Exactly the traditional ryokan experience we were looking for. Kind and attentive staff tended to our every need. The accommodations are clean, comfortable, and quiet with the beautiful smell of cedar permeating the ryokan. Scheduling the bath was done at check in. The shower and bath were fantastic. Very relaxing. Dinner was a phenomenal experience. What a wonderful way to try new preparations and flavors we would typically not know to order. The whole broiled fish was a favorite, along with the one pot course. Skillfully prepared and presented. We chose the traditional Japanese breakfast to round out a traditional Japanese experience and despite it being a very different breakfast than what we would typically have, we loved it! One night was sufficient for us but well worth it. We would gladly come back again!!

Overall experience was great. Service was very good and staff were excellent. I did not think the quality of the dinner was great and the pillows were not very comfortable to me, but loved the experience other than that.

It was very authentic, which is what we wanted

Staff were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast and dinner were delicious, with very generous portions.

A family reunion trip of 10 with 8 adult children and spouses. It was their first time to Japan and staying at Motonago couldn’t have been more perfect. Truly we felt treated by the staff, the location, the food, the authentic courtesies like we experienced the absolute best of traditional Japan. Several party members were moved to tears. Highly recommend staying here

Motonago was the highlight of our time in Kyoto. Small, intimate ryokan located near major temples and shopping. The services was excellent, our room and property quiet, and the meals were delicious. The bath requires prior reservations, which the staff made easy, and it was delightful.

The ryokan was elegantly beautiful in its simplicity. The food was delicious and artfully arranged. The staff was helpful and very friendly. I would definitely recommend this place to others!

Our first time in Japan we wanted to try a ryokan and this one did not disappoint. the most fabulous thing about it was the thoroughly attentive and kind staff who went out of our way to make our stay comfortable and really treated us like royalty. They even held our bags all day.

Very clean, service is on point, close to attractions, and comfy beds. Would def come back.

I'd never stayed at a traditional ryokan before, and this definitely exceeded my expectations! The multi-course dinner was beautifully presented and delicious (though it's a set menu with a lot of fish, so you might not enjoy it if you don't like fish or seafood). Breakfast was equally good. Both were served in a room with a view of a beautiful little Japanese garden. The room was very spacious - it was divided into three chambers (which was great because my husband and I were staying with a friend, and she moved her futon to the third chamber to avoid my husband's snoring, haha). There was also a space in the middle with a table where we were served tea when we first arrived. The bath was delightful as well - it's similar to a mini onsen, but you get your own personal time to soak in the hot bath after showing. The staff were all lovely and catered to our every need. I think we would have been able to manage without speaking Japanese, since everybody spoke some English, but my friend speaks Japanese pretty well, so she made it much easier. Overall it was a very cool stay and I'd highly recommend it!

Ryokan Motonago was a perfect place for us to spend our first night in Kyoto. Location is excellent in the Gion area,it’s a charming neighborhood of winding streets and shops. we could walk to the Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. We opted for the Kaiseki dinner and found it a great experience. We ate in our room sitting on the floor, and slept on futons they prepared after dinner. For bathing you make an appointment to use the communal bath. It’s a room with showers and a large tub- you clean off at the shower then can have a soak. It’s private to your party. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We took a taxi there from Kyoto station, which was good because not sure we would have found it on our own. In front are sliding wooden slotted doors and he had to show us we could just open them and go in. One night was perfect for us. We moved to a western style hotel for the rest of our stay

It was very cozy and the service was exceptional. I wasn't very familiar with Ryokan etiquette, but they were very helpful in answering my questions. The staff was also very accommodating! All in all a very neat experience. あらゆる点でこの場所をお勧めします 優れたサービス

This small Ryokan is located in the Gion area of Kyoto. Housed inside a very old wooden inn, a single host family runs the establishment. Check in opens kind of late, but the staff were nice enough to allow us to check in a few hours early to drop off our bags, made our trip so much easier. The location itself is a little difficult to find at first, but it is very centrally located within the Gion/neighboring districts with easy access to two of Kyoto's biggest temples. After a long day of exploring, we returned to the ryokan and were immediately greeted and taken care of by the wonderful staff. From the get go they were friendly and went out of their way to accommodate us in our room. The evening began with green tea and establishing a reservation for the private onsen downstairs. The room itself was spacious and filled with personality. From the artwork on the walls, to the meticulously arranged flower setting, to even the small origami left on our bed mats, every detail was exquisite. Although we did not opt for dinner, we did request the japanese breakfast option. All I can say is that it was spectacular. The hostess set the table and brought out a big spread of traditional food and even went as far as to help us with actual serving etiquete and the ideal combinations for plates. I would definitely reccomend purchasing the meals whenever possible. When we finally checked out, the staff helped us with our bags and even took our pictures outside. Wholeheartedly reccomend!

A great example of Japanese hospitality. We only stayed one night, but I felt spoiled from the time we arrived to when we left. The staff are all so courteous and try to fulfil your every wish. When we checked out, they called a taxi for us and wanted to take a picture of us in from of the ryokan before the taxi arrived. The staff will remain with you until the taxi arrives and even help you into the car! I can’t say enough great things about this experience. All the food is wonderful as well. If they give you a choice of continental breakfast or Japanese style, go Japanese, because why wouldn’t you!!!

The staff are super friendly. Wonderful traditional Japanese experience. You’ll have to reserve the onsen/shower room, but it’s worth it! Super relaxing!

Our stay at Motonago was great, from the service to the food, we tried the breakfast, and the dinner, which is kaiseki style, and it was all amazing. It made our stay in Kyoto unforgettable.

Incredible ryokan experience in Kyoto! So close to Gion! Beautiful, hospitable hosts who went out of their way to make us feel welcome! Delicious breakfast. Private onsen was just amazing. Would definitely recommend!

Traditional Japanese style bath. Excellent hospitality $ service in traditional zjapanese manner.

I was truly transported to a time of tradition and harmony. The location was spectacular - right in the historic part of town surrounded by heritage buildings, shrines and temples - all accessed by tiny windy streets and stairs. The inn (ryokan) itself was impeccably kept, and every last detail was considered, from the robe and slippers you where, to the traditional breakfast and dinner served in your room. Make SURE you book the bath house every morning and every evening - it was so relaxing and transformative - you could pay half the price of the room just for this experience elsewhere. Here it is included. The staff were attentive and considerate from the very first minute and throughout the stay. Highly recommended.

This was a superb traditional experience for us - a highlight of our trip. We stayed one night and found the staff to be so helpful and considerate. The public bath can be booked so a couple can use it together, and we booked a traditional Japanese breakfast which was wonderful and served in our room. Definitely recommend this experience to couples or singles travelling to Kyoto to make the most of the Japanese hospitality away from the main tourist strips.