HiiragiyavsShunkoin Temple Guest House
Hiiragiya and Shunkoin Temple Guest House are both endorsed by those who travel for a living. Overall, Hiiragiya ranks significantly higher than Shunkoin Temple Guest House. Hiiragiya scores 92 with approval from 9 sources including Frommer's, Insight Guides and Oyster.
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
Shunkoin Temple Guest House
42 Myoshinji-cho, Hanazono, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8035
From $0/night
- Free Internet
- Free Parking
- Kitchenette
- Air Conditioning
Fodor's
"Visiting Kyoto's temples gives you a taste of the city's history, but staying in one is a more intimate way of experiencing the past. ... Rooms are comfortable but appropriately ascetic." Full review
Time Out
"Not many temple lodgings come furnished with wireless internet, air-conditioning and a kitchen, but these rooms within the grounds of the Myoshin-ji complex are surprisingly comfy." Full review
Frommer's
"For a different kind of experience, consider staying at this Buddhist temple, established in 1590." Full review
Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"This is a shukubō, or temple lodging, at a subtemple in Myōshin-ji. It’s very comfortable and quiet and the main priest here speaks fluent English." Full review