Garden View
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[ KIKU ]
Autumn leaves view
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KIKU 58m²
HONKAN Main Building 1F · Garden side · Smoking permitted on terrace
HONKAN Main Building — 7 Rooms Garden-view rooms
Garden View
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[ TAKE ]
Autumn leaves view
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TAKE 62m²
HONKAN Main Building 1F · Garden side · Smoking permitted on terrace
Garden View
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[ MATSU ]
Autumn leaves view
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MATSU 62m²
HONKAN Main Building 2F · Garden side · Smoking permitted on terrace
Premium
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[ TSURUKAME · 10-mat main room ]
Autumn leaves view
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TSURUKAME 92m²
HONKAN Main Building 2F · Garden side · Smoking permitted on terrace
Suite
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[ YUGIRI · Maisonette ]
Autumn leaves view
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YUGIRI 70m²
HONKAN Main Building 1F · Maisonette · Smoking permitted on terrace
Garden View
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[ UKIFUNE ]
Autumn leaves view
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UKIFUNE 54m²
HONKAN Main Building 1F · Garden side · Smoking permitted on terrace
Garden View
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[ HORAI ]
Autumn leaves view
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HORAI 51m²
HONKAN Main Building 2F · Garden side · Smoking permitted on terrace
BEKKAN Annex Building — 9 Rooms Simple tatami rooms
BEKKAN Annex Building · 10 Tatami
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[ BEKKAN Standard Family Room ]
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BEKKAN Standard Family Room 33m²
BEKKAN Annex Building 2F · Non-smoking · 3 rooms
BEKKAN Annex Building · 8 Tatami
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[ BEKKAN Standard Japanese Room ]
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BEKKAN Standard Japanese Room 30m²
BEKKAN Annex Building 2F · Non-smoking · 3 rooms
BEKKAN Annex Building · 6 Tatami
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[ BEKKAN Economy Japanese Room ]
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BEKKAN Economy Japanese Room 24m²
BEKKAN Annex Building 2F · Non-smoking · 3 rooms
Garden View
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[ Choose the HONKAN Main Building ]
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Also consider the HONKAN Main Building
With open-air bath & garden terrace
Cuisine Dining
With room and meals booked separately, you are free to explore Kyoto your way: dine with us, or discover the city’s restaurants. Choose the package that suits your stay: room only, bed & breakfast, or a dinner package.
KAISEKI Kyoto cuisine
Kyo-kaisekiAbove all, Kyoto cuisine has always been about the season. Generous use of seasonal ingredients and Kyoto vegetables, served on pottery, porcelain and lacquerware chosen to reflect the time of year: Kyoto cuisine as only a ryotei-ryokan can offer. Everything is additive-free and handmade by our chefs.
- Dinner ¥22,770 (tax & service included)
- You may also enjoy it at leisure in your room. In-room dining is available for an additional ¥3,300 per person.
- Available with the Luxury KAISEKI Dinner Package.
- Older primary-school children are served a Japanese set dinner, with yudofu and a Shokado bento for breakfast. Younger children receive a children’s bento for dinner and a children’s breakfast plate.
WagyuSUKIYAKI
SukiyakiThe ryotei-style sukiyaki once reserved for long-staying and overseas guests, now available even for a one-night stay. Made with select A5 Japanese beef, carefully chosen by Yachiyo’s ryotei kitchen.
- Dinner¥15,180 (tax & service included)
- Hassun, mukozuke (sashimi), hot pot, pickles, rice, dessert
- Served at our garden restaurant “Ryotei Yachiyo.” As cooking produces smoke, it cannot be served in guest rooms.
- Older primary-school children are served sukiyaki; younger children, a children’s bento.
Wagyu SHABUSHABU
Shabu-shabuThe ryotei-style shabu-shabu once reserved for long-staying and overseas guests, now available even for a one-night stay. Made with select A5 Japanese Kuroge Wagyu, carefully chosen by Yachiyo’s ryotei kitchen.
- Dinner ¥15,180 (tax & service included)
- Hassun, mukozuke (sashimi), hot pot, pickles, rice, dessert
- Served at our garden restaurant “Ryotei Yachiyo.” In-room dining is available for an additional ¥3,300 per person.
- Older primary-school children are served shabu-shabu; younger children, a children’s bento.
YUDOFU breakfast
Nanzenji YudofuBreakfast at Yachiyo means yudofu, the dish synonymous with Nanzen-ji. Kyoto tofu, freshly made each morning, is simmered with nothing but Rishiri kombu and served with Yachiyo’s own rich “koikuchi” yudofu sauce, prepared daily from dashi, the lifeblood of a ryotei. Every element is made by hand.
- Breakfast ¥3,300
- Also available at dinner on request.
Kyoto's water
Behind Kyoto's cuisine lies its water. The same soft water that shapes our dashi and our morning tofu is also one of the great secrets of good Japanese sake – a gift of Kyoto's water, soil and people. With dinner, a glass of Kyoto sake is definitely worth a try.
About Ryotei Yachiyo
Our Garden Restaurant
Beside Nanzen-ji Temple, Yachiyo is
a place for Kyoto cuisine and the garden.
Yachiyo's garden restaurant is not simply a ryotei but a “Ryotei” of cuisine and garden: a space where you can fully savour the Kyoto cuisine of a long-established ryotei together with a garden by Ueji. Enjoy yudofu, the famous specialty of Nanzen-ji, and Kyoto cuisine while gazing out over the garden of Ogawa Jihei.
