"Ryokan" A Hotel Choice for Authentic Japan Experience in Kyoto ♢ How my solo stay went

How to stay in Traditional Japanese Inn Ryokans and What to know before you make decision.
Ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn, that you can enjoy unique Japanese experience. All the experience can be interesting and memorable, but it can be a difficulty for Internatinoal travelers. So today, I'd like to show you my solo stay at Japanese style ryokans in Kyoto, and show you what you can expect and what you might want to know, before you make decision for your hotels in Japan.
I booked very early and the price was about $250 for the first night, and
$150 for the 2nd night, both with two meals. The condition depens on the plan,
so please make sure what is included when you make reservations.
Gion Fukuzumi:
www.gion-fukuzumi.com/english/
www.booking.com/hotel/jp/gion...
Higashiyamaso:
www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kyot...
www.agoda.com/partners/partne...
My favorite ryokan in Nara - Musashino:
www.booking.com/hotel/jp/musa...
The Old Capital (Japanese Literature based in Kyoto): amzn.to/45lqMrT
Thank you for watching. Have a great Ryokan stay. :)
Other videos of Ryokan:
Epic Japanese Inn with Hot Springs in Kyushu: • Unforgettable Onsen Ex...
* Please kindly note that some links are affiliate links and you end up supporting my video.

[@KevinandDayle]

Thanks! Another interesting video.

[@tokyokenchan]

Kavin san, Dayle san, thank you so much again for your support for the video!! I'm glad you liked the video. Have a great evening. Thank you again. :)

[@nateshf9303]

My wife and I just stayed at a renovated (interior) old house that belongs to our friend's parents, tucked away in an alley by the Takase River along Kiyamachi-dori, just a few minutes walk from the busy Shijo-dori, but felt like worlds away. Our favorite area in Kyoto.

[@tokyokenchan]

That sounds like a very nice place in a great location. Great to know someone local. :)

[@gixmgm]

I like it when you say that Ryokan also serves as the protector of the travelers, I hope I will get the same experience when I travel there in Nov this year. Thank you for the nice video.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching and noticing the details. I especially felt this way in the 2nd night as it was a smaller accommodation. I saw they try to help guests with English. I hope you have the same experience.

[@briandevitt6903]

New subscriber from Ireland here. Really enjoying your videos, they are very well put together and informative. I hope to visit Japan when in the next year or two.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching from Ireland! I’m glad you liked my videos. I’d like to post more videos by the time you visit here :)

[@pjd4268]

Thank you. I'm very excited to go and enjoy Japan and Ryokan's. I"m an audio guy so i'm hoping to visit Accuphase, Luxman, Shindo Labs, Audio Note and Jazz Kissa plus many others.

[@swissfoodie3542]

When you visit Japan, staying in a Ryokan for 2 nights is one of the absolute "must experience" in my opinion. Make sure that you choose an accommodation with: a japanese room (meaning tatami mats on the floor and you sleep on a futon), offering halfboard (so that you can enjoy a wonderful kaiseki dinner), and with an onsen (a japanese bath), preferably one with both an indoor and outdoor onsen. Some Ryokans have shared toilets/shower, so if you dont like that, be sure to choose one where this is not the case. Staying at a Ryokan is not cheap, but its a great experience, and I cannot recommend it enough ! If you are vegan or vegetarian, it will be difficult however to find a Ryokan that is suitable, as there is a lot of fish/seafood/meat/or fish based (with stock) products in the food.

[@swissfoodie3542]

Also, some Ryokans serve dinner in the room, some have a restaurant (often with private booths) for breakfast and dinner. I prefer the second option, because I dont like it when the room where I sleep, smells of the food I had.

[@tokyokenchan]

100% agreed and you said everything I wanted to explain in the video. Thank for your guide and insight. Every aspect that makes Ryokan special can be uncomforable for some travelers. I thinkg it's good to keep it one or two different ryokans for the first time visitors.

