Kyoto VI

来者如歸

The first question when planning a trip is where to stay?  For a big city like Kyoto, of course you can opt for a Western-style hotel like Granvia (on top of the JR Kyoto Station). But for an authentic Japanese experience, I recommend a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). In a ryokan, you can experience: living in a room with Tatami (straw mat) flooring, changing into a typical Yukata (robe) after taking an Onsen hot-spring bath, sleeping on a Futon (bedding) put down directly on the Tatami floor, and etc.

 

Kyoto’s top 3 historic ryokans are Tawaraya, Hiiragiya and Sumiya. A night in any of the 3 ryokans will cost at least 90000 yen per person. Even though dinner and breakfast are included, it’s still extremely pricey. Not for ordinary people like you and me.

 

But there is always an alternative… Hiiragiya operates another ryokan called the Hiiragiya Bekkan (means Annex). It’s not as extravagant as the main one so the most expensive room is only 25000 yen per person. Some go as low as 18000 yen. But I recommend getting the rooms face onto a Japanese garden.
Service is impeccable. The Kaiseki dinner is very nice as well. The room decor is classic and the garden is lovely.
And I like their motto: 来者如歸 (means the guest will feel as comfortable as in his/her own home, you will see the 4 big characters in the front foyer)

 

Some people may question the logic to fork over 25000 yen to feel like sleeping at home when you can do it for free… but I think it’s worth every single penny.

 

When I have saved enough money, I will definitely try the original Hiiragiya at least once…

Here are some photos I took at Hiiragiya Bekkan. And their motto from the website.

 

http://www.hiiragiya.co.jp/