HiiragiyavsKyoto Itoya Hotel
Kyoto Itoya Hotel and Hiiragiya are both praised by travel writers. Overall, Hiiragiya ranks significantly higher than Kyoto Itoya Hotel. Hiiragiya has a TripExpert Score of 92 with endorsements from 9 reviewers including Oyster, Lonely Planet and Hideaway Report.
Hiiragiya
277 Nakahakusancho, Huyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8094
From $904/night
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Concierge
- Restaurant
- Multilingual
Insight Guides
"A well-known and timeless ryokan, dating from the mid-19th century. Expensive, but a Kyoto experience."
Travel + Leisure
"Among Kyoto’s most illustrious ryokan... this 145-year-old staple includes a kaiseki dinner served in your room." Full review
Time Out
"Much has been written about Hiiragiya since it opened in 1861, usually rich with superlatives. Along with its cross-street neighbour Tawaraya, it’s considered the city’s greatest ryokan." Full review
Star Service
"This hostelry is widely acknowledged as one of the best traditional ryokan in Japan, a claim shared with the Tawaraya directly across the narrow street." Full review
i
Room 14, a favorite of Kawabata, is among the most requested.
Oyster
4.0
"With a history dating back to 1818, the luxury Hiiragiya is a Japanese inn ("ryokan") located in the middle of Kyoto that takes pride in upholding traditional customs." Full review
Hideaway Report
96.0
"Classic family-owned inn set in a traditional wooden house dating from 1818, located on a charming side street in the heart of the city." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler
"Creaky floors, cypress tubs with hot steam water, and tatami mats heighten the senses at each turn. You feel incredibly special every minute you are here." Full review
Frommer's
"Hiiragiya represents the quintessential traditional Japanese inn...it has all the design characteristics of a fine old inn, with simple yet elegant tatami rooms decorated with art and antiques. " Full review
Lonely Planet
Top choice
"This elegant ryokan has long been favoured by celebrities from around the world. Facilities and services are excellent and the location is hard to beat." Full review
Michelin Guide
"While all twenty-eight rooms are different...utterly traditional, constructed with first-rate skill and decorated with arts and crafts (stained glass, woodwork, kakejiku scrolls) by master artisans." Full review
Kyoto Itoya Hotel
712 Yakushimae-cho, Karasumarudori, Matsubaranoboru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8416
From $84/night
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Laundry Service
- Smoking Rooms
- Dry Cleaning
- Air Conditioning
Oyster
Mid-Range
"The 65-room Kyoto Itoya Hotel is a centrally located mid-range option close to public transportation, shops, and eateries." Full review
Michelin Guide
"This hotel offers five types of room, ranging in size from 16㎡ to 23㎡. The décor is simple, the furnishings are compact and the colour scheme is a subdued brown that uses natural wood grain. " Full review
Lonely Planet
"Good things come in small packages at Itoya – the rooms aren't huge but they are stylish, contemporary and excellent value." Full review