Ryokan Yoshida-sanso

The perfect traditional Kyoto Ryokan with incredible kaiseki meals in a stunning location.

The staff were AMAZING, lots of attention to small details, food was delicious, the place is very special. One in a million traditional hotel

I loved everything

Everything was incredible! The staff was kind and extremely helpful, the grounds and room were beautiful, and the breakfast was delicious. It’s expensive, but it’s worth the price.

Nothing. It was perfect.

Ryokan Yoshida-Sanso is an extraordinary experience and a worthwhile decision if you are in Kyoto. We stayed one night in the Hanare, which is the private house next to the main house. The facilities are traditional but have many modern upgrades that make the stay very comfortable. The privacy was welcome after a busy week in Tokyo. The dinner is recommended, as it is an additional charge, but wonderfully presented and delicious. The breakfast is the real treat though, as you sit in a private room in the main house to enjoy the array of little bites and bowls with tasty preparations. The staff is warm, welcoming, friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. The care in which every task is completed is really special and makes you feel like you're staying in a home (which you are). The location is perfect since you're close enough to town if you want to dine out, but still secluded from the bustle of the city.

We didn't have much that we would change, but I would recommend staying 2 nights at a minimum because with a 1-night stay, the check-in is too late the check-out is too early to really immerse yourself in the energy of the experience and develop any sort of rhythm.

Yoshida-Sanso was a luxurious splurge for my husband and me. While we only spent one night here, it was the best accommodation we've ever experienced. We were welcomed with hot tea, a traditional sweet, and a handwritten poem in Japanese calligraphy. We were given a personal tour of the ryokan before settling into our spacious room with a breathtaking view of the garden and the surrounding forested hills overlooking Kyoto. The room came with many nice amenities, including a tea set and comfortable yukata that we wore on the property. The futon beds were very comfortable and luxurious. While the bathrooms and onsen were technically shared, we never ran into anyone else using them during our stay, and so it felt like we had it all to ourselves. I really enjoyed relaxing in the hot onsen. There are several shrines and temples within walking distance of the ryokan, including the famous Ginkaku-ji temple (we actually preferred the less-touristy ones though). We had the traditional kaiseki dinner, which was offered in a private room next to the garden. The kaiseki dinner, while expensive, was an absolute culinary delight! The 9-course meal was made with the freshest ingredients and cooked with a delicate, sophisticated touch. The complimentary breakfast (we chose traditional Japanese style) was also delicious as well. We enjoyed freshly brewed coffee and spiced cookies in the cafe after breakfast. Our host was incredibly helpful, held our luggage after checkout, and arranged a taxi to come pick us up when we were done exploring and needed to travel to our next hotel.

The price was a splurge for us, and it may be out of many people's budgets. However, we felt that it was worth at least 1 night's stay just for the experience of being treated like guests of honor to the imperial family!