[@tokyokenchan]

Yes. In the first ryokan, several different ryokan staff came into my room like 5 times to bring foods and for greeting during eating, so I find it special as I got older now, but I was quite uncomfortable when I was young and prefered the restaurants with private booth. I haven't thought about smell but that might be another thing some guests notice. Thank you.

[@sickocell]

Awesome recommendations. Will definitely take note of these for my trip to Japan

[@paros320]

“You can just fall over to the floor and sleep” 🤣

[@tokyokenchan]

Haha. That's the best part of eating in the room.

[@worldwidebear1967]

Well it looks like Ryokan is my type for sleep over in Japan. Thank for showing. 🙂

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello long time no see. Thank you for watching. :)

[@sallywebb7209]

Your videos are great. Its good to watch a Japanese who speaks good English explaining the travel features. My second trip end of July I'm am very excited

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching and your kind comment. I wish you the best trip in Japan in July!

[@Erosknight]

Such a great Video! Traveling Solo to Japan in November. I was kind of nervous to be on my own in Kyoto and wasn't sure where I should stay but your video is inspiring me to stay at a Ryokan. Thank you for again. :D

[@nsr2525]

I am so thankful i found you. Please post more!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for finding me and leaving a nice comment. I will post more. :)

[@pierrecaron8731]

When I was in Kyoto, I stayed at the Gojo guesthouse annex, and I bought my food at the Fresco, happy memories. Thank you.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for sharing. Gojo guesthouse looks very nice. I like Fresco too! I enjoy seeing different milk brands from Tokyo.

[@pierrecaron8731]

@@tokyokenchan Seeing the Tesco store and the the Yasaka pagoda brought happy memories. I can't wait to go back to Japan.

[@kikkobro]

Great video, very helpful to see what a Ryokan experience is like, definitely have to check one out!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video. I hope you enjoy Ryokan.

[@tessielimoct]

Thankful i found your video. Travelling this april-24. Want to try your recommendations. Theyre very helpful to us. Planning to keep on visiting Japan. You are your country's treasure promoting your country to tourists.

[@Sanno8585]

Thanks a lot for this new video Kenchan. I am planning my accommodation in Japan and so the timing of your video is perfect. I will check the links that you‘ve provided. Thanks again!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you Serge san again. There are many more ryokans in Kyoto, so this is just 2 ryokans as example. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[@MrGhostsword]

I am planing my trip to japan, and following your videos help. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching my videos. I hope you come up with a great travel plan to Japan. :)

[@ip4380]

thank you! Very informative video!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

[@Violette---]

Great video as always! Visiting Japan again next month can't wait! I'm staying near nishiki Market, I hope that's a good area!😮

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching the video. :) That's exciting you are going to Kyoto soon! I think that is very convenient area that you can walk to many different areas, plus closer to several stations. I wish you the best trip in Japan Hitomi san.

[@melcrose]

Amazing videos and your English is EXCELLENT.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for your nice comment. I need more practice but I really appreciate it. :)

[@melcrose]

@@tokyokenchan I very much appreciate it as you say things like "futon" to help us with our japanese accents. You are appreciated!

[@tokyokenchan]

@@melcrose Thank you so much. your message encouraged me a lot to keep going. :)

[@LatLong-]

Thank you for the info. I will be traveling to Kyoto next week (from a western country)😄.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. Oh that's great :) Good timing before the golden week! I wish you the best trip in Kyoto.

[@sony3246]

I love this. I wish I knew about ryokan prior to getting a regular hotel. I might forfeit one of my days to try it in December

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. Especially second one might become a good experience. I recommend you to get a plan with dinner if you can find. :) Wherever you stay, I hope you have a great trip in Kyoto.

