Best Ryokan in Kyoto: My Honest Review of Motonago Ryokan in Kyoto, Japan!
I truly believe I stayed in the best ryokan in Kyoto because I haven’t stopped thinking about it since returning from Japan and have nothing but excellent things to say (any chance I get) about Motonago Ryokan.
For my honeymoon, we spent 3 nights near Kyoto station and our last night (the best night) was spent in Gion. To say it’s a nice ryokan in Kyoto is too far an understatement so here’s a thousand words to try and sum up how amazing it was…
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What is a Ryokan?
A ryokan (pronounced ee-o-kan) is a traditional Japanese inn. All over Japan, you recieve omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) but it’s truly unrivalled at a ryokan. It involves a unique experience of staying on a futon bed, having a Kaiseki dinner served to your room and breakfast also served to your room. A ryokan in Kyoto with onsen is a public Japanese bath. When you’re searching for ryokan accommodation Kyoto is famous for them and there are some luxurious, authentic stays in this city.
My Ryokan Motonago Experience
I stayed in Motonago Ryokan for one night in September 2026 as part of my honeymoon in Japan. We had dinner, breakfast, a private onsen, a room with a private bathroom and were treated like royalty from the moment we checked in. It was the highlight of our entire Japan trip and I cannot stress this enough, you have to experience a ryokan stay at least once in your life. For whatever reason you visit Kyoto, do not miss staying here. I’ve stayed in hundreds of hotels over my travels and this is by far the best experience. So trust me, read on and book. You will not regret it.
Quick Answers
- How many nights should I stay in a ryokan? You only need one night in a ryokan to experience its magic but stay for two if you want it to be your base. Otherwise, find somewhere else to stay for your time in Kyoto like Wander Kyoto Nanajo (I stayed here).
- Is a ryokan worth the extra money compared with a Kyoto hotel? Yes. A thousand times yes. Do not miss this opportunity if you’re visiting Kyoto.
- What should I expect when staying at a ryokan? Expect to be waited on hand, foot and finger from your arrival. A good ryokan will be pristine and make you take your shoes off at the front door and provide socks to walk the tatami mats. Only book a ryokan that includes breakfast and dinner. Find a ryokan that has an onsen. A private one is better. You will have a server that will enter your room to serve your food and make your futon bed. You’ll also be given traditional Japanese outfits to wear during your stay. Motonago has all of the above.
The Best Ryokan in Kyoto Review
Motonago Ryokan Review
Motonago Ryokan is located in Higashiyama just steps away from the Gion (the Geisha district so you’ll likely spot one). It is the place from a Japan postcard: lantern-lit cobbled streets, low-rise homes, between a shrine and temple, covered in Cherry Blossoms in the spring and golden maples in the Autumn. It’s rated 9.5 online!
What’s great about it:
- Decor is traditional Japanese: tatami mats, futon beds, bamboo cupboards, all modernity covered (like phones and TV which are hidden), tranquil Japanese garden.
- Location is unbeaten: In the heart of old-world Kyoto and minutes walk from Kodaiji temple, Yasaka shrine and bustling Gion district. Plus there’s always a 7/11 close by.
- Food is the best we had in all of Japan. Freshly prepared, exquisitely presented, elegantly served. A full Kaiseki experience (luxury, fine-dining haute, multiple course known in Kyoto) for dinner in our room. A traditional Japanese breakfast served in our room. The menu changes and the food represents the season. Oh, and it’s Michelin recommended.
- Staff epitomise Japanese hospitality. Made to feel so welcome from arrival, looked after extremely well, luggage-forwarding is available. We were greeted with a green tea and soybean mochi and asked what time we would like dinner and breakfast.
- Cleanliness is 10/10. The ambience and atmosphere of the inn is reflected in the pristine presentation of the entire place. Shoes left at the front door.
- Amenities include Yukata garments, incredible-scented shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, face wash and moisturiser, a huge, deep, wooden bath and shower, free hairbrush, tie, shower cap, toothbrush and paste, slippers to wear in the bathroom only, towels.
