Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo is housed in a traditional Japanese building enclosed by a long wooden wall with an atmospheric entrance gate flanked by two large paper lanterns, reached via a small bridge spanning a little stream. Once through the gates, guests step into a lovely courtyard with a traditional Japanese rock garden. The entrance to the ryokan is through sliding wooden screen doors, which reveal the wood-paneled reception area. The ambience is rustic and romantic. Staying true to the ryokan tradition and aesthetic, the decor of the public spaces and guest rooms is simple and minimal: Woven straw tatami mats cover the floors, the walls and ceilings are paneled with wood, paneled screen doors separate rooms, and paper lanterns and Japanese scrolls are the main decorative touches. The color scheme is a palette of neutral, natural tones: beige, brown, black, white. The restaurant and many of the guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beautiful gardens and a large fish pond, with views of the Higashiyama mountains beyond. The property also has an “onsen," a Japanese public bath, which is a typical feature of a traditional ryokan. The romantic ambience attracts many tourists traveling as couples, but this ryokan is also popular with families. 

Located outside the city center in the eastern part of Kyoto, this property is close to the historic Nanzen-ji temple, a six-minute walk away. The hotel is on a quiet and leafy residential street, next to a large wooded area, which is part of the temple complex. On the small side street leading to the temple, there are a few cafes and shops. Though it’s outside the city center, transportation links are good: The nearest public bus stop is a six-minute walk away, and Keage subway station is within a five-minute walk.

• 14-minute subway ride to Kyoto International Manga Museum
• 20-minute subway ride to Kawaramachi shopping district
• 21-minute subway ride to Kyoto Station
• 21-minute subway ride to Nijo Castle
• 16-minute bus ride to the historic Gion area
• 27-minute bus ride to Nishiki Market
• 32-minute bus ride to Kyoto Imperial Palace
• 33-minute bus ride to Ryoan-ji Temple
• 25-minute drive to Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion)
• 24-minute drive to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion)
• 90-minute drive to Kansai International Airport

The 18 rooms at the Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo come in a variety of sizes. Some have a traditional Japanese bath, set in beautiful rustic-style bathrooms, while other rooms lack private bathrooms. Some of the more spacious rooms are made up of a suite of rooms divided by sliding screens, and have floor-to-ceiling windows with magnificent views of the traditional gardens, and small outdoor terraces. Tatami mats line the floors, and cupboards built into the walls hide bedding, so that the space can be used during the day. While guests are at dinner, staff lay out futons on the floor, which are then removed the next morning during the breakfast service. Green tea and mineral water are provided, as well as traditional “yukata” robes and slippers for guests to wear in their rooms. All guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, toiletries in the bathrooms, hairdryers, mini-fridges, and safes. While some of the guest rooms have been updated, others show signs of wear and tear, including stained carpets, tattered wallpaper, and peeling silicon and worn wooden floorboards in the bathrooms.

The Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo has a charming on-site restaurant serving regional Kyoto cuisine, with customary floor seating, overlooking the gardens and the fish pond, as well as a Western-style dining room. Breakfast is also served here (for a hefty extra fee) with a Western option. Vegetarian meals can be requested one day in advance. Another notable feature is the property’s traditional “onsen," or public bath, which has separate pools for men and women. The roomy lounge adjacent to the reception area has a computer available for guests’ use, and there’s also a souvenir shop and vending machine selling drinks. A free luggage storage service is offered, as well as free bicycle rental and on-site parking, and massages can be booked for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.