Nissho Besso is housed in a two-story wooden building from the Edo era, originally a wealthy merchant's home. The 18 rooms feature tatami flooring, traditional futon bedding, and private bathrooms. Options include 8, 10, or 12.5-tatami mat rooms, each with air conditioning, a fridge, and a flat-screen TV. Two budget rooms share a bathroom.
Public Bath & Hot Springs
The basement has public baths with equal capacity for men and women, equipped with a Kohmeiseki hot spring tub and two Shigara-yaki pottery tubs. Since 2021, the baths include microbubble generators ('Mira Bath' and 'Mirable Shower Head') for stress relief.
Kyoto's Heart Location
The hotel is a 6-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station and 500 meters from Honnoji Temple. Nearby landmarks include Kyoto Imperial Palace (1.5 km), Nishiki Market (1.5 km), and Kyoto International Manga Museum (0.5 km). Osaka Itami Airport is 39 km away.
Meals & Sustainability
Most room plans include breakfast and dinner. The hotel emphasizes sustainability with initiatives like eco-toilet paper, well water usage, and waste separation. Guests can participate in workshops on traditional furoshiki (wrapping cloth) techniques.
Traditional Kyoto Experience
Rooms preserve historic details, with sliding doors, seasonal decor, and garden views in some suites. The tea room in the Deluxe Suite overlooks a garden. The hotel supports local culture through kimono-clad staff, seasonal flower arrangements, and Kyoto-made crafts.
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Choose the Room
From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.
While the ryokan is beautifully traditional and clean, my experience was marred by a poor price-to-quality ratio and disappointing staff interactions. The location is excellent, close to shops and markets, but the room's lack of authenticity and dated facilities left much to be desired for the price we paid.
Rooms
5.0
The room was clean but felt more like a basic, well-maintained 2-star accommodation. The ugly plastic bathroom and frosted window took away from the authentic Japanese experience I was hoping for.
Service
5.0
The service varied; while some staff members were friendly, my interactions were often met with coldness and a lack of helpfulness, which was disappointing.
Location
9.0
The location was great, just a short walk to subway stations and markets, making it convenient for exploring Kyoto.
Dining
8.0
Breakfast was a pleasant experience, offering fresh, authentic cuisine daily, which I appreciated.
Facilities
5.0
Facilities felt outdated, especially the bathroom and lighting, which did not align with a traditional ryokan experience.
Frank
United States,
October
2024
8.0/10
My stay at Nissho Besso was quite frustrating, as the accommodations didn't meet my expectations based on the booking platform. While the location was in a nice neighborhood and the cleanliness of the place was commendable, the service was lacking and made me feel unwelcome. The value for money was also disappointing, considering the high price for a room that felt more like a basic setup. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this hotel.
Rooms
5.0
The room was part of a two-story townhouse that felt more like a DIY apartment. It had a western-style living room and kitchenette downstairs and traditional tatami mat bedrooms upstairs, but I wasn't impressed with the lack of maid service and the overall layout.
Service
5.0
The service was not what I expected; staff seemed indifferent and unhelpful, particularly when it came to addressing my concerns about the room and Wi-Fi issues.
Location
8.0
The guesthouse is located in a charming neighborhood and is a short walk from local markets and temples, which I appreciated.
Dining
Facilities
5.0
Access to the baths was denied, which was a major letdown for me since it was a key reason for choosing a ryokan experience.
C.
United States,
October
2024
6.6/10
My stay at the ryokan had its highlights and lowlights. While the location offered a peek into traditional Kyoto and the experience felt genuine, the service left something to be desired with some strict rules regarding check-out. The room was basic but clean, though it didn't fully deliver on the authentic charm I expected based on the pricing. Overall, it was a memorable experience but not without its challenges.
Rooms
6.0
The room was basic, clean, and well-suited for a family, but it lacked authentic charm and felt more like a 2-star accommodation despite the high price.
Service
5.0
The staff tried to be accommodating, but there were communication barriers, and I found the strict rules frustrating, especially with a child.
Location
7.0
The location was decent, not too far from the subway and interesting markets, but a bit remote if you're hauling luggage.
Dining
8.0
The breakfast was traditional and beautifully presented, showcasing different ingredients, which I appreciated.
Facilities
7.0
Facilities like the communal baths were a highlight, adding to the traditional experience, though amenities were quite basic.
Ann
United States,
October
2024
6.0/10
My stay at the ryokan was a mixed bag. On one hand, it had a charming vibe and the traditional experience was authentic. However, the confusing room arrangement and the lack of basic amenities like Wi-Fi in the room were quite off-putting. Additionally, the service was inconsistent, which made things uncomfortable at times.
Rooms
5.0
We were placed in a two-story townhouse which was nicely decorated, but it felt more like a rental than a true ryokan experience. The western-style living space didn't meet my expectations of traditional Japanese hospitality.
Service
5.0
The service ranged from welcoming to unhelpful. While some staff tried to assist, others were less than accommodating, which diminished the overall experience.
Location
7.0
The location was in a quaint neighborhood close to shops, though it was a bit of a trek to public transport which made carrying luggage challenging.
Dining
Facilities
Francis
United States,
September
2024
5.8/10
I had a lovely stay with some unique experiences at the ryokan, but it wasn't without its challenges. The rooms offered a traditional Japanese feel, and the staff were generally very friendly. However, there were issues with room assignments and Wi-Fi connectivity that were quite disappointing. While I enjoyed the cultural experience, the service could have been better, especially in handling our expectations.
Rooms
6.0
We stayed in a separate townhouse that was spacious, but it didn't meet our expectations of a traditional ryokan experience. The lack of maid service was something I didn't anticipate.
Service
5.0
The staff tried to be accommodating, but the lack of helpfulness in addressing our concerns, especially regarding the Wi-Fi, was frustrating. They seemed overwhelmed and not genuinely welcoming.
Location
7.0
While the ryokan is tucked away in a charming area, the walk to nearby transport was quite a hassle with heavy luggage.
Dining
5.0
Our experience with the dining options was limited due to the location; the suggestions provided were outdated, which made dinnertime quite a challenge.
Facilities
6.0
The communal bath facilities were quite nice, but the Wi-Fi issues were a letdown.
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