Indulge in spa treatments or savor local flavors while surrounded by natural beauty. Explore historic streets just steps away from your serene retreat.
In the heart of Kyoto, SOWAKA offers a serene retreat with its lush garden and tranquil terrace. Unwind with a deep-tissue massage, indulge in local flavors at the restaurant, or explore nearby Maruyama Park and Kawaramachi Street on bike rentals. Connect to free WiFi, enjoy concierge services, and feel at ease with helpful staff who have left lasting impressions on previous guests.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Popular amenities
Spa
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Air-conditioning
Bar
The current price is €862
€862
4 May - 5 May
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Located in Gion, a neighbourhood in Kyoto, SOWAKA is in the entertainment district and near a train station. Kodai-ji Temple and Heian Shrine are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market. Kiyomizu Temple and Kyoto Tower are two other places to visit that come recommended. Visit our Kyoto travel guide
480 Kiyoi-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0821
What's nearby
Kodai-ji Temple
1 min walk - 0.2 km
Yasaka Shrine
2 min walk - 0.2 km
Gion Corner
4 min walk - 0.4 km
Kiyomizu Temple
10 min walk - 0.9 km
Kawaramachi Street
11 min walk - 1.0 km
Getting around
Gion-shijo Station
10 min walk
Higashiyama Station
13 min walk
Osaka (ITM-Itami)
65 min drive
Restaurants
京都勝牛 祇園八坂店
2 min walk
Hario Cafe Kyoto
2 min walk
特級ラーメン
2 min walk
ラーメン 勝鞍
3 min walk
家傳 ちりめん山椒 やよい
1 min walk
About this property
SOWAKA
Luxury hotel near Kodai-ji Temple
Located close to Maruyama Park and Kiyomizu Temple, SOWAKA provides a terrace, a garden and dry cleaning/laundry services. Treat yourself to a massage or other spa services. In addition to a bar and a restaurant, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
Continental breakfast (surcharge), bike hire and a front desk safe
Concierge services, a 24-hour front desk and free newspapers
Luggage storage and smoke-free property
Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All guest rooms are individually furnished, and feature comforts, such as premium bedding and heated floors, as well as perks, such as air conditioning and bathrobes.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
Bathrooms with rainfall showers and deep-soaking baths
Daily continental breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: JPY 6,000 per person
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Things to do
Bicycle rentals
Family friendly
In-room refrigerator
Laundry facilities
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
Free newspapers in lobby
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Concierge services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Turndown service
Outdoors
Garden
Terrace
Spa
Deep-tissue massages
Accessibility
No lift
More
Genkan (entryway)
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Down comforter
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Bidet
Deep soaking bathtub
Dressing gowns
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Rainfall showerhead
Separate bathtub and shower
Shampoo
Slippers
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Towels provided
Entertainment
Tablet computer
Food and drink
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
Limited room service
Minibar
Refrigerator
More
Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
Heated floor
Heating
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Safe
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 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
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 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
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
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 have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Fee for continental breakfast: from approximately JPY 6000 per person
Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or 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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
Up to 2 dogs are permitted in 111:Superior Casita Room, Pet-friendly, Queen Bed(Main). There is no charge for 1 dog in the room; the listed pet fee is charged only if there is an additional dog in the room.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
Property is also known as
SOWAKA Hotel Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel
SOWAKA Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel
SOWAKA Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel Kyoto
Luxury hotel SOWAKA
Frequently asked questions
Is SOWAKA pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at SOWAKA?
As of 23 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at SOWAKA on 4 May 2026 start from €862, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at SOWAKA?
This property doesn't offer parking.
What time is check-in at SOWAKA?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability). Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at SOWAKA?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee.
Where is SOWAKA located?
Located in Gion, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Maruyama Park and Kodai-ji Temple. Kiyomizu Temple and Kawaramachi Street are also within 15 minutes. Higashiyama Station is 13 minutes by foot and Sanjo Keihan Station is 14 minutes.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
SOWAKA Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
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.More informationOpens in a new window
The staff went above and beyond in taking care of my husband and myself during our visit. They helped with meal reservations/suggestions, calling taxis, and generally being incredibly welcoming.
Anything from the superb service to the quality of the rooms to the food at the restaurant was top notch. Couldn't recommend this hotel more. Beds are slightly on the firm side but that's literally the only "negative" thing I have to say.
Beautiful new hotel. Modern with traditional touches. Loved the private garden directly in front of the bed. A traditional wooden tub in the room was a great touch. The service was the best!
It was a truly wonderful stay with a very welcoming and warm team.
My room was a real delight, and the kaiseki dinner was simply exquisite.
I thoroughly enjoyed my two nights at Sowaka and only wished I could have extended my stay.
The best hotel and the best service I have ever been experienced! The breakfast’s taste surprised me with a very friendly price. Every staff there are very thoughtful!
One of the best hotel stays I’ve ever had! This was truly a luxury experience. The staff and house keeping were so thoughtful and attentive to our every need. The property was super clean and had a beautiful lobby, bar and restaurant. I would love to stay here again one day.
The staff and management did everything to make my stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable!
I have been to many hotels in kyoto. This one definitely stands out.
This stay is so much more than I expected. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Hotel itself is quiet, zen and beautiful. Room is extremely clean and full of small surprises. I can’t recommend this hotel enough! Will definitely come back if I have the chance!
The hotel, the staff, the service, the location and the food options within the hotel are all excellent. Wendy and the team went over and above to make us feel welcome. All the team have excellent knowledge of Kyoto and the local area. All their recommendations were excellent! Highly recommend Sowaka if you want the perfect stay in Kyoto with a personalised service from a top class boutique hotel.
Everything was amazing. The staff, the service, the smell of the old cedar wood, the room! It is the perfect balance of old Japanese ryokan but with modern comforts. Every evening, they left a little gift during turn down, a Japanese sweet, a little local craft, such a nice touch. The location could not be better. Loved it!
We stayed in a beautiful suite in the old part of this lovely hotel, which was a restaurant long ago. Our rooms looked out on an internal garden. We enjoyed two breakfasts and a wonderful dinner in the restaurant. One highlight was the traditional Japanese wooden tub in the bath--and of course, a lovely Toto toilet with heated seat, as are present throughout Japan.
This is a slice of heaven, a tradtional Kyoto experience in a lovely old refurbished building in a quiet street very near a major shrine. But it is also wonderfully modern with more complimentary comforts and perks than I have ever come across in any hotel in the world. You are also within easy walking distance of many sights and museums, shops, bars and restaurants. And the staff are wonderful...pleasant, friendly, knowledgeable, professional, incredibly efficient. I could not praise them or the accommodations too highly.
Ian
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
PATTY
8 Jun 2024
Best staff and service Food was wonderful
Anything I needed, they did and were so happy to please
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a smaller inn right in the heart of Gion
My room was spacious and had a beautiful garden Big yes on Sowaza!!!
A unique, tranquil small hotel, that offers total commitment to anyone staying here. Food is exceptional and lots of it. Set within walking distance of several major temples and sites, and easy walking distance to several popular shopping areas, It is even very easy to visit the popular Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) no 12 bus takes you directly there.Not the cheapest, but in my opinion worth every penny. I for one have never been looked after so well and quite emotional about leaving such a friendly enviroment.I would happily recommend Luxury hotel SOWAKA to anyone. All I can say is thankyou to all at Luxury hotel SOWAKA for such a wonderful stay while in Japan.