Sowaka Hotel - Kyoto

$$$$||View on mapKyoto, JapanNo. 480, Seikei-Cho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0821|
9.6
Perfect
|75 photos
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Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 room
Sowaka Hotel - Kyoto
No. 480, Seikei-Cho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0821·View on map
$$$$
Overall Score
Perfect
9.6Perfect
Free WiFi10.0
Location9.8
Staff9.8
Comfort9.7
Cleanliness9.6
Who stays here
Couples63%
Families24%
Groups7%
Solo5%

Overview

Overall Score
Perfect
9.6Perfect
Free WiFi10.0
Location9.8
Staff9.8
Comfort9.7
Cleanliness9.6
Who stays here
Couples63%
Families24%
Groups7%
Solo5%

5-star luxury ryokan in Kyoto's Gion district, housed in a restored 100-year-old building

Accommodation

Sowaka offers 23 rooms, each designed differently by over 100 skilled craftsmen. Every room includes heated floors, a private bathroom with a deep soaking tub and rainfall showerhead, and either a garden view or a tea ceremony space. Room 208 provides an all-glass wall overlooking the garden, while room 111 offers a two-story suite with a cypress wood bathtub.

Dining

The on-site restaurant Gion Loka serves Japanese cuisine inspired by Michelin-starred techniques, with a kaiseki dinner menu and a choice of Japanese or Western breakfast. The bar stocks a wide selection of Japanese whiskeys, and the hotel can arrange sake pairings with meals. Room service is available, and the chef, Takaaki Kato, personally explains each course to guests.

Location

Hotel Sowaka sits in the historic Gion district, steps from Yasaka Shrine and a 15-minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Heian Shrine is 1 mile away, and the hotel is within walking distance of Ninenzaka and Maruyama Park. The property's entrance opens directly onto a quiet street lined with traditional machiya townhouses.

Wellness & Services

Sowaka provides a spa and wellness center offering in-room massage treatments, including options for couples. Bicycle rental is available for exploring the neighborhood, and the 24-hour front desk can arrange concierge services and taxi bookings. The hotel also has a garden where guests can relax, and the staff delivers daily turndown gifts from local artisans.

History & Design

The main building of luxury hotel Sowaka is a restored 100-year-old ryotei, renovated with traditional Kyoto-style decoration and modern comforts. Each room is individually furnished with antique and contemporary pieces, and the property includes a Japanese garden that has existed for centuries. The architecture features heated floors throughout, shoji screens, and tatami mats, preserving the original character of the building.

  • Location: Gion district, steps from Yasaka Shrine
  • Rooms: 23 individually designed rooms with heated floors
  • Dining: Gion Loka restaurant with Michelin-starred cuisine
  • Wellness: Spa treatments, in-room massage, bicycle rental
  • History: Restored 100-year-old ryotei with original Japanese garden
  • Adults-only: Guests aged 18 and older only

License number: 京都市指令保医セ第 582号

Good to know
Check-in/Check-out
from 15:00-22:00
until 11:00
Amenities
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Other information
Breakfast
You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs JPY 6500.0 per person. 
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room.  There are no cribs provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Building
Number of rooms:23
Price calendar
Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Rooms and availability

Standard Double Room
  • Max:
    2 persons
  • Bed options:
    1 Double bed1 King Size Bed
King Suite
  • Max:
    2 persons
  • Bed options:
    1 King Size Bed
Annex Junior Suite
  • Max:
    4 persons
  • Bed options:
    1 King Size Bed
Show 5 more room typesLess

Facilities

Main facilities

Wi-Fi
Parking
Baggage storage
24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

Food/ Drinks

Bar/ Lounge area

Restaurant

Spa and relaxation

Massage

Spa & wellness center

Laundry
Adults only

Services

  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Happy hour

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area

Business

  • Fax/Photocopying

Spa & Leisure

  • Garden area
  • Spa & wellness center
  • Massage

Room view

  • Garden view
  • Courtyard view
  • Mountain view

Room features

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Mini-bar
  • Sitting area
  • Terrace
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
Show all facilitiesHide facilities

Essential information about Sowaka Hotel

💵 Lowest room price 462 US$
📏 Distance to center 200 yd
✈️ Distance to airport 30.5 mi
🧳 Nearest airport Itami, ITM

Location

No. 480, Seikei-Cho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0821
Address
The address has been copied.
No. 480, Seikei-Cho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0821
Map view
No. 480, Seikei-Cho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0821
  • City landmarks
  • Nearby
  • Restaurants
625 Giommachi Kitagawa
Yasaka Shrine
100 yd
Pagoda
Kodai-ji
100 yd
Parks
Maruyama Park
100 yd
Higashiyama-ku
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
100 yd
Higashiyama-Ku
Hanami Lane
100 yd
Japan
Nineizaka
100 yd
Higashiyama-ku
Ishibe Alley
100 yd
463 Maruyamacho
Kyoto cherry blossoms
100 yd
390−1 Kinencho
Yasaka Koshin-do
100 yd
Restaurant
Iyemon Salon Atelier Kyoto
100 yd
Restaurant
Teppan Tavern Gion Tenamonya
100 yd
Restaurant
Jubanseru
100 yd
Restaurant
Cafe Restaurant Yayoi
100 yd
Restaurant
Gion Cafe
100 yd
Restaurant
Mavo
100 yd
Restaurant
Kyoto Cuisine Jikishonbo Saiki
100 yd
Restaurant
Mimiko
100 yd
Restaurant
Teppanyaki & Sake Bar OAGARI
100 yd
Restaurant
Dari K Gion Akishino
100 yd

Reviews of Sowaka Hotel

The essence·from guest reviews·past 2 years

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Guests say: exceptional stay
rated 9+
4.4/ 5
14 reviews
9.6/ 10
261 reviews
4.7/ 5
83 reviews
9.4/ 10
26 reviews
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Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 room