01The History of Yachiyo
Yachiyo began in the Azuchi-Momoyama period as a fish wholesaler permitted to serve the Imperial Palace. Old records note that in 1588 (Tensho 16), in the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it was entrusted with a grand banquet at the Jurakudai palace in Kyoto. From that time on it also operated as a ryotei, a traditional Japanese restaurant, and was cherished by many.
Shortly after the Second World War, Yachiyo began running a ryotei and ryokan at Nanzen-ji, a place associated with Ueda Akinari and Ogawa Jihei, and it continues to uphold the refined spirit of Kyoto today.
02“Ryotei”: Kyoto Cuisine and Garden, Together
Savour seasonal Kyoto cuisine and yudofu while gazing at the Seiryu-tei garden, with the Higashiyama hills as its borrowed scenery. It is a space to fully enjoy the Kyoto cuisine of a long-established ryotei alongside a garden by the master gardener Ueji.
Table seating facing the approach to Nanzen-ji Temple, sunken kotatsu seating modelled on the box seats of a kabuki theatre, tatami rooms overlooking the illuminated Seiryu-tei garden: each visit reveals a different face.
03The Seiryu-tei: A Pond-and-Landscape Garden
The garden seen from the restaurant is the work of Ogawa Jihei, known as “Ueji,” one of Japan's foremost modern garden designers, who also created the gardens of Heian Shrine, Murin-an and Maruyama Park. Like a scene cut from nature itself, the garden skilfully draws on the abundant water of the Lake Biwa Canal, and its carefully placed plants colour every season. Take your time gazing at the garden, and you will forget you are in the city, drawn into a moment of stillness.
Many of the gardens Ueji created in the Nanzen-ji area, including Tairyu-sanso, Nomura Hekiun-so, the Hosokawa Villa and the Seiryutei Villa garden, are privately owned.
Mebae-kai
Member of the National Federation of Mebae-kai
Mebae-kai began in the early Showa era, when young restaurant owners came together to explore new ways of running a restaurant. Today it is a nationwide association devoted to refining the culinary trade. Ryotei Yachiyo is a member, taking part in its work to pass on authentic cuisine from across Japan.
8.8
★★★★★ Tripadvisor
1,132
Guest Reviews
16
Rooms in Total
111
Years since 1915
Guest Reviews
In Our Guests' Words
A selection of comments from guests who have stayed with us.
From InstagramOur official account, and moments guests captured at Yachiyo
From Guests in JapanTranslated from Japanese by Yachiyo
Tranquillity & Dining8/10
A Kyoto ryokan where time slips away
“Even during Golden Week, when the sightseeing spots were crowded, this area was very quiet and we could truly relax. The kaiseki dinner and the breakfast were delicious, and we enjoyed our meals while taking in the beautiful garden.”
Garden & Baths9/10
Pure elegance
“The garden and the bath were wonderful.”
Ryotei8/10
“We enjoyed a delicious dinner and breakfast in front of the large garden, with festive Japanese music that felt like New Year and beautifully chosen tableware.”
Autumn Leaves8/10
“The location was excellent, and the staff were kind and helpful. Dinner at Yachiyo was delicious, and the autumn leaves were stunning.”
Location & Dining10/10
Completely satisfied.
“Great location. We were completely satisfied with the meals, too.”
Garden & Cuisine10/10
“The garden is beautiful, and the food is delicious.”
From International GuestsOriginal reviews on Booking.com
Long Stay & Family10/10
Nine perfect days
“We stayed at Yachiyo for 9 days and it's perfect. The staff are warm & professional. Feeding the fish in the garden after breakfast was our favourite time. … We have a 3 year old who loved the whole experience.”
Ryotei & Kaiseki10/10
A beautiful ryokan and garden restaurant
“The staff were friendly and attentive, greeting us with a matcha tea ceremony. Highly recommend the garden restaurant for a tradition kaiseki dinner.”
Hospitality & Dining10/10
Beyond expectations
“From the moment we arrived, we were shown great hospitality and care from staff … The breakfast and dinner sets were some of the best food we had while in Japan, and the private onsen was an incredible first-time experience.”
Garden & Location10/10
A quiet oasis of traditional Japan
“The garden in the back is stunning and makes the perfect backdrop for a peaceful traditional Japanese style breakfast. … The staff is very friendly and accomodating. The location is also ideal with close walking distance to many temples and the Philosopher's Path.”
Travelling with a Baby10/10
Peaceful days in Kyoto
“A wonderful introduction to Kyoto in a peaceful and calming location. The staff were incredibly welcoming to us and our 6 month year old baby, including offering to entertain him whilst we enjoyed our food (which was delicious).”
Breakfast & Koi Pond10/10
A special experience
“The breakfast was amazing, we had dinner there too which was so special. the koi pond is so wonderful. The staff in every interaction were so freindly and helpful.”
Source: guest reviews posted on Booking.com (excerpts; reviews from guests in Japan translated by Yachiyo, international reviews shown in their original English). Instagram posts are displayed using Instagram's embed feature.
Renovation History
Caring for a Historic House
Established in 1915 (Taisho 4), in a HONKAN Main Building built in 1890 (Meiji 23). Making the most of our historic buildings and traditional furnishings, we continue to renew our hinoki cypress baths, sauna and bedding, and to care for our spaces with Kyo-karakami, Kyoto tatami and Kitayama cedar.
