Kyoto Sawai puts you in the heart of Kyoto, within just a 10-minute stroll of Kenninji Temple and Yasui Konpiragu. Highlights at this guest house include free in-room WiFi. .Sights within a 15-minute walk of this Gion guest house include Yasaka Shrine and Nishiki Market.
Kyoto Sawai offers its guests room service (during limited hours). The front desk is open around the clock.
This Kyoto guest house is smoke free.
6 guestrooms or units
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Front desk (limited hours)
No smoking on site
Kyoto Sawai offers 6 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and a hairdryer. This individually decorated and furnished accommodation has separate dining areas. Beds feature down duvets and premium bedding. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)). Bathrooms include a shower, toilets with an electronic bidet, complimentary toiletries and toothbrushes and toothpaste. An iron/ironing board, change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.
In-room WiFi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)
Parking and transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
Daily continental breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: JPY 2,000 for adults and JPY 2,000 for children
Things to do
Art gallery
Shopping centre
Family friendly
Baby toys
Children's books
Children's toys
In-room microwave
Mini-fridge
Separate in-room dining area
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping on request
Accessibility
No lift
More
Genkan (entryway)
Smoking not allowed
Traditional architecture
Room amenities
Bedroom
Down comforter
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Shower
Toilet with electronic bidet
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Towels provided
Food and drink
Free bottled water
Limited room service
Microwave
Mini-fridge
Paper towels
Separate dining area
More
Air conditioning
Heating
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board on request
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee: JPY 3000 for check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight
Minimum check-in age - 19
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Kids stay free! Children 3 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
Important information
Fees
Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 100-10,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for continental breakfast: from approximately JPY 2000 for adults and from JPY 2000 for children
Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
Late check-in fee: JPY 3000 for check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight
Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and window guards
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. No on-site parking is available. This property accepts cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and window guards in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
We should mention
Children aged 3 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
As required by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, all international visitors must submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels etc). Also, it's required that lodging proprietors photocopy the passports of all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
Property is also known as
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Sawai Guesthouse
Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse Kyoto
Frequently asked questions
Does Kyoto Sawai serve breakfast?
You bet, continental breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Kyoto Sawai?
No, Kyoto Sawai does not offer an airport shuttle service.
What time are check-in & check-out at Kyoto Sawai?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Are pets allowed at Kyoto Sawai?
No, pets are not allowed.
Kyoto Sawai Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
This was the best stay on our trip to Japan, the beautiful 160yr old building was so authentic, on a classic Kyoto old charming street, the hosts were kind and our bags were already in our room when we arrived!
Excellent location, quiet yet close to everything. Very clean, lovely host, friendly and spoke great English which helped us a lot. Beautiful old style traditional Japanese rooms with modern conveniences. Would highly recommend.
True ryokan experience, which was very comfortable. Would definitely come back!
Omar
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review
2/10 Terrible
Eddie
6 July 2026
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The owner of the Airbnb leaves there and she charged taxes for each person while the hotels charge per room. Bed sheets, pillow cases, and towels are very old.
Great central location to the Old Town in Gion and walkable to plenty of nearby temples. Also close to a train station for easy access to everything else. Staff is very kind and accommodating and gave us small gifts on our way out!
If your looking for a traditional Japanese experience then look no further this stay is great offers you the experience of living in a samurais house with all the modern features that make your stay perfect and the area is peaceful beautiful and quiet.
Definitely a great location. Over priced to for we got. Our room was in a maze of tiny hallways. Although clean, the room was a storage closet. Staff was kind, the inn keeper was okay.
We loved it! We wanted the traditional old Japanese experience and this was exactly that for us. Plus the street is magical with lanterns and is very cozy. We will stay here again!
Fantastic ryokan. Very affordable all things considered and the owners are incredibly friendly and helpful. The lodgings are wonderful, as they are both beautiful and comfortable. Couldn’t recommend more
We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful traditional Japanese ryokan located in a charming alleyway adorned with lovely red lanterns. The historic rooms are spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated, featuring stunning new bathrooms that added to the comfort.
The host exemplified the true art of Japanese hospitality warm, friendly, and genuinely attentive. We truly appreciated the extra effort in setting up additional bedding for our family, preparing delicious matcha for us, accommodating our children so thoughtfully, and even providing a lovely souvenir as a memento of our stay.
Thank you so much for making our visit so special. We highly recommend this hidden gem!
Sawai is an authentic if no frills experience. However, you can’t beat the location, the look and feel of the place, and the wonderful staff. I will stay here again.
The room is cozy and comfortable, and we felt right at home. An electric kettle to make tea was an amazing touch.
The surrounding area is beautiful and we had a great time exploring.
Keiko is the most gracious and welcoming hostess, and we loved our stay at Sawai! We are already looking forward to returning to Kyoto in the future and staying here again.
We absolutely loved staying here and the owner and her husband were so welcoming and sweet to us. Location is great we watched ladies in kimonos walking by. We walked everywhere and the restaurants were great. It really was our lovely home in Kyoto.