This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and spa services. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, concierge services, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities are onsite.
SOWAKA offers 23 accommodations with tablet computers and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. This Kyoto hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Refrigerators and minibars are provided. Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms are also outfitted with bathrobes, slippers, and bidets. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages and massages.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at SOWAKA. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Yasaka Shrine. Features include free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and a bar. This property offers pet-friendly amenities like food and water bowls.
Free WiFi
Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
Continental breakfast served daily for a fee
Services include dry cleaning/laundry, a concierge, and luggage storage
Onsite recreation includes bike rentals
Just a 3-minute walk from Maruyama Park and 4 minutes by foot from Kodai-ji Temple
Dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Spa services, a terrace, and a garden are also featured at the luxury SOWAKA.
This 4.5-star Kyoto hotel is smoke free.
For a fee, guests can enjoy continental breakfast daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
SOWAKA has a restaurant on site.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Languages
English, Japanese
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and public transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
Continental breakfast available for a fee daily 7:30 AM–9:00 AM: JPY 4235 per person
1 restaurant
1 bar
Room service available
Things to do
Bike rentals
Spa services
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Fridge
Conveniences
Free newspapers in reception
Front-desk safe
Guest services
24-hour front desk
Concierge services
Daily housekeeping
Dry-cleaning service
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Turndown service
Outdoors
Garden
Terrace
Spa
Massage - deep-tissue
Accessibility
This property does not have any lifts
More
Genkan (entrance)
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
Bed sheets
Down duvet
Heating
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Dressing gowns
Bidet
Deep-soaking bath
Free toiletries
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Rainfall showerhead
Separate bath and shower
Shampoo
Toilet paper
Towels
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Entertainment
Tablet computer
Food and drink
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
Minibar
Fridge
More
Heated floors
Individually decorated
Individually furnished
Safe
Slippers
Turndown service
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
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
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets: JPY 8470 per pet, per night
Only dogs are allowed
Maximum 2 pets
Food and water bowls are available
Certain rooms only
You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Payment types at the property
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 200-1,000 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: approximately JPY 4235 per person
Pet fee: JPY 8470 per pet, per night
Service animals are exempt from fees
Early check-in 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
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
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property in advance of arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 6:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.
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.
We should mention
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.
Pets are welcome in specific rooms only, which can be requested by contacting the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
Property is also known as
SOWAKA Hotel Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel
SOWAKA Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel
SOWAKA Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel Kyoto
Luxury hotel SOWAKA
SOWAKA Reviews
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
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!
Luya
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
Wonderful traditional hotel with excellent service. Rooms are large and comfortable.
Clay
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Christopher
23 Jul 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
This hotel was just amazing. The location, design, uniqueness, rooms and especially the staff were top notch. We couldn’t recommend it enough. They went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. We can’t recommend this hotel enough.
My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon and it was amazing! The hospitality and attention to detail in service will not be beat. And the hotel grounds itself are beautifully traditional. If we return to Kyoto, we will absolutely stay here again
Pros:
Beautiful hotel and room in an amazing neighborhood in Kyoto. Close to great restaurants, shopping and activities.
Cons:
Bed was extremely uncomfortable and hard. Hotel has no food except the michelin star restaurant below, so no other dining options if you want to stay and enjoy your room.
Bar and common areas have no ambience. The rooftop that is promoted on their website is not as advertised.
Overall, the hotel is not worth the price. Communication is impossible as they do not answer emails- I have been requesting an invoice for weeks now and have had no response from them.
I love everything about this place - I hope to come again with my parents. The amenities were great and the dinning experience was beautiful. I really enjoyed my stay here from the moment we entered the door.
The Sowaka team and their hospitality was the best we experienced in our two week, four city, trip to Japan. Everyone was extremely nice, accommodating and helpful. The hotel was very clean and the rooms were unique and comfortable. The location is perfect and the front desk is very helpful in calling taxis if you need them. Breakfast is served at the restaurant and a great way to start the day. Would absolutely recommend staying here.
Staff was amazing. One of the best places to stay if you want to witness the heart of Gion. Close to everything while being in a quiet and beautiful location.
This was the 3rd time I stayed at Sowaka. Very convenient location and a beautiful old town part of Kyoto. Yet, you can walk to major shopping areas in a few minutes. All the rooms are different and unique.