- Facilities include wifi, a Japanese garden to enjoy and lots of information about Kyoto. If you’re wondering Which Kyoto ryokans have private baths for couples or just which ryokans have a private onsen, then Motonago is your answer.
Ryokan with Kaiseki Dinner
If you book to stay in Motonago Ryokan, ensure you go for the option that includes dinner and breakfast. Dinner is always a Kaiseki experience which is a traditional, multi-course, luxurious, fine-dining experience.
Our Kaiseki dinner was booked for 6.30pm so we changed into our traditional Yukata dresswear and socks that were neatly folded for us and waited for a knock at the door. Punctuality is important in Japan and our lovely server knocked right on the dot.
We ordered drinks and were given our evening menus which consisted of 12 courses. Menus change daily and seasonly so I won’t list exactly what we ate but here is what to expect:
- Served first: Alcohol before meals, The First Dish, Seasonal Appetizers, Fresh Raw Fish
- Served second: Simmered Dish, One Pot Dish
- Served third: Grilled Dish, Warm Dish
- Served fourth: Fried Dishes, Vinegary Delicacies, Rice and Soup
- Served last: Dessert (they also brought a fruit platter and souvenirs as gifts for our honeymoon)
🍁 Everything was Autumn-themed: maple leaves as the bed of dishes, sweet potato in leaf shapes and colours to represent the season. I think spring would be incredible!
My personal highlights include: the raw fish (best sashimi I’ve ever had), steamed fig, grilled matsutake mushroom, roasted duck, Tilefish, deep-fried salmon, scallops and the lemon mousse and fruit platter at the end. But it was ALL so delicious, thoughtful, beautifully-cooked and looked amazing.
Note: 8 courses included some sort of fish/seafood/fish broth so if you’re vegan look for a ryokan with shojin ryori (plant-based diet) like Togetsutei but you must inform them well in advance. Read this ryokan Vegan guide.
Whichever ryokan you choose in Kyoto, ensure you search for which ryokans include breakfast and dinner because it’s the biggest highlight of the stay. As you can tell, Motonago is my recommended ryokan in Kyoto.
Breakfast at a Ryokan
We’d booked breakfast for 8.30am and 10 minutes before they called our room to check this time was okay. We re-wore our traditional garments and had the same lovely server deliver an elaborate breakfast spread. There was so much food from soup to fried tofu to grilled salmon and the perfect rolled omelette. My highlight was making my own onigiri; the nori seaweed was stacked and you roll the rice within it to dip in the sauce. Delicious! 🍙
To recommend an authentic traditional ryokan in Kyoto, the breakfast sums it up.
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Price of Motonago Ryokan Kyoto Japan
I paid £355 for one night in Ryokan Motonago for two people with breakfast, dinner, a private bathroom and a ryokan with private onsen Kyoto. I think is an affordable ryokan Kyoto for a ryokan in Gion district Kyoto and a luxurious one at that. Especially if you’re looking for which ryokans are best for couples / a honeymoon.
On arrival, you pay the regular tax as everywhere abroad in fairness and the only thing we had to pay for was extra alcohol which is charged on check out.
Note that I stayed in the considered shoulder season so I imagine that during sakura (cherry blossom season) the ryokan will likely be more expensive like the rest of Japan but trust me, it’s worth it! 🌸
What is the Best Ryokan in Kyoto for a First-Time Visitor to Japan?
I genuinely believe this was the best ryokan hotel in Kyoto for my first time to Japan. The stay was relaxing and we never felt rushed at all. It was an authentic ryokan Kyoto experience and the location made it easy to immerse in an old-world style area with luxury ryokan Kyoto at the centre.
How to Book a Good Ryokan in Kyoto
I always use the same site to book my accommodation and you should book this amazing ryokan to make lifetime memories and experience something special. Check prices and availability of Motonago Ryokan here.
For somewhere else, make sure you read other travel blogs for honest opinions from people who have stayed there about the facilities, hospitality and most importantly, the food, for your ryokan hotel Kyoto.
To wrap up, if you want a traditional Kyoto ryokan for 1 night in Gion with dinner, breakfast and a private bath then book Motonago Ryokan and get excited for your magical Japanese stay.
Thanks for reading 🙂
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