
Japanese visitors are falling in love with the gorgeous gardens and traditional rooms at this atmospheric inn.
Japan is filled with so many unique and interesting accommodation options that it can sometimes be difficult to choose a place to stay. When it comes to finding the perfect base in Kyoto, however, Japanese travellers are talking about a beautiful new place called Guesthouse Koiya, which has been receiving rave reviews from guests.
▼ According to this excited visitor, the guesthouse looks exactly like the inner citadel that appears in the popular Japanese mobile game “Touken Ranbu”.
https://twitter.com/edyk310/status/775310590377992194Looking at photographs of the inn, it certainly does have a beautifully maintained traditional appearance that makes it look like it could house a group of samurai warriors.
Despite being recently renovated, the old building still retains some original features like old switches and dark wood panels.
The exterior has some charming features that make you feel like you’re stepping back in time as soon as you arrive at the front door.
Inside, the rooms all feature gorgeous shoji sliding screen doors and traditional tatami mat flooring.
Guests who stay in the triple room on the first floor can sit on a wooden ledge to keep an eye out for enemy infiltrators while enjoying a view of the leafy scenery.
The twin room on the ground floor opens up to a beautiful view of a traditional Japanese garden.
While this former tea ceremony room, which sleeps two to three people, opens out onto an exclusive private garden.
The long wooden verandah is like a scene from an old movie where kimono-clad lords and warriors would shuffle about, using the thoroughfare as a way to move from one room to another through the building.
The inner garden is a beautiful central point, which provides shade and dappled sunlight in the spring and summer months.
▼ In autumn, the garden becomes filled with a dazzling display of fiery red foliage.
▼ And the garden looks equally beautiful covered in a gorgeous white layer of winter snow.
All guests can enjoy garden viewing at any time of the year in the dining room area, with a free-to-use kitchen that contains coffee and western and Japanese style teas.
Accommodation plans at the inn are very reasonably priced, with a single room costing 4,000 yen (US$39.21) per person a night. Each room is priced differently, with reduced prices for two to three people staying together in one room. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay in Kyoto, stop by their English website for more details!
Guesthouse Information
Guesthouse Koiya/ゲストハウス鯉屋
Address: Kyoto-fu, Kyoto-shi, Kamigyo-ku, Tenjin Kitamachi 29−1
京都府京都市上京区天神北町29-1
Website (English)
Source: Togech
Top Image: Guesthouse Koiya
Insert Images: Guesthouse Koiya

















Foreign travelers’ lukewarm reactions to traditional Japanese inn food causing changes in Kyoto
Tomaya: The old Japanese inn that only accepts reservations by post
We stay in a converted Kyoto townhouse filled with traditional charm and overwhelming hospitality
Japan’s firefly season is here, and here are four great inns to take in the softly glowing beauty
Beautiful Starbucks in Kyoto blends into its traditional landscape in more ways than one
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
We try the new Dom Dom Burger with a whole fried crab — best fast food near Sensoji temple
Beautiful Starbucks in Kyoto blends into its traditional landscape in more ways than one
This super-compact raincoat from one of Japan’s 100-yen stores can literally fit in your pocket
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Enjoy a weekend trip to Thailand for less than $50? We show you how【Photos】
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Ghibli Park making first update ever to its step-into-anime photo spots, some scenes going away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Rakuten Travel reveals the top 5 best-rated, off-the-beaten-track Japanese ryokan inns
Dine like a samurai on the night of the Ikedaya Incident at Kyoto-themed restaurant in Tokyo
Japanese inn’s first foreign guests disappear without paying – “We feel so betrayed”
How should you use the small hiroen in a Japanese ryokan hotel room?
Enjoy Kyoto (Part 1) — Stay in a restored traditional machiya house!
Site of Japan’s most famous samurai murder is now a Kyoto karaoke joint
Ryokan etiquette: What not to do when staying at a traditional Japanese inn
Cute and comfy women’s-only hotel in Kyoto has everything you need for the perfect girls’ trip
The 10 best ryokan inns in Japan, as chosen by travelers
This beautiful Kyoto dry landscape garden…is part of a Starbucks?!?【Photos】
Travel back in time to this timeless Japanese hot spring inn from the Taisho period【Photos】
Japanese ryokan custom ignites debate after visitors label it sexist
Secrets of an Innkeeper: 3 Japanese guesthouse habits we could all learn from
Survey reveals the most popular time to slip into a yukata at a traditional Japanese inn
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
Cheap Japanese ryokan at Kusatsu Onsen is hidden at the back of a traditional store
Leave a Reply