Sumiya Ryokan

9.2
Exceptional
(141 reviews)

431 31 Shirakabecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8076, Japan

+81 75-221-2188

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Hotel Description

Sumiya Ryokan, located at 431 31 Shirakabecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8076, Japan, is a traditional Japanese inn offering a serene retreat in the heart of Kyoto. The ryokan’s proximity to key cultural and historical attractions makes it a perfect choice for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Kyoto. Situated just a 6-minute walk from Kawaramachi metro station, the inn is conveniently located near famous landmarks such as the Nishiki Market, a bustling hub of local cuisine, and the 17th-century Nijō Castle, a historic site that once served as the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. Guests can also explore the nearby Museum of Kyoto or the Kyoto International Manga Museum, all within walking distance. The ryokan’s interior evokes a traditional Japanese aesthetic, with serene rooms that feature tatami flooring, chabudai dining tables, and tranquil garden views. Guests can experience the timeless charm of Japanese culture with the hotel’s tea ceremonies in its tearoom or take a moment to relax in the beautiful garden.
The rooms at Sumiya Ryokan offer comfort and elegance, blending traditional Japanese design with modern conveniences. Featuring free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and some rooms equipped with futons for a more authentic stay, the rooms cater to both comfort and style. Some accommodations also include a traditional chabudai table, perfect for guests to enjoy their meals or relax. Room service is available, ensuring that guests have everything they need during their stay.
A complimentary breakfast and dinner are served, offering a chance to experience authentic Japanese cuisine right at the inn. The meals are carefully prepared using fresh, local ingredients, allowing guests to savor the unique flavors of Kyoto. Guests will find the service at Sumiya Ryokan particularly remarkable, with many praising the friendly and attentive staff.
The amenities at the ryokan include free Wi-Fi throughout the property, making it easy for guests to stay connected. While there is no fitness center, spa, or pool, the inn's peaceful garden, tearoom, and pet-friendly policy offer a unique, relaxing atmosphere. The inn also features a restaurant serving delicious local dishes and a vending machine for added convenience.
For guests wishing to explore the local area, the location of Sumiya Ryokan is ideal. The nearest public transit stations are a mere 9-minute walk away, allowing guests easy access to the rest of Kyoto. Kyoto Station is about a 13-minute taxi ride away, while other nearby stations like Sanjo Station and Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station are within walking distance.
Health and safety are a priority at Sumiya Ryokan, with various measures in place to ensure the well-being of all guests. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, the hotel is committed to providing a safe and relaxing environment.
Nearby attractions include Kiyomizu-dera, a famous Buddhist temple offering stunning views, Fushimi Inari Taisha, with its iconic red gates, and the tranquil Kinkaku-ji Temple, known for its gold-leaf-covered facade. Guests can also visit the Nishiki Market for a taste of Kyoto’s vibrant food culture or explore the gardens and history of Nijō Castle.
With its perfect location, traditional ambiance, and modern amenities, Sumiya Ryokan provides an unforgettable experience for guests seeking to explore the cultural and historical treasures of Kyoto. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Sumiya Ryokan promises to make your stay in Kyoto a memorable one.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Serene traditional Japanese rooms with tatami flooring

2. Complimentary breakfast and dinner offering local cuisine

3. Tranquil garden and tearoom for tea ceremonies

4. Pet-friendly policy and welcoming atmosphere

5. Walking distance to Nishiki Market, Nijō Castle, and Museum of Kyoto

6. Close to public transportation with easy access to Kyoto Station

7. Remarkable service with attentive and friendly staff

8. Free Wi-Fi throughout the property

9. Room service available for added convenience

10. Easy access to Kyoto’s top cultural and historical sights


9.8 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Kiyomizu-dera
16 min
Fushimi Inari Taisha
21 min
Nishiki Market
5 min
Nijō Castle
8 min
Kinkaku-ji
21 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out10:30
Location rating9.8
Nearest airportOsaka International Airport (Itami Airport)
Travel time to airport59 min

Location

431 31 Shirakabecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8076, Japan

Airports:

Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport)

Taxi: 59 min

Transit: 1 hr 26 min

Nagoya Airport (Komaki Airport)

Transit: 1 hr 46 min

Taxi: 1 hr 58 min

Kobe Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 28 min

Transit: 1 hr 44 min

Chubu Centrair International Airport

Transit: 1 hr 44 min

Taxi: 2 hr 8 min

Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Taxi: 1 hr 35 min

Transit: 2 hr 15 min

Transit:

Kyoto Station

Taxi: 13 min

Walking: 43 min

Sanjo Station

Walking: 9 min

Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station

Walking: 9 min

Nijo Station

Taxi: 10 min

Walking: 35 min

Yamashina Station

Taxi: 19 min

Walking: 1 hr 23 min


Nearby locations

9.8

Exceptional Location

Nakagyo Ward

Shopping area with sushi at Nishiki Market & samurai history at Nijō Castle, plus Museum of Kyoto.

Top Attractions


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

Pet-friendly

Food & drink

Restaurant

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

8.9

60 reviews

Wonderful
43
Excellent
11
Good
1
Below Average
1
Not Good
4
Cover Image for bambus h

bambus h

4/5
It was a delicious fish dinner. Meals can be served in your room. The taste was great, but the portions were really substantial and left me feeling full. The rooms we stayed in were on the second floor, and although they were not very large, all rooms had a view of the courtyard. The room consisted of a bedroom (bed), a living room, a toilet, and a cypress bath. Good points are the food and location. Nishiki Market is within walking distance. I visited by car, but you can park your car until the next morning at the parking lot, which is about a 1-minute walk away. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.