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1994
BEKKAN Annex Building built
BEKKAN Annex Building guest room -
2009–2016
Phase 1 Renovation: HONKAN Main Building Rooms with Garden Baths
While preserving the character of our historic HONKAN Main Building, we renovated its rooms to include private hinoki baths overlooking the garden and comfortable amenities for your stay.
- Kiku (2009–2010) Renovation of the room and bath, adding a semi-open-air garden bath in solid hinoki and a garden terrace
- Take & Matsu (2014–2015) Renovation of the rooms and baths, adding semi-open-air garden baths in solid hinoki and garden terraces
- Tsurukame (2015–2016) Renovation adding a semi-open-air bath in solid hinoki, a garden terrace, Yachiyo's first bedroom with beds, a kitchenette and a fully automatic washing machine
Kiku: garden terrace and semi-open-air garden bath 
Take: garden bath in solid hinoki 
Tsurukame: semi-open-air bath in solid hinoki cypress 
Tsurukame: bedroom -
2010 Summer
Grand reopening as the garden restaurant “Ryotei Yachiyo”
After a major renovation, our traditional ryotei was reborn as “Ryotei” — a garden restaurant where long-established Kyoto cuisine and a celebrated garden are savoured with all five senses.
“Ryotei Yachiyo,” overlooking the celebrated garden -
2017.4
HONKAN Main Building rooms “Ukifune” and “Horai” renovated with semi-open-air hinoki cypress garden baths and garden terraces
Ukifune: garden bath in solid hinoki cypress 
Horai: semi-open-air garden bath 
Horai: garden terrace -
2021.4
HONKAN Main Building maisonette room “Yugiri” renovated
A maisonette with a steam sauna by TYLOHELO of Sweden, a hinoki cypress bath and a Western-style bedroom.
Yugiri: steam sauna 
Yugiri: hinoki cypress bath and sauna 
Yugiri: Western-style room -
2023
Lounge renovated
Massage chairs and a relaxation bar were added.
-
2025
New bedding and air conditioning in the HONKAN Main Building and BEKKAN Annex Building / New hinoki cypress bath and floor heating in “Kiku”
Bedding was renewed throughout the ryokan. In “Kiku,” the hinoki cypress bath and floor heating were replaced and the traditional jurakukabe clay walls restored.
Kiku: hinoki cypress bath 
New bedding -
2026
New Kyo-karakami fusuma, Kawashima Selkon textiles, sauna and garden “yuka” terrace
- BEKKAN Annex Building (March) New Kyo-karakami fusuma sliding doors in the 10-, 8- and 6-tatami rooms
- Take New Kyo-karakami fusuma sliding doors
- Matsu Fusuma finished with Kawashima Selkon textiles and handcrafted Kyo-karakami
- Yugiri New sauna equipment
- Garden Restaurant Garden “yuka” terrace renewed
Matsu: fusuma detail 
Take BEKKAN Annex Building: fusuma sliding doors -
Kitayama Cedar Terraces
Garden terraces of HONKAN Main Building rooms “Take,” “Matsu,” “Ukifune” and “Horai” restored
The garden terraces were restored using Kitayama cedar. In “Ukifune” and “Horai,” the interiors were also refreshed with Kyo-karakami, new Kyoto tatami and new air conditioning.
Take: garden terrace 
Matsu: terrace 
Ukifune: garden terrace
On the MICHELIN Keys
Grateful for the ryokan's place among the world's hotels
The MICHELIN Guide's Keys are one of the world's measures of an exceptional stay. We are grateful that Japanese ryokan are recognised in this selection alongside the great international hotels. To us, it shows the value the world now sees in the ryokan tradition itself.
Yachiyo did not receive a Key this year. We take this as a goal to work towards. Season by season, we will keep caring for our 1890 HONKAN Main Building, our Ueji garden and our kitchen, and continue our efforts to earn that recognition.
Onsen Culture and UNESCO
Supporting the registration of “Onsen Culture” as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
We support the movement to register Japan's “Onsen Culture” as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Onsen culture is a gift of nature that has healed people's minds and bodies for centuries. It is a treasured source of pride for Japan and a unique part of the world's heritage.
Onsen resorts and inns, often set in beautiful landscapes, play a vital role in passing this culture on to future generations. Today they face an ageing population, a shortage of investment and a lack of workers since the Covid-19 pandemic. To protect onsen culture and hand it down, we believe now is the time for UNESCO registration, and we hope it will give new strength to everyone who works in these places. We would be grateful for your support.
— Best Rate Guarantee
Stay Plans
Book DirectBooking through our official website always gets you the best rate.
Choose the plan that suits the season and your itinerary. Discount packages cannot be combined.
Private Events
Celebrations and gatherings
Room Only
— Room Only
Customizable Room-Only Package - Make your original Ryokan experience!
Room only. Dine out in Kyoto, or add meals at Yachiyo as you like.
No meals included · From ¥16,500 per adult
View plan
20% OFF
— 2 Nights
20% Discount 2nights package!!/ Customizable Room-Only Package
Kyoto is a vast historic city. Unlike Hakone or Takayama, it cannot be seen in a day, so plan more days here than in Tokyo or Osaka. Stay two nights, with Nanzen-ji as your base.
For stays of 2 nights · From ¥16,500 per adult
View plan
30% OFF
— 3 Nights
30% Discount 3nights package!!/Customizable Room-Only Package
Our best value for longer stays: live in Kyoto like a local.
