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2 adults, 1 room

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SOWAKA

Star ratings are based on Klook's overview of the property's information (such as services and facilities included, etc.), and are for reference only

Q: What is the best view room type at Sowaka?

The best scenic room at Sowaka is the Garden View Suite, featuring a design that blends modern and traditional elements. Through the windows, guests can enjoy the changing beauty of the Japanese garden across the seasons, adding a sense of tranquility to their stay.

Q: Which restaurant offers the best view?

Loka Gion restaurant offers the best views, allowing diners to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Higashiyama while enjoying their meals. The elegant design of the restaurant creates a harmonious atmosphere with the natural surroundings, and the exquisite cuisine enhances the overall dining experience.

Q: What attractions are near the hotel?

Famous attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and the historic streets of Gion are all within easy walking distance, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Kyoto's rich cultural heritage.

Q: Which is the nearest subway station to the hotel?

The nearest subway station is "Gion-Shijo Station," located about a 15-minute walk from the hotel.

480 Kiyoi-choSee map

£ 845.99per night

This is the cheapest price in 30 days, based on the rates on 29 Oct

Top reasons for booking

Great view

Most user reviews comment positively on the view from their room

Design-forward

This property blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary design, featuring a thoughtful renovation by a recognized architectural firm.

Historic building

Housed in a building dating back to 1919, this property was converted from a traditional Japanese restaurant and geisha house, preserving original architectural elements.

Popular facilities

Bar

Restaurant

Free WiFi

Spa

24-hour front desk

Luggage storage

4.9/5Fantastic 132 reviews

Reviews summary

Exceptional service, prime Gion location, exquisite dining, and beautiful traditional design with modern comforts. Tranquil oasis offering personalized touches and authentic experiences.

Exploring the area

Gion Station, 700m, About 11 mins from hotel by foot

Gion-Shijo Station, 700m, About 11 mins from hotel by foot

Ishibei-koji Lane, 200m, About 3 mins from hotel by foot

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

1 double bed or bigger

52.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

1 double bed or bigger

56.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

1 double bed or bigger

47.0 m²

Non-smoking

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

1 double bed or bigger

47.0 m²

Non-smoking

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

1 double bed or bigger

49.0 m²

Non-smoking

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

1 double bed or bigger

45.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

1 double bed or bigger

50.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

2 beds

60.0 m²

Non-smoking

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

2 beds

51.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

2 beds

59.0 m²

Mountain view

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

1 double bed or bigger

44.0 m²

Non-smoking

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

2 beds

54 m²

Non-smoking

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

2 beds

62.0 m²

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

1 double bed or bigger

70.0 m²

Non-smoking

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

1 double bed or bigger

48.0 m²

Non-smoking

111:Superior Casita Room, Queen Bed(Main)

1 double bed or bigger

34.0 m²

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

1 double bed or bigger

97.0 m²

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

1 double bed or bigger

39.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

1 double bed or bigger

43.0 m²

Non-smoking

Garden view

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

1 double bed or bigger

58.0 m²

Non-smoking

Deluxe Room with Tatami Area - Non-Smoking

2 beds

49 m²

Garden view

City View Superior 1 King Bed Non-Smoking Room

1 double bed or bigger

47 m²

Deluxe King Mountain View

2 beds

58 m²

Mountain view

Machiya Room

1 double bed or bigger

34 m²

Deluxe Room King

2 beds

44 m²

Garden view

No pictures available yet

New wing Superior Double No Smoking Garden side garden view

1 double bed or bigger

47 m²

Non-smoking

No pictures available yet

New Wing Deluxe King Bedroom

1 double bed or bigger

Standard Double Room

1 double bed or bigger

27.0 m²

No pictures available yet

Studio Suite

2 beds

60.0 m²

No pictures available yet

Suite

2 beds

97.0 m²

No pictures available yet

Junior Studio Suite

1 double bed or bigger

70.0 m²

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

1 double bed or bigger

27.0 m²

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Reviews

Read all reviews

4.9/5.0

Fantastic

132 reviews

Location

0.0

Services offered

4.9

Cleanliness

5.0

Atmosphere & facilities

4.8

Reviews summary

From real reviews, powered by AI

Overall impression

Exceptional service, prime Gion location, exquisite dining, and beautiful traditional design with modern comforts. Tranquil oasis offering personalized touches and authentic experiences.

Location

Walking distance to major shrines, temples, shopping, and restaurants. Quiet street in the heart of Gion. Easy access to transport and historic sites.

Services offered

Friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable staff. Personalized service, thoughtful amenities, and excellent local recommendations. Staff goes above and beyond.

Cleanliness

Immaculately clean rooms and public areas. High standards of hygiene consistently noted. Property is well-maintained and super clean.

