Published date: January 15, 2025
A Hotel with an Elegant Atmosphere and a Taste of Kyoto, Japan
Room Type Stayed
Some info has been automatically translated by AI.
Experience of the stay
We stayed here with my 10-year-old daughter and my husband on January 3rd. Luggage storage was available before and after check-in without any time restrictions, and it seemed okay until 23:59 on the check-out date.
There is no parking, so we unloaded our suitcases in front of the hotel and parked the car at a place we booked via Akippa. The entrance of the hotel has a Japanese feel, and there were several rental bicycles available.
The staff at the front desk were very polite and classy. It felt like there were an overwhelming number of foreign guests, so I assume most of them could speak English.
The room had a small tatami area by the window, allowing us to relax not only on the bed but also on the tatami; we used this space as our luggage area. Since we were co-sleeping, we pushed two beds together, but there was space to fit our suitcase between the wall and the bed, ensuring no voids between the beds.
The bathroom didn't have a bathtub, only a shower.
There were free mineral water, Uji gyokuro from Gion Tsujiri, and some snacks provided. Next to the reception, there was a lounge-like sofa area where guests could freely enjoy coffee or hot milk. There were also marshmallows, pies, and candies (matcha and hojicha), which delighted the children.
Inside the hotel, there was a bamboo grove, and that space was very lovely. They even had a rickshaw, which would appeal to international guests.
The hotel also had a gym, an esthetic salon, and a dining area. It was great that the check-out time was 12 PM. We skipped breakfast and took our time waking up, opting for a place to eat brunch right near the hotel at a pizzeria that opened at 11:30 AM. After check-out, we left our luggage and went to our first shrine visit of the year.
Experiences during the trip
① Han Zan - Kyotogawa-cho Branch
Each year, I make it a point to visit this place in the spring to enjoy samgyeopsal. The staff cooks it for you, allowing for a leisurely dining experience. There are counter seats, and it has a clean and adult atmosphere, though our family visits with children.
② Pizzeria Da Nagino
This pizzeria, set in the lower town of Naples, faithfully recreates the experience. The owner, who trained in Naples, bakes the pizzas in a special oven imported from Italy. It's just a 2-minute walk from the hotel, and we were able to enjoy authentic pizza, which turned out to be a great find.
③ Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple
Known as a power spot in Kyoto, we went here to buy our new year's rice ears for the first shrine visit of the year. You can also wash your money here.
④ Kyōto Ebisu Shrine
One of the three great Ebisu shrines in Japan. This shrine is the origin of the 福笹 (fukuzasa), the lucky bamboo. You throw coins towards the face of Ebisu on the torii gate. This is something I look forward to each time we go, and since it's close to Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple, we visit them together for the first shrine visit of the year.