For stays of 3 nights · From ¥16,500 per adult
View plan
30% OFF
— Group
30% Discount Group package!!/Customizable Room-Only Package
Share a spacious tatami room with family and friends.
Groups of 3 or more · From ¥16,500 per adult
View plan
10–30% OFF
— Last Minute
10%-30% Discount Last Minute!!/Customizable Without Meals Package
Spontaneous trip? Stay at a special rate when rooms are available.
Book 14 days or less before arrival · From ¥45,300 per adult
View plan
10–20% OFF
— Early Booking
10%-20% Discount Early Booking!!/Customizable Room-Only Package
Plan ahead and save. Room only, so you can add meals to suit your stay.
Book 60 days or more ahead · From ¥16,500 per adult
View plan
Breakfast
— Breakfast
Bed and TOFU Breakfast Package
Start the day with yudofu, the simmered tofu Nanzen-ji is famous for.
Breakfast included · From ¥18,700 per adult
View plan
Dinner
— Kaiseki
Luxury KAISEKI Dinner Package
Seasonal Kyoto kaiseki from our ryotei kitchen.
Dinner included · From ¥36,300 per adult
View plan
Dinner
— Sukiyaki
Luxury WAGYU Beef SUKIYAKI Dinner Package
Wagyu sukiyaki, prepared in the ryotei style.
Dinner included · From ¥36,300 per adult
View plan
Dinner
— Shabu-shabu
Luxury WAGYU Beef SHABUSHABU Dinner Package
Wagyu shabu-shabu, swished in a delicate broth.
Dinner included · From ¥36,300 per adult
View plan
Dinner
— Vegetarian / Gluten-free
WASHOKU Vegetarian or gluten free hot pot Package.
A Japanese hot pot dinner for vegetarian or gluten-free guests.
Dinner included · From ¥27,500 per adult
View plan
* Plan names and rates are as shown on our booking page. Plans cannot be combined; rates vary by date and room.
Family-Friendly Ryokan
Travelling with children
- Family RoomBEKKAN Standard Family Room, 33m²: a 10-mat tatami room with an engawa and en-suite bath. See the room →
- Children's mealsChildren's bento for dinner and a children's breakfast plate, or the same meals as adults.
- Group package30% off for groups of 3 or more – ideal for families. View plan →
- Kids love itThe zoo is an 8-minute walk. Find more family spots on our Kyoto map →
| Children aged 6–16 | |
|---|---|
| Same meals as adults, with child bedding (no meals on room-only plans) | 80% of adult rate |
| Adult-style breakfast, with child bedding | 60% of adult rate |
| Children aged 6–12 | |
| Children's meals, with child bedding | 50% of adult rate |
| No meals, with child bedding | 40% of adult rate |
| Infants aged 3–5 | |
|---|---|
| Infant dinner & breakfast, with child bedding | ¥5,500 |
| Infant breakfast, with child bedding | ¥4,400 |
| No meals, with child bedding | ¥4,400 |
| No meals, sharing a parent's futon | ¥3,300 |
| Infants under 3 | |
| No meals, sharing a parent's futon | ¥1,100 |
Rates are per child, per night. Please tell us the number and ages of children when you book.
Stay Longer
At a Japanese ryokan,
At a Japanese ryokan,
longer stays offer the best value.
With room and meals booked separately, from your second night you are free to dine at restaurants in Gion or Okazaki, or to savour Kyoto cuisine at leisure with us. With Nanzen-ji as your base — the garden in the morning, temples and shrines by day, evening illuminations at night — you can travel Kyoto as if you lived here.
- You stay in the same room throughout, and can choose it when you book
- Add dinner and breakfast only on the days you need them
Early Check-in Package
Arriving in the morning? Your room is already waiting.
Overnight flights and early trains often arrive hours before the usual 15:00 check-in. Book your room from the night before you arrive, and you can check in from 9:00 on the morning you reach Kyoto. Rest, bathe and change, then begin your first day in Nanzen-ji refreshed.
- Enter the date you will arrive in Kyoto.
- We open our live availability from the night before your arrival.
- Choose a room that is available on both nights and book a 2-night stay.
- Let us know your arrival time, and check in from 9:00 on your arrival day.
First Time at a Ryokan? Ryokan and Hotels: What's the Difference
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. Wherever you stay, you will find tatami floors, futon bedding and a Japanese bath; depending on the inn, there may also be personal room service by attendants and kaiseki cuisine. A Western-style hotel is well equipped and offers a familiar standard anywhere in the world, and is ranked by stars for its facilities, efficiency and service. Most ryokan, by contrast, are privately owned, and their atmosphere and way of doing things differ greatly from one inn to the next. Some keep the old ways of Japan; others have become a hybrid of ryokan and hotel. Each is shaped by the values of its owners, so that guests can enjoy their time in Kyoto to the full – something no star rating can measure.
Why a ryokan in Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan's capital for more than a thousand years, a city of arts, tradition and history. Many Japanese travellers come here to rediscover their own culture: the comfort of tatami, the depth of Kyoto cuisine. A ryokan lets you live the essentials – food, shelter and clothing – the Japanese way, shaped by the taste of its owners. An experience you won't find anywhere else in the world.
Nanzen-ji, Kyoto's villa district
From the Meiji period, statesmen and business leaders built grand villas around Nanzen-ji, some used to receive guests. Their gardens drew water from the Lake Biwa Canal and borrowed the Higashiyama hills as scenery. Many villas are still privately owned today. Yachiyo's garden, by Ueji, belongs to this tradition, and the area is close to central Kyoto and Keihan Sanjo Station.
