SOWAKA

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In the heart of Kyoto, SOWAKA offers a serene retreat with its lush garden and tranquil terrace. Unwind with a deep-tissue massage, indulge in local flavors at the restaurant, or explore nearby Maruyama Park and Kawaramachi Street on bike rentals. Connect to free WiFi, enjoy concierge services, and feel at ease with helpful staff who have left lasting impressions on previous guests.
VIP Access

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by guests
Top-rated by travellers

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • Bar
  • Laundry facilities

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Breakfast available
  • Room service
  • Spa services
  • Terrace
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Garden
  • Front desk safe
  • Laundry service
  • Self-serve laundry
  • Concierge services

Feel at home (6)

  • Fridge
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bath and shower
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
The current price is £597
additional charges may apply
8 Jun - 9 Jun

Why we love this property

Dining options galore
Continental breakfast starts the day at this hotel's welcoming restaurant. After sightseeing, culinary explorers can unwind at the inviting bar.
Spa retreat heaven
Deep-tissue massages at the spa and soothing soaks in deep bathtubs await. The garden offers a natural haven for post-treatment tranquility.
Lavish comfort awaits
Curated rooms feature premium bedding and down comforters for sublime rest. Heated floors, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showers elevate the luxury.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 22 of 22 rooms

101:Deluxe Room with Private Garden, 1 Queen Bed(Main)

  • 50 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

102:Deluxe Room with Private Garden, Hollywood Twin(Main)

  • 51 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

103:Deluxe Room with Garden View, Hollywood Twin(Main)

  • Garden view
  • 54 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

104:Deluxe Maisonette with Tea Ceremony Room, Hollywood Twin(Main)

  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

105:Superior Room with Garden View, Skip Floor, Queen Bed(Main)

  • Garden view
  • 39 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

106:Deluxe Room with Higashiyama View, Twin Bed(Main)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 59 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Large Single Beds

107: Deluxe Room with Naguri Wall, Twin Bed(Main)

  • 62 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Large Single Beds

108:Suite Room HORAGAI NO MA with Garden View, Hollywood Twin(Main)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 97 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

110:Standard Room with Higashiyama View, Double Bed(Main)

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

111:Superior Casita Room, Queen Bed(Main)

  • 34 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

201:Deluxe Room with Open-air Bath, Courtyard View, King Bed(Annex)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 52 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

202:Deluxe Room with Tatami Space, Courtyard View, King Bed(Annex)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 49 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

203:Deluxe Room with Open-air Bath and Tatami Space, Garden View, King Bed(Annex)

  • 47 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

204:Junior Suite with Tatami Space, Garden View, King Bed(Annex)

  • 70 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

205:Deluxe Room with Open-air Bath, Courtyard View, King Bed(Annex)

  • 44 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

206:Superior room with Balcony, Courtyard View, Queen Bed(Annex)

  • 43 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

208:Deluxe Room with Balcony, Courtyard View, King Bed(Annex)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 45 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

207:Deluxe Room with Courtyard View Bath, King Bed(Annex)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 56 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

209:Superior Room with City View, King Bed(Annex)

  • 47 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

212:Superior Room with Garden View, King Bed(Annex)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 48 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

211:Deluxe Room with Courtyard View Bath, Higashiyama View, King Bed(Annex)

  • 58 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

210:Standard Room with City View, Queen Bed(Annex)

  • City view
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the area

Map
480 Kiyoi-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0821

What's nearby

  • Kodai-ji Temple - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Yasaka Shrine - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Gion Corner - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Kiyomizu Temple - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Kawaramachi Street - 11 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Osaka (ITM-Itami) - 65 min drive
  • Kobe (UKB) - 105 min drive
  • Osaka (KIX-Kansai Intl.) - 110 min drive
  • Gion-shijo Station - 10 min walk
  • Kyoto Kawaramachi Station - 12 min walk
  • Sanjo Station - 16 min walk
  • Higashiyama Station - 13 min walk
  • Sanjo Keihan Station - 14 min walk
  • Keage Station - 22 min walk

Restaurants

  • ‪京都勝牛 祇園八坂店 - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Hario Cafe Kyoto - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪特級ラーメン - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪ラーメン 勝鞍 - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪札幌かに家 京都店 - ‬2 min walk

About this property

SOWAKA

You'll be in a fantastic location at SOWAKA, only a five-minute walk from Maruyama Park and Kodai-ji Temple. Guests indulge in deep-tissue massages, then grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. Other highlights at this luxurious hotel include a bar/lounge, a terrace and a garden. Fellow travellers say great things about the helpful staff. The property is only a short walk to public transportation: Higashiyama Station is 13 minutes and Sanjo Keihan Station is 14 minutes.

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 23 rooms
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
    • Early check-in subject to availability
    • Late check-in subject to availability
    • Check-out time is 11:00 AM
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
    • To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
    • If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
DONE

Children

    • No cots (infant beds)
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
    • Service animals welcome
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • No on-site parking
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Continental breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:30 AM–9:00 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge
  • Room service (limited hours)

Services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry services
  • Free newspapers in reception
  • Luggage storage
  • Bike hire

Facilities

  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Spa services

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • Tablet computer

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled) and heating
  • Minibar
  • Electric kettle
  • Bathrobes and slippers

Sleep well

  • Down duvet
  • Turndown service
  • Premium bedding

What to enjoy

  • Individually furnished and decorated
  • Heated floors

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Deep-soaking bath
  • Separate bath and shower
  • Rainfall shower heads
  • Bidet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toilet paper

Stay connected

  • Free WiFi

Food and drink

  • Fridge
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe

Special features

Spa

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the on-site spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages and massages.

