Friendly staff”

We enjoyed our stay very much for the ryokan style. Hotel staff were very friendly and helpful especially with the direction and our transport to the next city. Safe and quiet walking street to hotel, 5 min walking distance to the Nishi market. Exit 13 from train station, 5-7 min walk to hotel. :)

Perfect”

Watazen Ryokan is a couple of blocks away from Nishiki market, which is one of the most wonderful parts of Kyoto, since there is food and shopping at walking distance. It is a beautiful, traditional Ryokan with exquisite attention to detail in the decoration and towards its visitors. They gave us beautiful cotton robes and sandals to hang out in the Ryokan and I also wore them to the onsen bath which they have in the basement. The onsen experience was wonderful, clean and very hot, but incredible soothing for my aching feet and amazing right before going to sleep. I stayed at the Ryokan with my 11 year old son and the attendants were very kind and respectful. They are not fluent in English, but know the essentials which are necessary to communicate with travelers. They offer you a great mini map which shows where the main train /metro lines are to get to the main attractions around Kyoto like the Bamboo Forest and Fushimi Inari. No beds, just tatami. We loooooooooved it!

A great ryokan suited to the experience of Kyoto”

Located at a convenient location near to the Nishiki market, though a bit of distance away from buses and mrt, but it only helps to bring the peace and quietness that is best to experience what it is like staying in a Ryokan. Service was friendly and accommodating, with the hosts knowing how to pamper you after a day of exploring the artistic city of Kyoto, with a public bath ready at night to wash away your tiredness. Expect the best of hospitality as the traditional Japanese rooms comes with traditional bath robes, tea sets and facilities. And the fusion of traditional japanese style and contemporary westernised living lets you feel extra comfortable. A pity we only managed to stay for a short while here and definitely would have made this the choice for our next trip for an even longer stay.

good location and amenities”

Stayed for only a night. Location was perfect, near Nishiki market and near the subway station. The room was very spacious and comfortable. Cleanliness was alright but could be improved. There is a public bath at the basement..Bicycle rentals were also available. Watazen ryokan provided a convenient base for exploring Kyoto. We were out most of the time but hoped we could have more nights to enjoy. Perhaps next time. Recommend!

Genuine Japanese ryokan experience”

Great location, walking distance to many many restaurants! While visiting Japan you should really try a Ryokan and this hotel is a very easy and convenient way of getting that unique experience. Try the onsen as well! Well worth the money for the beautiful tatami room which was spacious and comfortable. Would definitely go back to this place. PS: make sure you have the Japanese breakfast (don’t take western breakfast)

Beautiful facilities and pleasant atmosphere”

Staff was friendly and helpful. The facilities were convenient and clean; we especially loved the onsen-style bath on the basement level. The hotel provides yukata and other free goodies in the lobby which was a nice touch. The location is great and the atmosphere is warm. If you have it in the budget, I would highly recommend booking Watazen Ryokan Hotel.

Wonderful experience ”

This is the best ryokan experience! The staff are so friendly and helpful. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the sento is also very clean and well-stocked. The location is excellent as well, as it is only a few minutes walk to Teramachi and to the nearest bus stop. Thank you!

Very good value ryokan!”

The value they offer was good! the place was quite old, but well-maintained and good location. Kyoto Gogyo is just a few doors away (a must try Black Burnt Ramen) and Nishiki Market 5-mins walk away for breakfast. We didn't have time to try the onsen but will definitely come back to this ryokan again if we come back to Kyoto one day!

Convenient location & friendly staffs”

The location is very convenient! It's right in the city center. Walking distance to major shopping area, Gion area and the famous Nishiki Market! Staffs are very friendly and the room is spacious. The room could use some updates though.

Excellent location and facility”

Excellent location which is very easy to get bus or subway to other famous locations and also having a good survice. It's a real nice hotel that if you wanna have tranditonal Japan tatami style experience. Just an advice for the food service that need to confirm in the future if any limitations or concern of customers. It's a nice hotel choice for my next Kyoto trip.

Quaint little ryokan with impeccable hospitality.”

Watazen Ryokan provided a highly affordable Ryokan style accommodation without breaking the bank. Staff were extremely friendly and provided the most personalized service I had ever experienced throughout my 16 day stay in Japan. Counter and room service staff remembered my ability to understand Japanese (despite me being a foreigner) and communicated with me in Japanese thoroughout my stay which added a lot to the experience of staying in a Ryokan. As my access to Kokedera was reserved through Watazen, it was nice that the counter staff took the initiative to ask if I enjoyed Kokedera upon my return as well. I had a marvelous Kaiseki dinner on my 2nd night of stay in Watazen and was greeted by the owner of the ryokan during my meal in my room. In overall, Watazen was the highlight of my trip in Japan and would definitely be my accommodation of choice the next time I return to Kyoto.

Spacious and comfortable room.”

Very spacious room which was good for family with young children (to run around). Facilities is a tad old but the room is very clean and tidy. Staff diligently prepared the futon every evening (we stayed for 4 nights). Onsen is a tad small but not many users (not many rooms). Very friendly staff which made the stay ever so enjoyable. A perfect Ryokan experience.

Zen but practical”

a unique experience for those who have never stayed in a ryokan. one discovers that life can be just as pleasurable without much furniture. all the modern things are there - tv, fridge, closet, bathroom - but carefully hidden away. the meals were excellent - breakfast in a giant tatami-ed room overlooking a small zen garden, dinner served to the room. the common bath was another adventure - clean and pleasant.

cute place”

Love the idea of the traditional living for an experience. Just wouldn't do longer than a night here. We bought the food package because that's part of the experience, but it also made our stay more expensive. While the food was decent it wasn't worth paying extra for. One of our meals was a hot pot that had a bunch of bugs in it ALIVE. The server who served me, was very apologetic and made sure to bring me a new one, but that kinda killed the entire 4 course meal for me.

Great no frills Ryokan-themed hotel”

Well located near the Nishiki market with subway and bus options around Kyoto. Pretty much met my expectations for a clean, friendly, no frills hotel. (Note: There is a Lawson 100 nearby which sells almost everythig at 100 yen!)

Peaceful, full facility”

Small and old hotel. somepart was renovated. Good location, it is very near market. Nice staff. Overall i like this place.

Great Service”

Reception was so nice and give us so many infomations about the ryokan facilities and surrounds. We have a very good stay ans comfortable. The location is just ok not to far from JR Station and Bus Stations.

Very nice Japanese traditional style”

1. My child draws a fortune stick to get a little prize (a pen) at check in counter. So happy to start our trip. 2. Hotel lobby, corridors, rooms are in traditional style. The room is very nice. 3. While there is a bath tube in our room, I go to the public bath downstairs with my child. An impressive experience. 4. All staff are helpful and a Chinese staff speaks both Mandarin and English. 5. A light breakfast free of charge. You can pay to get a full set of Japanese breakfast as well.

Great modern ryokan experience”

Ryokans are expensive but it's nice to get the peaceful authentic experience and I recommend it for at least one night of your trip. This one was very clean and nice. The public bath was a great intro to the onsen experience. They provided yukata (kimonos) to wear and tea upon arrival. Very central location. Wifi was not very strong but enough for the basics. I recommend Watazen!

Great Ryokan”

Welcome gifts by your lucky(how many persons check in then Watazen will send corresponding chances). And Watazen also provide free bread, coffee and tea as staying guests' breakfast. Watazen close Nishiki market and Shinkyogoku street. Not far from Gion, by walk.