RYOKAN ONE SELECT
Yachiyo is a selected inn of RYOKAN ONE SELECT (Ichi no Yado Club), a group of independent ryokan, most of them small luxury inns with fewer than 30 rooms. Its vision of true luxury: comfort and well-being from the beginning to the end of your stay, extraordinary moments and service of the highest quality – an experience you cannot find anywhere else. Yachiyo has 16 rooms.
| Nanzenji YachiyoTraditional ryokan | Typical hotel | |
|---|---|---|
| Room | Tatami rooms, many looking onto the garden | Carpeted room with furniture |
| Bed | Futons laid out on the tatami by our staff in the evening; some rooms also have beds | Western beds |
| Dining | Kyoto kaiseki and hot pots at Ryotei Yachiyo, overlooking the garden (reservation required). In-room dining from ¥3,300 extra per person. Room-only and breakfast plans let you dine out in Kyoto | Restaurants or a buffet, ordered on the day |
| Bath | Large communal bath and a private bath to reserve (first 45-minute session free). HONKAN Main Building rooms have their own garden baths | Shower or bath in the room |
| What to wear | Yukata provided; you may wear it to meals | Your own clothes |
| Rating | No star system; each inn has its own character | Star ratings (0–5) for facilities and service |
| Times | Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00; we can keep your luggage before and after | Similar |
A few ryokan customs
- Shoes off at the entranceAt Yachiyo, please take off your shoes at the entrance. Tatami is never walked on in shoes or slippers.
- Wearing a yukataWrap the left side over the right, and tie the sash at the waist.
- In the bathWash and rinse at the taps before getting in, and keep towels out of the water. Guests with tattoos are welcome. Bath hours →
- DinnerDinner is served at set times and needs a reservation, so please book your meals ahead.
- Futon timeOur staff come to lay out your futon in the evening; if you'd like it at a different time, just ask.
Our onsen-style Japanese bath
A traditional large Japanese bath for staying guests (not a natural hot spring). In the evening it becomes a private bath you can reserve for your group: your first 45-minute session is free, and from the second session it is ¥4,000. Guests in BEKKAN Annex Building rooms have priority when booking; HONKAN Main Building rooms have their own beautiful garden baths, so there is no need to reserve.
- 6:30–10:00Open to all guests
- 15:00–17:00Open to all guests
- 17:00–22:00Private use · 45-minute sessions, reservation required
- 22:00–24:00Open to all guests
Ryokan traditions exist only in Japan, yet even Japanese travellers sometimes find it hard to choose between a ryokan and a hotel. There is a ryokan to suit your needs and your mood of the moment. More questions? See our FAQ →
FAQ Your Questions Answered
About Ryokan
What is a ryokan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn with tatami rooms, futon bedding, a Japanese bath and seasonal Japanese cuisine. Most ryokan are independent and family-run, so each has its own character. Yachiyo is a garden ryokan by Nanzen-ji Temple, established in 1915.
How is a ryokan different from a hotel?
At a ryokan you stay in a tatami room, sleep on futons laid out by the staff in the evening, wear a yukata and bathe in a Japanese bath. At Yachiyo, Kyoto kaiseki and hot pots are served at Ryotei Yachiyo (reservation required), with in-room dining from ¥3,300 extra per person; room-only and breakfast plans are also available. Hotels usually have Western beds, in-room showers and star ratings, while each ryokan is valued for its own character.
Check-in & Check-out
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00. If you will be arriving late, please let us know in advance.
Can I leave my luggage before check-in or after check-out?
Yes. We are happy to store your luggage at the front desk.
Can I borrow a bicycle?
Yes. Bicycles are available to staying guests: free on the first day, then JPY 1,000 per day from the second day. Please ask at the front desk.
Dining
What meal plans are available?
You can choose room only, bed & breakfast (Bed and TOFU Breakfast Package), or a dinner package (kaiseki, wagyu sukiyaki, wagyu shabu-shabu, or a vegetarian / gluten-free hot pot). Please choose the one that suits your itinerary.
Is dinner included in my reservation?
It depends on your package. Some include breakfast and/or dinner; others are room only. Please check your booking confirmation, or contact us with the name on your reservation if you are unsure. Dinner packages may ask you to choose a menu and dining time in advance.
What dinner menus are available?
Prices are per person: Kyoto kaiseki ¥22,770; Wagyu beef sukiyaki or shabu-shabu ¥10,120 (Select) / ¥15,180 (Premium); Wagyu beef steak ¥15,180; vegetarian hot pot ¥10,120; tofu hot pot ¥4,000; kaiseki bento ¥5,500; children's udon & tempura ¥2,530. Other seasonal dishes and children's meals are also available. Menus and prices may vary by season and package; please choose your menu in advance.
Do I need to reserve dinner in advance?
Yes. So that every dish can be served freshly prepared, all dinners must be reserved in advance. You may choose a start time between 17:00 and 19:30; the restaurant closes at 21:00. To add dinner during your stay, please let the front desk know by the day before.
Where is dinner served?
Dinner is usually served at our garden restaurant “Ryotei Yachiyo,” overlooking the garden. In-room dining is available for an additional ¥3,300 per person (depending on room type and availability).
What time is breakfast?
You may choose a start time of 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00. Breakfast is ¥3,300 per person and can be added until 20:00 the day before (subject to availability).
Can you accommodate vegetarian or vegan diets?
