
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
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Studio Ghibli releases a musical diorama based on a touching anime scene from My Neighbour Totoro
Udon pudding is about to shake up the noodle scene in Japan
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
KFC Japan creates spicy summer fried chicken chips together with Calbee
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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?
Site of Japan’s most famous samurai murder is now a Kyoto karaoke joint
Enjoy Kyoto (Part 1) — Stay in a restored traditional machiya house!
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
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
This beautiful Kyoto dry landscape garden…is part of a Starbucks?!?【Photos】
Survey reveals the most popular time to slip into a yukata at a traditional Japanese inn
Secrets of an Innkeeper: 3 Japanese guesthouse habits we could all learn from
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
Samurai luxury — Renovated 400-year-old ryokan near Chiba’s coast can be yours to rent【Photos】