Atmosphere & facilities

Beautiful, tranquil Ryokan style with modern amenities. Stunning lobby, bar, and restaurant. Rooms with private gardens and wooden tubs. Zen and beautiful.

Gary

Reviewed: 5 Jul 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Stayed with partner

Where do I start, everything was great at here. The Kaseki breakfast (if you like that albeit, western breakfast looked decent too) to winding down with a meditation bell and a leaflet to help you relax before bed. The hotel is beautiful and the staff make you feel extra special with their personal touches, only 23 rooms and so the staff know everyone and will go out their way to help you. The whole experience is calming and peaceful and it’s like a small retreat, there’s no TV in the room but for a beautiful speaker that’s endlessly playing calming tunes, the lounge space for snacks and matcha is great and the restaurant serves an awesome dinner. Can’t say enough good things about the place.

Darlyne

Reviewed: 23 Jun 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Stayed with family · For friends and family

Everything was amazing in this boutique hotel. A true statement to Japanese style Ryokan. Although not a ryokan it felt like one with hotel amenities exactly what i was looking for. . The food was delicious both breakfast and dinner. The staff was beyond my expectations of kindness. I loved everything

Darlyne

Reviewed: 11 Jun 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

This was a surprise a true beauty the feeling of a Ryoken yet with all the necessities of a boutique hotel. I could have stayed there a month.

Kristy

Reviewed: 2 Jun 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Stayed with partner

Clean hotel. Very authentic. Staff are excellent

Mariam

Reviewed: 17 May 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

What an experience this was ... 5 stars hands down. Great property, amenities, and service.

Carmen

Reviewed: 29 Apr 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Stayed with partner

Sowaka was wonderful. From the zen room and garden to the hospitable staff and the perfect location in Gion. The only thing that could make it perfect is the restaurant which did not match the same level as the hotel

Neda

Reviewed: 7 Apr 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Neda

Reviewed: 7 Apr 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Stayed with friends

The service was amazing and I loved the traditional Japanese style hotel. Great experience all around

arielle

Reviewed: 22 Mar 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Amazing experience!

Michael

Reviewed: 31 Jan 2026

5.0/5.0

Fantastic

Beautiful, amazing service, great location and climate control in the room was a little challenging.

Overview

SOWAKA

First open:1919-01-01

Renovation:2018-01-01

Rooms:23

Star rating:

With a stay at SOWAKA in Kyoto (Gion), you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Maruyama Park and Kodai-ji Temple. This luxury hotel is 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Kawaramachi Street and 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Kiyomizu Temple.

Highlights

Sowaka is located in Kyoto's Gion district, offering an excellent geographical advantage, with famous attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine nearby. The hotel seamlessly blends modern design with traditional sukiya-style architecture, incorporating Japanese aesthetics into its comfort to create an unparalleled lodging experience.

The lobby lounge provides welcome drinks, allowing guests to relax on tatami floors and enjoy a moment of tranquility.

Staying in suites designed in the sukiya style immerses you in a unique Japanese aesthetic.

Loka Gion restaurant combines traditional Japanese cuisine with modern creativity, offering a refined seasonal menu.

The rooftop terrace provides stunning views of Higashiyama and the beautiful cityscape of Kyoto.

Description

See all

Exploring the area

Transport

Gion Station

Underground stations

700m

Higashiyama Station

Underground stations

900m

Gion-Shijo Station

Train stations

700m

Attractions

Ishibei-koji Lane

200m

Entoku-in

200m

Kyoto Gion Lamp Museum

200m

Riko Kimono Rental

300m

Ishibe kōji road

300m

Yasaka Shrine

300m

Gion

300m

Kyoto Gion Matsuri Festival Gallery

300m

See map

Facilities & services

Popular facilities

Bar

Restaurant

Free WiFi

Spa

24-hour front desk

Luggage storage

General

Non-smoking throughout

Bicycle rentals

Garden

Safety & security

Safety deposit box

Cleaning services

Laundry service

Reception services

Concierge

Food & drink

Breakfast service (additional charge)

See all facilities

Property policies

Check-in/out Time

Earliest check-in time:After 15:00 - Before 22:00

Latest check-out time:Before 11:00

Check-in policy

The guest responsible for check-in must be aged 12 or above

Special check-in instructions

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. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools.

Check-in descriptions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

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

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

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.

Note: Check-in policies vary by property. Please check carefully before booking

Child Policy

Children must be aged 12 and above to stay at the property

Mandatory fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. 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.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Other fees

Fee for continental breakfast: approximately JPY 6000 per person

Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Food & drinks

Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Continental breakfasts are available daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.

See all policies

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SOWAKA

Star ratings are based on Klook's overview of the property's information (such as services and facilities included, etc.), and are for reference only

Select your room

Reviews