Yes. Our vegetarian hot pot is ¥10,120 per person. Japanese cuisine often uses soy sauce, kombu and fish-based dashi stock, so when you book please tell us exactly which ingredients you avoid – for example meat, fish, fish dashi, eggs, dairy, gluten, soy or alcohol.
Can you accommodate allergies or religious dietary restrictions?
With advance notice, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please let us know which ingredients to avoid, including in dashi stock, seasonings and cooking sake. We may not be able to meet every request. We do not offer halal-certified meals.
Rooms
Can I choose a specific room when booking?
Yes. You can choose your exact room by name from all 16 rooms when you book. Go to Choose your room by name to reach each room's booking page.
What is the difference between the HONKAN Main Building and the BEKKAN Annex Building?
Across our 16 rooms, the HONKAN Main Building and the BEKKAN Annex Building differ in layout, views, baths and architecture. Please read each room's description before booking.
Will I sleep on a bed or a futon?
In our Japanese-style rooms, futons are laid out on the tatami for the night. Some rooms also have beds. Our staff will prepare your futon in the evening.
What amenities are in the room?
Air conditioning, a TV or Apple TV, hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothbrush, towels and yukata. Amenities vary by room type.
May I wear my yukata to meals?
Yes. There is no dress code.
Large Communal Bath & Private Bath
Is there a large communal bath?
Yes, for staying guests. The large communal bath is open 15:00–17:00, 22:00–24:00 and 6:30–10:00. From 17:00 to 22:00 it is reserved for private use, in 45-minute sessions (reservation required).
How much is the private bath?
Your first private-bath session (45 minutes) is free; from the second session, it is ¥4,000 per session (subject to availability). Guests in BEKKAN Annex Building rooms have priority when booking. HONKAN Main Building rooms have their own garden baths, so there is no need to reserve.
Can I bathe if I have tattoos?
Yes. Please shower thoroughly before entering the bath.
Is it an onsen (hot spring)?
It is not a natural hot spring, but a traditional Japanese large communal bath.
Travelling with Children
Can we stay with children?
Yes. Children aged 6–16 are 80% of the adult rate with the same meals as adults (60% with an adult-style breakfast); children aged 6–12 are 50% with children's meals (40% without meals). Infants aged 3–5 are ¥5,500 with infant dinner and breakfast, ¥4,400 with infant breakfast or without meals (with child bedding), or ¥3,300 sharing a parent's futon. Infants under 3 sharing a parent's futon are ¥1,100. All rates are per night. When booking, please let us know the number and ages of the children.
Payment, Tax & Cancellation
Are taxes included in the rate?
Consumption tax is included in the rates shown. Kyoto City Accommodation Tax is charged separately, per person per night, based on the room rate excluding meals. From March 1, 2026: under ¥6,000: ¥200; ¥6,000–19,999: ¥400; ¥20,000–49,999: ¥1,000; ¥50,000–99,999: ¥4,000; ¥100,000 and over: ¥10,000.
Do you accept credit cards?
Major credit cards are accepted. Payment terms may differ between our official website and booking sites, so please check your booking confirmation.
Is there a cancellation fee?
Cancellation fees for your stay depend on the plan you book; they are shown on each plan page and in your booking confirmation. For meals booked separately: 30% from 3 days to 1 day before, 50% on the day, and 100% for no-shows.
Access & Surroundings
How do I get here from Kyoto Station?
Take the Karasuma subway line to Karasuma Oike, change to the Tozai line and get off at Keage Station; it is about a 5-minute walk. By car or taxi, it takes about 25 minutes from the Karasuma Exit of Kyoto Station.
And from Kansai or Itami Airport?
From Kansai International Airport (KIX), the JR limited express “Haruka” runs to Kyoto Station every 30 minutes and takes about 75–80 minutes (¥3,060 non-reserved, ¥3,590 reserved in standard season). The airport limousine bus to Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit takes about 85–100 minutes (¥2,800). A shuttle taxi from Kansai Airport straight to Yachiyo takes about 120 minutes and costs from ¥20,000; jumbo taxis, fixed-rate taxis and Uber are also available. From Itami Airport, the airport limousine bus to Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit takes about 55 minutes (¥1,500). From Kyoto Station, it is about 25 minutes to Yachiyo by taxi. Please check the latest timetables and fares with each operator.
Is there parking?
We have parking for 8 cars. Advance reservation is required, and the fee is ¥3,300 per night.
What is there to see nearby?
Nanzen-ji Temple is a 3-minute walk, and the Keage Incline, a National Treasure, is next door. The Suirokaku Aqueduct and Tenju-an are a 5-minute walk, Eikan-do 6 minutes, the Philosopher's Path and the Heian Shrine gardens 10 minutes. Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto is a 1-minute walk. As this is a quiet residential area, there are few convenience stores or casual restaurants, so we recommend planning meals and shopping in advance.
Other
Is there a curfew?
No. If you will be returning late at night, please let the front desk know.
Can I smoke?
All guest rooms are non-smoking. Guests in HONKAN Main Building rooms may smoke on the terrace.
Is there a laundry service?
Yes. Please ask the front desk about prices and hours.
Can you call a taxi for me?
Yes. If you are catching an early-morning train from Kyoto Station, for example, please let us know in good time.
Can I send luggage ahead of my arrival?
Yes, for staying guests. Please write your name and check-in date on the shipping label.
If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to contact us.
