Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei, Kyoto

Yomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei offers a genuine immersion into traditional Japanese living right in Central Kyoto. This hotel is steeped in history, built on the same land where the long-established Ryuan Hatsusegawa produced high-quality Japanese lacquerware since 1792. It's well-located for travelers, with Kawaramachi-dori Street just eight minutes away on foot and the Pontocho area a 15-minute walk.  

The rooms at Yomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei offer a mix of Western and Japanese styles, allowing you to choose the experience that suits you best. Grab the Sakura Suite, which accommodates up to four people and offers a Western-style twin bed alongside a Japanese-style area for futons, or opt for one of the maisonettes on the top floor that provide a rooftop garden view. Other options include the Mingei-style room, which captures the essence of a traditional Kyoto house, the teahouse-inspired Sukiya-style room, and the simple Shoin-style room with its simple, functional vibe.

Each morning, you can choose from Japanese, Western, vegan, or gluten-free breakfasts and end the day with a Kyoto-style Bento dinner if you're not in the mood to dine out. Other amenities include a bar, private bath, and a cultural workshop where you can try your hand at flower arrangement (Ikebana), dress in traditional Kimono, or learn the art of calligraphy (Shodo). You also have the opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, where the preparation and presentation of matcha, a powdered green tea, is performed as an art form.