Sowaka
1 night
Rooms and Guests
1 room, 2 adults, 0 children
All Properties in Kyoto
Sowaka
2025 Asia 100 – Cultural Hotels
Kiyoi-cho 480, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0821, Japan
Show on Map
We Price Match
Highlights
Ideal location
Delicious breakfast
Sparkling clean
Top local pick
Lots to doShow More
Amenities
Spa
Massage Room
24-Hour Front Desk
Luggage Storage
Bar
Restaurant
Wi-Fi in Public AreasFree
Concierge Service
All Amenities
Property Description
Bringing the concept of the ryokan elegantly up to date is Sowaka Kyoto- a serene haven in the ancient heart of Japan. Fusing time honoured design elements with real creature comforts- the hotel is the perfect place to escape to after a day of exploring Kyoto. Artfully arranged around courtyards and trickling fountains- the suites and bedrooms feature minimalist furnishings with luxurious touches. Here- you can sleep on a cashmere mattress- soak in a warm cypress bath- and open sliding doors to reveal your private garden or balcony. Start your day with a Japanese or Western take on breakfast. Then get a bespoke glimpse of Japanese culture on private tours of ancient temples. Stroll through the atmospheric alleyways of the city at dusk- perhaps spotting a kimono clad geiko or maiko hurrying to their evening appointments. When night falls- Michelin starred La Bombance Gion is the hottest table in town. The dark elegance of the restaurant sets the stage for masterful dishes that- like the hotel itself- put a modern spin on Kyoto traditions. Sowaka Kyoto is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.
Show More
9.6/10
AmazingFriendly staff, delicious food
All 53 Reviews
Surroundings
Metro: Higashiyama
(1.0km)
Metro: Sanjō Keihan
(1.3km)
Airport: Osaka International Airport
(45.8km)
Train: Gion-Shijo Station
(850m)
Train: Kawaramachi Station
(1.0km)
Landmarks: Nene-no-michi
(150m)
View on Map
Overview
Rooms
Guest Reviews
Services & Amenities
Policies
6
206 New Building Superior Room with Garden View and Balcony
1 Queen bed
43m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Private Bathroom
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
3
209 New Building Superior Room with City View
1 King bed
47m² | Floor: 3
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
5
110 Main Building Higashiyama View Room
1 Queen bed
27m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
4
104 Main Building Maisonette Room With Tea Ceremony
2 Single bed
60m² | Floor: 1-2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
212 Main Building Garden View Room
1 King bed
48m² | Floor: 3
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
7
105 Main Building Superior Room with Garden View Skip Floor
1 Queen bed
39m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
7
204 Annex Building Junior Suite
1 King bed
70m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
3
212 New Building Superior Room with Garden View
1 King bed
48m² | Floor: 3
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
6
107 Main Building Deluxe Room with Naguri Wall
2 Single bed
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
7
106 Main Building Deluxe Room with Higashiyama View
2 Single bed
59m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
8
108 Main Building Garden View double Suite
2 Single bed
97m² | Floor: 2
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
1
108 Main Building Garden View twin Suite
2 Single bed
97m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Private Bathroom
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
7
101 Main Building Deluxe Room with Private Garden
1 Queen bed
50m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
7
201 New Building Deluxe Room with Tsuboiwa View and Open Air Bath
1 King bed
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
6
111 Main Building Superior Room Away Machiya Style
1 Queen bed
34m² | Floor: 1-2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
1
102 Main Building Deluxe Room With Private Garden
2 Single bed
51m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Private Bathroom
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
104 Main Building Deluxe Maisonette with Tea Ceremony Room 1 King bed
1 King bed
60m² | Floor: 1-2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
6
204 New Building Junior Suite with Garden View and Tatami Space
1 King bed
70m² | Floor: 2
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
5
211 New Building Deluxe Room with Higashiyama View and Tsuboiwa View Bath
1 King bed
58m² | Floor: 3
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
6
208 New Building Deluxe Room with Tsuboiwa View and Rim
1 King bed
45m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
3
103:Deluxe Room with Garden View, Hollywood Twin(Main)
2 Single bed
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
6
207 New Building Deluxe Room with Tsuboiwa View Bath
1 King bed
56m² | Floor: 2
No window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
6
205 New Building Deluxe Room with Tsuboiwa View and Open Air Bath
1 King bed
44m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
5
102:Deluxe Room with Private Garden, Hollywood Twin(Main)
2 Single bed
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
109 Main Building City View Room
1 King bed
32m² | Floor: 2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
City View
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
203 Annex Building Garden View Room
1 King bed
47m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
In-room Wi-Fi
Check Availability
7
202 New Building Deluxe Room with Tsuboiwa View and Tatami Space
1 King bed
49m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
4
210 Annex Building Standard City View Room
1 Queen bed
35m² | Floor: 3
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Bathtub
Refrigerator
Check Availability
4
203 New Building Deluxe Room with Garden View with Open Air Bath and Tatami Space
1 King bed
47m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
Hide Room Types
Guest Reviews
9.6/10
Amazing
53 reviews
Verified Reviews- Cleanliness9.6
- Amenities9.3
- Location9.6
- Service9.6
Average for similar properties in Kyoto
AI Summary
The location in Gion near temples and shops allows easy exploration. Guests appreciated clean, spacious rooms, unique features, and attentive staff. Some noted the cleanliness and high-quality amenities.
