京都駅前ひふみ旅館（HifumiRyokan Kyoto station)

Very friendly team will look after you. Location was perfect (near the train station so we could leave our bags and explore). We sadly did not try food but looked good. We were glad to try ryokan experience. We also tried onsen which was for free - we went in the morning at 6.30am and for both male and female baths- there was no one there, I also took my daughter. You can go even if you have tattoos. It was nice little private experience. It was perfect stay for us. The only thing I would say this is not going to be the same as small wooden houses in gion but if the location to station is important to you is a perfect little spot. We had great night of sleep. (We only stayed for one night)

Location and service

Lovely Japanese hospitality & welcome. Our shoes were dedicated a special area in reception on a shelf with our family name written in Japanese & English. The room was furnished in Japanese style with screens, tatami flooring & very comfortable futons. The Japanese toilet in our room was remarkable with a heated seat & buttons with different bidet functions. We are vegetarian & explained “no doshi “ (meat or fish stock or items) & breakfast was very generous - different types of tofu, egg, seaweed, nori, pickles, green tea, rice etc - beautifully presented. The staff were kind & welcoming & 1 staff member went the extra mile to print out top 10 sites & explain to us what to see & how to get there - he even said hello when we crossed paths in the street & gave us sightseeing advice while we walked together. The onsen area was well maintained & we enjoyed the system of public bath. We were invited to use our Japanese house clothes at breakfast & this added to the authenticity of our Japanese Ryoken stay.

The slippers were very large for me(size 3 female) but hotel allowed me to use children size slippers. If you are not a soya sauce fan maybe request soya sauce separate for breakfast - as one of the egg dishes was served with this added in the dish

The property is accessible to restaurants and some of the tourist attractions

The shower room is very small

The yukatas supplied, tea, kindness of the staff, clean and accessible onsen. Dinner and breakfast were delicious works of art.

Not used to sleeping in futon on floor and sitting on floor as westerners!