Cover Image for あんちゃん

あんちゃん

4/5
The room had a dimly lit atmosphere with a historical feel, and I couldn't hear the sounds around me, so it felt like time had stopped.I was lying down looking out at the courtyard, listening to the soothing sound of water dripping from the Tsukubai, and the next thing I knew I had fallen unconscious.Dinner was also carefully prepared Kyoto cuisine, which was delicious, and the menu went well with Japanese sake.It had a different feel from Tawaraya Ryokan, and it was an inn that I would like to visit again.

Cover Image for Jim Doherty

Jim Doherty

5/5
Our stay at Sumiya Ryokan was just wonderful. We stayed in a traditional Japanese room, but it was actually more like an appartment with several rooms and access to a small courtyard garden. The quality of the service, the attention paid to every detail and the variety and quality of the meals made the overall experience unforgettable.

Room 5

Service 5

Location5

聡天

聡美 天

5/5
[Summary] |・The charm of this inn lies in the ease of the regulars and the great consideration that lies behind it.|・In order to notice that thoughtfulness, the visitor also needs EQ and education. …

F

FarAway50284327108

5/5
Experience the feeling of being a young lady from a famous Kyoto family! I was greeted with a ``Welcome,'' and walked through Shinkyogoku and Teramachi Kyogoku. …

Cover Image for onaka note

onaka note

5/5
[Building] The building is a Sukiya-style building with a Taisho-roman feel, and at the entrance there were elegant and gorgeous decorations hanging from the ceiling. Everything is so nice, including the retro-patterned doormats and pots and other ornaments.[Room and garden] The greenery of butterflies and bamboo leaves in the small garden seen from the wide veranda of the room where we stayed is soothing. The chairs and tables placed on the wide veranda are very cute. Coupled with the well and lanterns, it was as if I had traveled back in time to the Taisho era.[Dining place] We had breakfast and evening meals in a separate room with a courtyard, which was also wonderful. The sounds of happy conversation coming from the opposite room across the courtyard (I can't hear the content of the conversation as it's quite far away) and the shadows appearing and disappearing behind the shoji screen are just like something out of a Ghibli or Miyazaki movie. It was like entering the world of a Spirited Away movie. I'm so excited.[Meals] All of the dishes served here were carefully prepared, beautifully decorated, and delicious. A distinctive feature of the evening meal is that it also incorporates cute elements. I was able to enjoy the beautiful tableware and kaiseki cuisine. Salmon for breakfast is wonderful and delicious. It was excellent both at night and in the morning.[Bath] We used the family bath. I was actually not sure whether to go see the illuminations at night, but I was able to relax in Maki Takano's large bath (not a hot spring), so I made the right choice. This is a bath that I would like to recommend.[Hospitality] Ryokan in Kyoto may have an image of being difficult to enter, but there is no need to worry. The hostess was a charming person, and the waitress was elegant and very kind. A lovely inn with great hospitality.

Cover Image for Shuang Ni

Shuang Ni

5/5
A great place to experience traditional Japanese hotel style. The service is excellent. They’ve already filled the bathtub with hot water when we arrived. The kaiseki dinner and breakfast are very special and tasty.

Room 5

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for 東野朗

東野朗

5/5
We serve the best Kyoto cuisine in Kyoto.

Room 5

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for まりや阿部

まりや阿部

1/5
I stayed at the Kyoto Sumiya Ryokan on November 28th.The old room on the first floor was spacious and nice, but the dinner was kaiseki, but it was cold and the taste was not good.I have been to many luxury hotels that are very sophisticated, but it was the worst.

Cover Image for guaruderico

guaruderico

5/5
Both the previous generation and the previous generation were sukiya who were knowledgeable about the tea ceremony, so this is the ultimate inn that embodies the culture of the tea ceremony in all its aspects, including architecture, interior design, cuisine, and hospitality.It is truly an inn worthy of being the main feature of sightseeing in Kyoto.■Cooking/tasteIt's basically tea kaiseki cuisine, but overall it's not extravagant, but rather delicious and deeply flavorful. Of course, high-quality ingredients such as matsutake mushrooms from Koyasan are also used in the form of matsutake rice, but each dish is truly a dish that really sinks into your body.In the world of tea, ``drinking tea'' is the main event, and eating the food before that is considered to be ``just a means to complement the taste of the tea.'' Naturally, the food was a wonderful group of dishes served with beautiful pottery and lacquerware (by the way, you can have tea before checking out).What I particularly liked was Ginkgo's suri nagashi, which made me feel like there was such a dish out there. This is a dish that perfectly takes advantage of the unique bitterness of ginkgo nuts, and is a wonderful dish to experience for the first time.■Service/AtmosphereThe location is close to the downtown area of ​​Shijo, and the surrounding area is lively, but for some reason Sumiya Ryokan is a wonderfully tranquil space. I wonder why it's so quiet. Even though it's a place where you can walk about two blocks into town and there are tons of tourists.So you can enjoy the quiet nights of Kyoto while soaking in a bathtub made from Koya Maki, which is said to be softer and smoother than cypress.When you take a closer look at the interior design, you will be impressed by its splendor. What particularly caught my attention was the wall in the guest room, which was handcrafted by a plasterer and designed to resemble the ridgeline of Mt. Higashiyama.In addition, the handles on the sliding doors are also lovely, as his ancestor was a blacksmith. A gourd or a bamboo leaf...It would also be nice if the ceiling was made of wickerwork.Everything else, from the hanging shaft to the flowers arranged, is linked to the season and expresses the current season along with the food.As for hospitality, the same traditional customer service staff will handle everything from preparing meals in your room to setting up futons. Conversations flow naturally, and we talk about things related to the inn, seasonal topics, etc., without being intrusive, but with attentive customer service.The lady who comes to greet us during dinner is also beautiful.This inn truly embodies the comprehensive art of tea ceremony.