More details: Full FAQ
Seasonal Experiences Kyoto through the year
Spring
Cherry Blossoms & Fresh Maples
Cherry blossoms at Nanzen-ji and the National Treasure Keage Incline, fresh green leaves in the garden. Discover Kyoto in spring.
Summer
River Terraces & Cool Evenings
Savour the cool of a Kyoto summer while gazing out over the garden.
Autumn
Autumn Leaves at Nanzen-ji
Stroll through the autumn colours around Nanzen-ji, one of Kyoto's finest spots for autumn colour.
Autumn 2026 special night viewing guide →
Winter
The Garden in Snow
A serene winter garden, warming yudofu and Kyoto kaiseki.
Kyoto at a Glance
Kyoto is bigger than you think
Kyoto is a vast historic city. Unlike Hakone or Takayama, it cannot be seen in a day, so plan more days here than in Tokyo or Osaka. From Nanzen-ji, the Higashiyama sights are a walk away, and the rest of the city is easy to reach by subway, train or taxi. Tap any sight on the map for directions from Yachiyo, a taxi card and our tips.
Travel times from Nanzenji Yachiyo are approximate and vary with traffic and season. Opening hours change; please check Google Maps or the official site. Zoom with + / − (or pinch, or Ctrl + scroll) and drag to move.
Kyoto is not a small regional sightseeing town. It is one of Japan's great cities, shaped by more than a thousand years of history, culture, architecture, gardens, cuisine, craftsmanship, temples, shrines and traditional neighbourhoods. Just as you would not expect to truly experience Paris in a single day, Kyoto deserves more than a rushed overnight visit. At Yachiyo, we strongly recommend spending at least three days in Kyoto. One night gives you a glimpse. Three days give you time to begin experiencing Kyoto.
Day 1
Nanzen-ji & Higashiyama
Begin your Kyoto journey right outside Yachiyo, in the historic Nanzen-ji district, surrounded by temples, villas, gardens and quiet streets.
- Nanzen-ji Temple: 3 min walk
- Eikan-do: 6 min walk
- Philosopher's Path: 10 min walk
Day 2
The great sights of Kyoto
Dedicate a full day to Kyoto's temples, shrines, historic districts and landmarks. Rather than trying to see everything, choose what interests you and give each place the time it deserves.
Day 3
Your own Kyoto
No more rushing. Visit a garden, meet Kyoto craftsmanship, enjoy Japanese cuisine, or walk an old neighbourhood without a fixed destination. This is often when sightseeing becomes a memory.
Experience the Kyoto that day visitors miss
- Kyoto in the early morning
- Kyoto after the day visitors have left
- A quiet evening in Nanzen-ji
- A leisurely dinner, with no last train to catch
- A Japanese bath before bed
- A morning walk through Higashiyama
- A private bath of your own (45 minutes, one session free)
- Luggage storage before check-in and after check-out
One night is a glimpse. Three days are the beginning.Kyoto should not be just another stop between Tokyo and Osaka. Give it time, stay after the crowds leave, and make Yachiyo your home in the city.
Around Nanzen-ji on Instagram
Sights Within Walking Distance
Explore the famous sights within walking distance of the ryokan through photos shared on Instagram. Each link opens the latest posts for that hashtag.
National Treasure 2025
A National Treasure next door.
A National Treasure next door.
The Lake Biwa Canal's Keage Incline
On August 27, 2025, five facilities of the Lake Biwa Canal were designated National Treasures. One of them, the Keage Incline, lies right next to Nanzenji Yachiyo. Together with the Suirokaku Aqueduct at Nanzen-ji, a 5-minute walk away, it makes for a lovely stroll through Meiji-era industrial heritage.
- Keage Incline
- Completed around 1889 (Meiji 22). An inclined railway that carried boats on carts up and down the slope by cable. About 582 m long with a height difference of about 36 m, it was the longest in the world when built. Next door
- Suirokaku Aqueduct, Nanzen-ji
- Completed 1888 (Meiji 21). A red-brick aqueduct running through the grounds of Nanzen-ji Temple. 5-minute walk
Completed in 1890 (Meiji 23), the canal brought Lake Biwa's water to Kyoto for drinking water, hydroelectric power, boat transport, irrigation, garden streams and firefighting, and helped revive the city after the capital moved to Tokyo. The Agency for Cultural Affairs praised it as a rare structure built with the best civil engineering of the mid-Meiji period, a landmark of modern urban infrastructure in Japan. In all, 24 canal facilities between Otsu and Kyoto are Important Cultural Properties, five of them National Treasures. To learn more, visit the Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto by the Incline.
Lake Biwa Canal facilities designated National Treasures at the same time: Tunnel No. 1, Tunnel No. 2, Tunnel No. 3, the Incline, and the Suirokaku Aqueduct at Nanzen-ji
Kyoto News Kyoto Journal
Seasonal events, travel routes, stories from around Nanzen-ji, and news from the ryokan.
View all
2026.10.19
RYOTEI
Ryotei Yachiyo: Autumn Foliage Season Hours & Reservations (Nov 21 – Dec 6)
2026.10
SEASON
Autumn evenings on foot from the ryokan: 2026 special night viewings and autumn leaf illuminations
NEARBY
CAFE
A favourite on the approach to Nanzen-ji: Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto Cafe
2026.10
ACCESS
Getting to Kyoto from Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen and Niseko
2025.01
ROOMS
New futons in every guest room
2024.07
AWARDS
The first MICHELIN Key hotels in Japan – our thoughts
CULTURE
ONSEN
Supporting Japan's onsen culture for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Follow Us
Yachiyo through the seasons, on social media.
