HiiragiyavsSumiya Ryokan
Sumiya Ryokan and Hiiragiya are both rated very highly by professional reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, Hiiragiya ranks significantly higher than Sumiya Ryokan. Hiiragiya is ranked #2 in Kyoto with approval from 7 reviews including oyster.com, Fodor's and Travel + Leisure.
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
Sumiya Ryokan
433 Shirakabecho, Nakagyo-ku, Fuyacho Sanjo-kudaru, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8075
From $0/night
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Air Conditioning
- Refrigerator
Frommer's
"Like the other traditional Japanese inns listed here, the 100-year-old Sumiya has a great location in a typical Kyoto neighborhood just a few minutes' walk from bustling downtown." Full review
i
The oldest rooms employ a striking variety of different woods in their design (be sure to notice the Edo-Era designs on the sliding doors), while rooms in a 45-year-old addition may have sliding screen doors that open onto a private garden.