.
Service
10
Exceptional service highlighted across multiple reviews, with staff described as kind, helpful, and attentive.
Location
10
Repeated emphasis on prime location in Kyoto, described as stunning and central.
Room Quality
9.7
Rooms described as beautiful, comfortable, and unique, enhancing the overall stay.
Amenities
9.2
Amenities mentioned positively, including unique offerings like garden views and exceptional dining experiences.
Value for Money
9.2
Overall value perceived as high given the luxury experience provided.
Food and Beverage
9.7
Food quality praised with specific mention of incredible dining experiences.
Overall Experience
9.8
Overwhelmingly positive overall experiences cited, with many reviewers calling it unforgettable.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 04:00

Property Description

Traditional Kyoto-Style Decoration
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Kyoto at SOWAKA, where the renovated main building showcases traditional Kyoto-style decoration, offering a unique and authentic experience for our guests.

Japanese Garden Retreat
Relax and unwind in our serene Japanese garden, a peaceful oasis in the heart of Kyoto, providing a tranquil escape from the bustling city life.

Convenient Location
Located near the vibrant Gion district, SOWAKA offers easy access to popular attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Heian Shrine, allowing you to explore the rich culture and history of Kyoto effortlessly.

Experience the charm of Kyoto at SOWAKA. Book your stay now for an unforgettable journey.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
An accommodation tax per person, per night is not included in the price and must be paid at the property.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children ages 12 and older are allowed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

Location

Guest Reviews

9.6
Based on 397 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.2
Service: 10
Location: 10
Room Quality: 9.7
Amenities: 9.2
Value for Money: 9.2
Food and Beverage: 9.7
Overall Experience: 9.8
J
jean jacques couple fr
10
Séjour parfait à Kyoto
Pros:

Hôtel très apaisant !

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
T
Terrye couple gb
9
Excellent location but felt it was very expensive for facilities on offer
Pros:

Hotel well appointed in area good for tourists. Easy to walk out to the shrine, park and the village -full of tourists. There was a long shopping street with various restaurants. The room was large and the bathroom had a square wooden bath which I’ve never seen before. The room and bed were comfortable but lacked the wow factor. Sitting area could be more comfortable . The roof seating would be nice on cooler days - needs more shaded areas as impossible to dit in on a hot day

Cons:

The lounge downstairs was pleasant enough but again the styling of the room could have been better. This is an expensive place to stay and although it was perfectly comfortable I didn’t feel it met my expectations. The location is great. The bar only seats in low bar stools so you need to be agile. The bartender was brilliant snd we enjoyed a cheese platter with our cocktail.

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
R
Rodrigo couple pt
10
Dreamy
Pros:

How perfect our was. The most relaxing and beautiful room we’ve been in!

Cons:

Nothing!

2026-06-25 via Nuitee
I
Ingrida couple us
10
We had a wonderful stay.
Pros:

This hotel is truly exceptional, offering a rich historical background, outstanding service, and a unique experience that makes every stay memorable.

Cons:

Everything was wonderful. More space for clothes would have been appreciated, but it was a minor issue and we managed well.

2026-06-23 via Nuitee
S
Sercan family_with_children gb
10
Pros:

Exceptional service, cleanliness

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
K
Kerri family_with_children us
10
Amazing, inviting and spectacular
Pros:

Everything! The hotel was absolutely beautiful. The location was great and walkable to great sight seeing, shopping, restaurants. We also ate at the hotel and the food was spectacular. The staff was also helpful in providing us directions, helping with luggage or just being there to say hello. I would go back to this place in a heartbeat!

Cons:

Honestly nothing really I can say that was bad.

2026-06-14 via Nuitee
M
Matthew extended_group us
10
Very romantic hotel and location couldn’t be better. Authentic Japanese hotel.
2026-06-06 via Nuitee
B
Bhargav couple in
9
2026-06-05 via Nuitee
E
Emre couple tr
10
Kyoto bella
Pros:

Perfect thank you Sowaka

2026-06-04 via Nuitee
P
Philip couple us
10
Calm oasis in the heart of old Kyoto
Pros:

The building is thoughtfully renovated, with a wonderful original space and then a tasteful and calm modern annex. The room was spacious with a nice bathroom and Japanese tub. The staff were helpful and polite and clearly proud of their space.

While we didn’t have dinner at the restaurant, the Japanese breakfast was delicious - the full range of items that you’d expect from a high end ryokan.

2026-05-30 via Nuitee
S
Sara couple us
10
Pros:

one night we asked the front desk to help us with a dinner reservation for 4. we wanted sushi and the desk made a reservation for us at a sushi bar. we would have better to sit at a table so we could talk together. thank you.

2026-05-12 via Nuitee
K
Kristen couple us
10
Perfect lux stay that feels like ryokan
Pros:

Gorgeous rooms and facility. Staff exceptionally helpful and savvy.

Cons:

Ha it’s expensive but that we expected

2026-05-10 via Nuitee
L
Lina couple ma
9
Emplacement exceptionnel et Très belle chambre. Service conciergerie restauration à éviter
Pros:

Superbe chambre incluant un Onsen. Mais vide. Dans d'autres hôtels l'Onsen était toujours prêt donc plus facile à utiliser. Personnel exceptionnel.

Cons:

Leur conseil en terme de restauration très médiocre.

2026-05-03 via Nuitee
I
Ignacio couple es
10
Pros:

Incredibly beautiful hotel. Excellent location. Very attentive and polite stuff. Will repeat

Cons:

Room and overall hotel were gorgeous

2026-04-30 via Nuitee
M
moirakinney Family North Chicago, Lake County, Illinois
8
Lovely but Expensive
Pros:

This modern ryokan balances charm/authenticity with modern comforts in the perfect location. It is in historic Gion near several key sights, but not on a main street so a little quieter. A couple nearby bus stops allowed us to easily explore the city. We had the suite (204) which was very spacious for my family of 3 (with teenage son) and had all the modern touches throughout (dimmable lights, heated bathroom floors, electronic shades, etc). The breakfast was bountiful and very good. Service is definitely the standout here, with everyone very welcoming and attentive. My only issue is the price. Although I don't have any major complaints, Sowaka is very expensive for what you get (to be fair I think Kyoto is expensive in general and we visited during peak cherry blossoms).

2026-04-14 via Tripadvisor
G
Gughiz extended_group it
9
2026-04-13 via Nuitee
C
Caroline couple fr
10
Pros:

Hôtel très agréable et luxe. Nous avons tout aimé

2026-04-12 via Nuitee
M
Milena family_with_children de
10
My favourite place in Kyoto ❤️🙏.
2026-04-08 via Nuitee
M
Milena family_with_children de
10
2026-04-08 via Nuitee
J
Johann couple no
10
2026-04-05 via Nuitee