FU KUEI
April 22, 2025
We recently stayed in Sowaka Room 103 for two nights. The room was really beautiful. The staff who took us in also said that this was the most beautiful room. We highly recommend it. The service is impeccable, warm and attentive, just right without being excessive. The amenities are very complete, the mini bar is completely free, there is a bed-turning gift every night, and a bottle of red wine is given as a welcome gift. The details are very thoughtful. The breakfast was a bit ordinary, and I didn't have dinner, so I can't comment on it. Disadvantages: The bathroom in Room 103 is poorly designed, the floor is creaky and not very stable, the bathroom light is too bright, and it is not friendly for makeup application. Summary: Room 103 is really beautiful. Apart from its tolerable shortcomings, it is still highly recommended to stay for one or two nights. The full score is 100, so you can give 95 points.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
高美蘭
March 22, 2025
Friendly staff, delicious food
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
September 28, 2024
The room was clean and tidy and big. The front desk service was very good. They introduced the hotel environment and facilities to us when we checked in. The breakfast was 6k yen. It was a bit noisy when it rained in the morning.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
September 16, 2024
The picture shows Room 108. The light and shadow at sunrise are impressive and worth trying.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
February 2, 2025
The house is old and dark. The corridor is very cold. My husband caught a cold and had a fever there. The staff is nice. It depends on whether you like this style. The price is OK.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
michaelsy0227
June 17, 2024
The location of the hotel is very good, next to the shrine. It's also convenient to go to Qingshui. The hotel staff makes you feel like you're at home. They didn't hesitate to ask the front desk for help with store matters. There is nothing bad about the hotel overall.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
April 1, 2025
Will choose this hotel again next time!
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
November 15, 2023
The facilities are average. The sensor light in the toilet is broken. If you don't pull the window carefully, it will derail and make a rattling sound. The tea room only has tea sets and no hot water kettle. It is just a pretense and I feel that the operator is not strict in management.
The hygiene is okay and the environment inside the store is good. It's a pity that it is run by Indians. I feel that they just copied the gourd and failed to inherit Japanese culture and thoughtful and nuanced service concepts. The energy atmosphere in the store is cold.
Very low value for money hotel experience.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Services & Amenities
Most Popular Amenities
Spa
Additional charge
Massage Room
24-Hour Front Desk
Luggage Storage
Bar
Restaurant
Wi-Fi in Public Areas
Free
Bar
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
No additional info available
More Amenities
Internet
Wi-Fi in Public Areas
Free
Parking
Parking
Front Desk Services
Luggage Storage
Concierge Service
24-Hour Front Desk
Languages Spoken
Japanese
Food & Drink
Bar
Room Service
Health & Wellness
Massage Room
Spa
Additional charge
Beauty and Makeup
Public Areas
No Smoking in Public Areas
Smoking Area
Gift Shop
Garden
Cleaning Services
Laundry Service (On-Site)
Additional charge
Dry Cleaning
Additional charge
Ironing Service
Additional charge
Clothes Dryer
Clothes Steamer
Business Services
Fax/Copying Service
Additional charge
Safety & Security
First Aid Services
First-Aid Kit
Fire Extinguisher
Smoke Detector
Security Alarm
Security Personnel
Property Policies
Check-in and Check-out Times
Check-in: 15:00–22:00
Check-out: Before 11:00
Front desk hours: 24/7
Child Policies
Children 12 year old and over are permitted to stay in some room types at this hotel
Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
Cots and Extra Beds
Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
Breakfast
TypeWestern
StyleSet menu
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
Adult | Contact hotel |
Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
Pets
Pets are not allowed
Age Requirements
The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old.
Paying at the Hotel
- Cash
Property Description
- Opened: 1919
- Renovated: 2018
- Number of Rooms: 23
Bringing the concept of the ryokan elegantly up to date is Sowaka Kyoto- a serene haven in the ancient heart of Japan. Fusing time honoured design elements with real creature comforts- the hotel is the perfect place to escape to after a day of exploring Kyoto. Artfully arranged around courtyards and trickling fountains- the suites and bedrooms feature minimalist furnishings with luxurious touches. Here- you can sleep on a cashmere mattress- soak in a warm cypress bath- and open sliding doors to reveal your private garden or balcony. Start your day with a Japanese or Western take on breakfast. Then get a bespoke glimpse of Japanese culture on private tours of ancient temples. Stroll through the atmospheric alleyways of the city at dusk- perhaps spotting a kimono clad geiko or maiko hurrying to their evening appointments. When night falls- Michelin starred La Bombance Gion is the hottest table in town. The dark elegance of the restaurant sets the stage for masterful dishes that- like the hotel itself- put a modern spin on Kyoto traditions. Sowaka Kyoto is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.