Fees & policies

Mandatory fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or checkout. Fees may include applicable taxes:
  • A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 100-10,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

Optional extras

  • Continental breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately JPY 6000 per person
  • Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)

Policies

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels etc). Additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
This property does not have lifts.
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a fire extinguisher on-site.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
This property accepts credit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB International, Union Pay
Up to 2 dogs are permitted in 111:Superior Casita Room, Pet-friendly, Queen Bed(Main). There is no charge for 1 dog in the room; the listed pet fee is charged only if there is an additional dog in the room.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Also known as

SOWAKA Hotel Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel
SOWAKA Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel
SOWAKA Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel Kyoto
Luxury hotel SOWAKA

Frequently asked questions

Does SOWAKA offer free cancellation for a full refund?

Yes, SOWAKA does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.

Are pets allowed at SOWAKA?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.

Is parking offered on site at SOWAKA?

Sorry, there's no on-site parking at SOWAKA.

What are the check-in and check-out times at SOWAKA?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. There's a charge for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

What is there to do at SOWAKA and nearby?

SOWAKA has spa services and a garden.

Are there restaurants at or near SOWAKA?

Yes, there's an on-site restaurant.

Does SOWAKA have rooms with private hot tubs?

Yes, each room has a deep-soaking bath.

What's the area around SOWAKA like?

SOWAKA is a short 10-minute walk from Gion-shijo Station and 3 minutes' walk from Shijo Street.

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Reviews

SOWAKA Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

9.8

Staff & service

9.8

Property conditions & facilities

Guest review summary

What guests liked

  • Breakfast was a great way to start the day, with a lovely taste and friendly price. (4 reviews)
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From real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Popular mentions

Room
Service staff
Location
Restaurant
Breakfast
Food

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent location - walking distance to restaurants and many temples and parks - room was well organized
Peter, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful, amazing service, great location and climate control in the room was a little challenging.
Michael, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Great hotel in a nice location with excellent service
Ajay, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Best Breakfast & Great Location.
VIPUL, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Great service, stylish westernized ryokan atmosphere. Amazing meal service and location
Ajay, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

The staff went above and beyond in taking care of my husband and myself during our visit. They helped with meal reservations/suggestions, calling taxis, and generally being incredibly welcoming.
Sarah, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing property!
Alan, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Lovely ryokan in the middle of the insanity. Was so nice returning here at the end of the day with all the tourists around you it’s just one simple door from the street and you’re transported to the oasis of Sowaka. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Even gave us really great tips for somewhere in Osaka on our next stop. Would stay again and just stay inside enjoying the peace and quiet of the hotel.
Michael, 2-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

Unique property with excellent staff.
Phyllis, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

An amazing hotel & wonderful team!

We had an amazing stay at SOWAKA in Kyoto - the team at the hotel were incredibly helpful & welcoming throughout our stay. The hotel is stunning & perfectly located in the most historic & traditional part of Kyoto - literally a few steps away from a beautiful temple. We would definitely recommend the Japanese breakfast option & the team in the restaurant were incredibly attentive and accommodating of my wife’s dietary requirements - nothing was too much trouble. An amazing experience from start to finish & we’ll definitely return!
Kevin, 4-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent location…great service
Wai Yin, 5-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing stay.

Staff was amazing. One of the best places to stay if you want to witness the heart of Gion. Close to everything while being in a quiet and beautiful location.
Andrew, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful Roykan and excellent location! Excellent service. The restaurant was amazing. Definitely recommend!
Carmen, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Come Stay

Wonderful traditional hotel with excellent service. Rooms are large and comfortable.
Clay, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

I love everything about this place - I hope to come again with my parents. The amenities were great and the dinning experience was beautiful. I really enjoyed my stay here from the moment we entered the door.
Kim, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Most fabulous stay

Anything from the superb service to the quality of the rooms to the food at the restaurant was top notch. Couldn't recommend this hotel more. Beds are slightly on the firm side but that's literally the only "negative" thing I have to say.
Tana, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

It was a truly wonderful stay with a very welcoming and warm team. My room was a real delight, and the kaiseki dinner was simply exquisite. I thoroughly enjoyed my two nights at Sowaka and only wished I could have extended my stay.
Myriam, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful new hotel. Modern with traditional touches. Loved the private garden directly in front of the bed. A traditional wooden tub in the room was a great touch. The service was the best!
Michael, 4-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

The best hotel and the best service I have ever been experienced! The breakfast’s taste surprised me with a very friendly price. Every staff there are very thoughtful!
Lina, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

This hotel was just amazing. The location, design, uniqueness, rooms and especially the staff were top notch. We couldn’t recommend it enough. They went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. We can’t recommend this hotel enough.
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

One of the best hotel stays I’ve ever had! This was truly a luxury experience. The staff and house keeping were so thoughtful and attentive to our every need. The property was super clean and had a beautiful lobby, bar and restaurant. I would love to stay here again one day.
Brittney, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

A perfect experience in Kyoto

One of the most magical experiences of all our trips we've ever taken! A gem of a hotel. One of a kind experience. And incredibly helpful staff.
Phillip, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing Experience!

My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon and it was amazing! The hospitality and attention to detail in service will not be beat. And the hotel grounds itself are beautifully traditional. If we return to Kyoto, we will absolutely stay here again
Stephanie, 4-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent service ! Staffs are exceedingly friendly and helpful. The room is nicely furnished with chill vibe. Really enjoyable.
Chi yuen, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

The staff and management did everything to make my stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable! I have been to many hotels in kyoto. This one definitely stands out.
nouf, 3-night trip