[@gilespeterson120]

Awesome 🤩 thank you so much 😊. Beautiful 😍

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. :)

[@catalinacurio]

どうもありがとう for this wonderful video.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. ありがとうございます。:)

[@kaput808]

Great video. Very interesting traditions and beautiful surroundings. I wouldn't be able to stay somewhere you had to share a shower and toilet tho. Those are special places that I enjoy alone lol.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. Haha, I understand. I'm used to sharing bath as Japan is onsen country, but sharing toilet is not something I can get used to. ^^;

[@rachelsplanet6282]

I would sure like to try staying in a ryokan in future. A recommendation of ryokans and airbnbs or hotels that's mid-range price e.g. USD70 for solo or 2-4 pple and within walking distance to Lake Kawaguchiko station would be great!

[@markcoycoyescueta6922]

Ohaiyo KenChan San..it is untimely for me I just left Osaka and Kyoto earlier..I am in the shinkansen right now watching this video.. All your previous videos were very helpful..Keep up the great work!!! Hope all is well with you..Off to Ueno Tokyo in a few

[@tokyokenchan]

Mark san, how did your stay in Osaka and Kyoto go? So you are on your way to Ueno. Great weather today to welcome you to the city of Tokyo! 😄 Thank you for watching the video on Shinkansen. I know it's hard to watch KZbin with WiFi of Shinkansen.

[@markcoycoyescueta6922]

@@tokyokenchan it went well my friend...Osaka and Kyoto both have different vibes..more relaxed and slower than Tokyo..I strongly suggest for your subscribers to go and visit these places... I still wish to meet and see you soon...You can make anyone feel relaxed with your calm energy...

[@mukeshvig174]

I just read about it the other day and 'Im still trying to figure out 'Ryokan'. Thanks

[@amirhalgal]

Lovely videos as always! My trip to Japan on last Month went smoothly thanks to your videos 😂 But i just wondering, what would it look like if we travels to Japan during golden week and do you have any tips or itinerary to enjoy the golden week (maybe some special event or festivals that you recommend)? thanks in advance!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching this video! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your trip in Japan. I actually don't know any events on Golden Week. There are many more festivals during summer. For itinerary, it's better to avoid theme parks or tourist spots, also moving inter cities especially at the beginning and the end of GW. It might be better to stay in the city like Tokyo and Osaka as hotel price doesn't change that much. :)

[@phatloctv68]

Nice sharing about Japan, thank you so much like 🤝💯🔔OK my friend

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you. :)

[@theinternationalist1357]

Last summer I was in Kyoto. I think I walk to much in Kyoto, only if I have a scooter, it will be much faster and easier to get to each points. This summer June, I will be in Hokkaido, Sapporo, Sendai, etc... up North. I visit JP twice a year, each time stay for 1 month so 2 months in JP each year :)

[@tokyokenchan]

That's great you can visit here often. :) I think that's a good idea to focus on one area or direction and stay long. Probably you know Japan more than me. Yes, you end up walking a lot in Kyoto, and it's very hot in summer in Kyoto. 🌞

[@theinternationalist1357]

@@tokyokenchan I think I visit JP to much :)) maybe end of this year (when JR increase their prices), I will only stay in JP for 2 weeks and the other 2 weeks fly to SE Asia, it is cheaper in SE Asia.

[@tokyokenchan]

@@theinternationalist1357 I'm sure there is a moment for anyone "I'm done" with Japan, and move on. We cannot win Thailand for tourism. :)

[@theinternationalist1357]

@@tokyokenchan Haha, JP is always with me :) Yes, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc... it is much closer from JP than California to SE Asia.

[@VanhA-db3kz]

ありがとうございました。I've been wanting to try one out but they seem expensive and also regarding onsen I have tattoos 🤔 Last time in Kyoto I could not use the free tickets to hotel spa.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. Yes, with two meals it can be a bit expensive but there are some small reasonable inns if not a major destinations. I didn't see any signs for tattoo in these ryokans, and some of public bath house which you can go around 500 yen allows tattoos. Like this one. hakusanyu.co.jp/#lang-english

[@Erosknight]

Im looking into stay at the Higashiyamaso Ryokan but would really love the same view of the street as the one in your video. Did you stay in the Kyomizu room or the Shimogamo room?

