Fitting perfectly with Kyoto’s traditional street in the city’s Shimogyo Ward and sitting opposite the grandiose Higashi Hoganshi temple, Matsubaya Ryokan is every bit a Japanophile’s dream stay and is one of the must experience ryokans in Kyoto.

Matsubaya Ryokan first opened its doors in 1884, when the inn’s then owner welcomed a monk from the nearby marvelous Higashi Hongaji temple as their first guest. From then on, the ryokan has seen Buddhist monks, religious leaders, poets and writers come and go during the following years. Currently the inn welcome travelers, both local and international to experience all the goodness that their ryokan has to give. So, for foreigners looking for traditional places to stay in Kyoto where the staff rings out a warm “okaeri” (welcome back) every time you enter through the doors and English is not a barrier of communication, this is your best pick.

Rooms

With a hospitality that reflects the manners and treatment of the Japanese to their esteemed guests, and cozy rooms with the traditional tatami mats and decor, Matsubaya Ryokan provides a traveler with everything they need for a comfortable stay in the traditional Japanese manner but catering to a guest with all the modern amenities to ensure that there won’t be any hiccups.

Their rooms are floored in their traditional tatami mats. Budget travelers will get smaller rooms that has all the fittings for a proper stay. Cupboards and coat racks are cleverly fitted in the space for storage. The room has cozy futons that lulls you to sleep and a low-floor traditional table and chair for seating. Air-cons and heaters are in place according to the climate.

The room has dim yellow lighting for the traditional touch and an extra lamp for reading. The bathroom is fitted with modern toilets, bidets and their shower rooms come with shampoo, soaps, and hair dryers.

You’d think that a ryokan like this would require coins that would put a hole in your wallet but on the contrary, affordable prices is what makes Matsubaya a go-to spot for most travelers venturing into Kyoto. Ranging from an average of USD $51 to USD$120 per person per night (depending on the rooms, season and dates of travel), you can choose between various rooms from a simple single room to a luxurious suite or even a family apartment with its own kitchen. All in its traditional style.

Matsubaya’s range of room and pricing options for a budget-friendly traveler to a spender, including the exceptional treatment of guests by their hosts, easily makes it one of the best Ryokan in Kyoto.

Location

Settled in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto, this is a ryokan near Kyoto station which is a 10-minute walk away. This means that access to all the sightseeing spot in the prefecture is hassle-free most of the time. If you want to opt for a closer station, you can walk to Gojo station which is a five-minute walk away. The ryokan is also next to the historical Higashi Hoganji temple which often sees lesser tourists than Kyoto’s other famous temples that is often heavily crowded. So, if you want a leisure day to visit a historic site close by, this is your go-to spot.

The ryokan is also just 20-30 minutes away (via Kyoto Station) from Fushimi Inari, Nijo castle, Sanenzaka-Ninenzaka, and Gion. Since Kyoto Station is close by, this makes your trip to further away areas like Arashiyama, Osaka and Nara a lot easier since the station runs direct trains to those tourists’ spots.

Neighborhood

Left: The top of Higashi Hoganji temple seen from the streets along with Ameena Navab, AWO journalist standing in front of it.
Right: Kyoto tower seen from the streets at night

With plenty of restaurants, konbinis (Japanese convenient stores) and even a huge mall called Yodonbashi that has tons of retail stores and a variety of restaurants right around the corner, the neighborhood is always lively with youth and the older alike heading out for drinks and dinners at night. If you don’t fancy eating at malls, then you can walk around the streets and find various restaurants from traditional ones to multi-cuisines such as Italian and Indian in 15-minute walking distances.

The neighborhood is also common for pop-up stores that includes merchandises and food and the likes so you can enjoy your leisure days checking out what’s new around town.

Dining

Top: English Breakfast served at the ryokan every morning. Bottom left: The lounge at Matsubaya Ryokan. Bottom right: Decors at the ryokan

Matsubaya’s decorated lounge is nothing like the common hotels. Instead, it is a reminisce of the 1800s and wooden tables and benches fill the place so they can serve breakfast for guests every morning.

If you book the Ryokan with breakfast for a few extra dollars, you can enjoy their home-made meal before you head out on your explorations. You can choose between an English-style breakfast (complete with tea/coffee, toast, salad, egg, pudding, and fruits) or their Japanese style breakfast (rice, miso soup, pickles, dips, salads, and meat).

The Japanese breakfast must be booked in advance so they can prepare it for you in time. The ryokan only offers breakfast option, but they have a cafe where you can order tea or refreshments and ice creams. Despite only having one meal per day, you can use their lounge for free anytime to have lunch or dinner that you’ve bought from outside. They will offer you plates and utensils at your request.

Amenities

The coolest part about Matsubaya Ryokan is their photo spot. Guests can enjoy taking beautiful images in their tatami-floored photo spot with props that includes katanas and umbrellas. A hanging wisteria completes the beauty. You can also use their tiny garden with a pond and bamboo shoot for images as well.

After a tiring day or if you’re in the mood to have some Japanese matcha tea, you don’t have to wander around the streets or spend from your wallet. Instead, just head up to your room at Matsubaya where some Japanese green tea (matcha tea) completes with the Japanese tea set (cups and jar included) awaits in your room. And yes, this is absolutely free and is included in your room price, so you don’t have to look anywhere else.

Left: Souvenirs sold at Matsubaya. Right: The japanese tea set along with matcha tea included in the ryokan’s rooms.

And in case you didn’t have time to shop for some souvenirs, Matsubaya makes it easy for you as they have a collection of souvenirs that you can buy and take home for yourself or your friends.

A vending machine with some hot and cold drinks can also be found right outside the ryokan. The room also has a travel guide about Kyoto that lists some pretty cool places and restaurants you can check out. The lobby also has guides about the area and kimono rentals you can purchase nearby.

The ryokan also has a bath (for an added price) where you can soak in its hot water with bath salts or other minerals. This bath also provides a view of their garden. And don’t worry about peeping toms as the garden is inaccessible for anybody else.

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