We share the changing garden, seasonal Kyoto cuisine and news from around Nanzen-ji.
InstagramRyokan Yachiyo@kyoto_nanzenji_ryokan_yachiyo
InstagramRyotei Yachiyo@kyoto_nanzenji_ryotei_yachiyo
FacebookRyokan Yachiyofacebook.com/ryokan.kyoto
FacebookRyotei Yachiyojapanese.restaurant.kyoto.yachiyo
Kyoto promotional film: Where Every Corner Sparks Discovery
Plays from YouTube.
From our guests on TikTok
@tokyogirl__ · More guest posts on Instagram
Access Getting here
Nanzenji Yachiyo
Nanzenji Yachiyo, Kyoto 34 Nanzenji Fukuchi-choSakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8435, Japan
TEL +81-75-771-4148 (24 hours, open year-round)
FAX +81-75-771-4140
- Subway
- From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma subway line (bound for Kokusaikaikan) to Karasuma Oike. Change to the Tozai line (bound for Rokujizo) and get off at Keage, the 4th stop; about a 5-minute walk
- Bus
- From stop A-1 at the Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit bus terminal, take City Bus No. 5 and get off at Hosshoji-cho. Walk east, turn right and continue about 5 minutes; Yachiyo is on the right of the approach to Nanzen-ji Temple
- Taxi
- About 25 minutes from the Karasuma Exit of JR Kyoto Station (longer in the evening or in heavy traffic). Show the driver: 「南禅寺 八千代までお願いします」 (Nanzenji Yachiyo, please)
- From the airports
- Kansai Airport: JR “Haruka” to Kyoto Station, about 75 min (¥3,060 non-reserved / ¥3,590 reserved), or limousine bus, about 90 min (¥2,800). Itami Airport: limousine bus to Kyoto Station, about 55 min (¥1,500). See details
- Car
- About 15 minutes from the Kyoto-Higashi IC on the Meishin Expressway, heading into the city along Sanjo-dori
- Parking
- Space for 8 cars, reservation required, ¥3,300 per night
Walking from Keage StationWalk straight along Niomon-dori with the Keage Water Purification Plant on your left. At the Kyoto International Community House intersection, turn sharply right onto the approach to Nanzen-ji Temple, and you will find Yachiyo just on your right.
Open in Google Maps Get Directions Contact UsFrom Kansai & Itami Airports
Both airports connect to Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station, it is about 25 minutes to Yachiyo by taxi, or take the subway to Keage Station (5 minutes' walk).
Kansai International Airport
KIX · International & domestic flightsJR Limited Express “Haruka”Fastest
From the JR Kansai Airport Station, connected to Terminal 1. Non-reserved ¥3,060 / reserved ¥3,590 (standard season).
Airport Limousine Bus
Departs from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, roughly every 20–30 minutes. Your suitcases are stowed below, so no stairs or transfers. Allow extra time for traffic.
Shuttle / Private Taxi
Door to door with no transfers. Jumbo taxis, fixed-rate taxis and Uber are also available.
Osaka International (Itami) Airport
ITM · Domestic flightsAirport Limousine BusRecommended
Departs from the bus stops in front of the terminal, about every 20 minutes during the day. The simplest way from Itami to Kyoto.
Times and fares are approximate as of October 2026 and may change; please check the latest timetables with each operator. Haruka reserved-seat fares vary slightly by season. If you arrive late in the evening, please let us know your expected arrival time.
Coming from the ski slopes?
Many guests add a few quiet days in Kyoto after skiing in Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen or Niseko. A few tips for a smooth journey:
- Send your skis ahead. Luggage delivery services can carry skis and bags from your resort hotel to your next stop, usually arriving the next day. Please contact us before sending anything to Yachiyo.
- Typical routes to Kyoto Station (approximate, excluding transfers): Hakuba about 5 hours – Alpico bus to Nagano, Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga, then the Thunderbird limited express. Shiga Kogen about 6 hours and Nozawa Onsen about 5–6 hours – bus to Nagano or Iiyama, then the same Shinkansen and Thunderbird route. Niseko about 7–8 hours – airport bus to New Chitose Airport, then a flight to Itami, Kansai or Kobe.
- Book your seats early on busy days. Trains fill up around the New Year and the Lunar New Year holidays, so reserve Shinkansen and limited express seats well in advance.
After the slopes, rest in our onsen-style baths and enjoy a kaiseki dinner overlooking the garden.
Travel Times to Nearby Sights
- Bicycle rentalFirst day free, then ¥1,000/day
- Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto1 min walk
- Nanzen-ji Temple3 min walk
- Keage Incline (National Treasure)Next to the ryokan
- Suirokaku Aqueduct, Nanzen-ji (National Treasure)5 min walk
- Tenju-an5 min walk
- Keage Station5 min walk
- Eikan-do (Zenrin-ji)6 min walk
- Heian Shrine Garden10 min walk
- Shoren-in15 min walk
- Philosopher's Path10 min walk
- Kiyomizu-dera15 min by taxi
- Ginkaku-ji10 min by taxi
- Gion20 min walk
- Fushimi Inari TaishaAbout 30 min: Tozai Line from Keage to Sanjo Keihan (4 min), then Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari (10 min)
- Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo GroveAbout 40 min: Tozai Line from Keage to Uzumasa Tenjingawa (16 min), then Randen tram to Arashiyama (10 min)