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello. The room I stayed is Narutaki on the 2nd floor, the cheapest room in the ryokan. Kiyomizu and Shimogamo are rooms with Yasaka pagoda view and in room toilet, so more expensive. If you eat dinner in the ryokan, please make sure to book the plan with dinner. I hope you have a great trip to Kyoto :)

[@Erosknight]

@@tokyokenchan I see, Thank you! I also noticed the Kinugasa has a similar view as the Narutaki so I might try that and its cheaper than the Kyomizu/Shimogamo. Thank you for your help :)

[@tokyokenchan]

Great. It's really in a good location to stroll Kiyomizu area in early morning. Hope you have a wonderful stay. :)

[@deskslee]

Very nice Ryokan, but I think they don't have rooms for 2 adults and a 12 yrs old child. I am trying to look for Ryokan around Kyoto for next year December with this criteria and it's really hard to find and done early bookings for 4 nights.

[@user-bu7jt8jd2o]

KenChan-San, I am travelling to Tokyo from Kyoto this mid July for 3 nights. How much will it cost to stay in a Ryokan with a room with toilet?

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello Lee san, the price of ryokan changes time to time, depends on the day you visit and when you book, so you might want to check the Ryokan's booking sites for the exact date you are visiting. Also, it looks cheap first but sometimes those are without any meal even with Ryokan, so I recommend you to make sure you book the right one. I stayed for around $150-$250 a night with two meals, but I booked right after the boarder opened, so it might have gone up. I hope you find good accommodations in Kyoto.:)

[@thelifeofbatteries2603]

Hello Kengo san. Do Ryokan have a menu choice as i don't eat seafood, although we are not intending to stay in one on this trip. Thank you

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello Darren and Rosie san. Sorry for my late response. I actually saw one person asking for no fish at breakfast. You usually don't have seletion at small ryokans, but you might be able to ask for "no fish" meal if you write them before making reservation. :)

[@thelifeofbatteries2603]

Arrigato Kengo san

[@kerri-annkumar5752]

Can you recommend a family friendly ryokan?

[@allentran6007]

Hello, What time was dinner? There was a range time for dinner?

[@tokyokenchan]

Both nights, I wanted to go out after dinner so I asked them 6 or 6:30. The second Higashiyamaso said “anytime is ok. “

[@FluffyBunny9002]

My Japanese is extremely poor. I can kinda read it as long as it's not loaded with kanji, and I can speak some if they are patient and want to wait on me to find the words. If they're willing to talk to me very slowly like I am a child, maybe I can understand some of what they're saying. I guess what I am trying to say is: how good does my Japanese have to be to stay at a ryokan?

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for asking. You don’t need to be able to speak Japanese. I mean it would be nice if you try, but you can spend a good time as they try to accommodate you. :)

[@qhadj5387]

Can we stay in a ryokan but skip dinner? We like to try restaurants 😂

[@tokyokenchan]

Yes you can. You can choose the plan without dinner.

[@qhadj5387]

They gave you so much food. Is it typical?

[@Richard-ck5zk]

Do you think these Ryokan are suitable to stay with a 1yr old baby?

[@tokyokenchan]

The Japanese room is easy as everyone is on the floor and no worry to fall, also you don't have to go out of the hotel to busy city, and enjoy the authentic Japanese meal in your room. I checked Japanese reviews of a family went with babies for Fukuzumi, and the only complaint I saw was that there was no baby bed in the changing room of public bath. I couldn't find any review for Higashiyamaso, but it is listed as kids, senior friendly hotel in Japanese travel agency site.

[@Richard-ck5zk]

@@tokyokenchan thanks for the reply!

[@tokyokenchan]

@@Richard-ck5zk Have a great trip to Kyoto!

[@Richard-ck5zk]

@@tokyokenchan thank you! Will be my second time, finally for Cherry Blossom season next year!