My Saka Hotel Kyoto Review: A Perfect Modern Ryokan

Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Audrey

Wondering if you should stay at the Saka Hotel Kyoto? Here's my unbiased review.

When I visited Kyoto last year, it was the first time I showed my family around Japan, and I decided that I wanted to splurge a little on a nicer hotel. 

After a lot of debate, I settled on Saka Hotel Kyoto, a modern ryokan that seamlessly mixes traditional ryokan features with contemporary comforts, located just steps away from Kiyomizu-dera, my favorite temple in the city.

I spent three days in Saka Hotel Kyoto, and explored the hotel in its entirety, so I feel like I can give you some good insight. Here’s my unbiased, unsponsored review of Saka Hotel, and whether it’s a good choice for your trip to Kyoto (hint: it probably is!)

My Saka Hotel Review

Who this hotel is best for

❤️ Perfect for: Couples, families, special occasions, luxury seekers

❌ Not ideal for: Budget travelers, large families with young kids

"Immaculate. The hotel is new and very cozy, with a great location. Excellent cleaning, and the personnel were very friendly and patient to my endless requests and questions. We had three breakfasts and  each one was really a gourmet piece of art." 

Olena (Read more reviews)

Room Types & Features

There are 38 guest rooms in Saka Hotel Kyoto, with multiple different room types ranging from twin, double, and Japanese style with futon beds.

I stayed in their Superior Twin bed, which is said to have 2 twin beds with a width of 121 cm x 203 cm. However, it felt like they were both full or queen size to me, so don’t mistakenly think that you’ll be fitting on a tiny single bed like most business hotels in Japan have. 

Also, their “double” room has one king-size bed that is 183 cm x 203 cm, an important distinction!

Sadly, even though their twin bedrooms could probably fit 4 people, only 2 are allowed. You may be able to fit small children in a twin room, just make sure to check with the hotel first.

Alternatively, you could reserve the Japanese room and fit up to 5 guests in there. 

Room Features

The room features will slightly vary, but every room has a hinoki wood bath to enjoy a long soak, as well as high-quality amenities. I had a sunken hori-gotatsu table in my room, which was comfortable for lounging and sitting. Some rooms have a terrace or panoramic townscape view of Kyoto city. 

A couple of their rooms also have a private, large open-air bath to enjoy with a beautiful outdoor terrace, decorated with trees and natural sights. 

Pros & Cons Summary

Deep Dive of Saka Hotel Kyoto: The Pros

First, let's get into the good stuff about Saka Hotel. And believe me, it's quite a long list.

✅ Quiet Neighborhood Next to Iconic Attractions

Saka Hotel is located right in the heart of the bustling Higashiyama district, right off the corner in a peaceful, quiet street. 

The hotel is a tranquil respite which felt like the perfect end to a busy day exploring the temples and shops of Kyoto.

I originally chose Saka Hotel Kyoto due to its close proximity to Kiyomizu Temple, my favorite temple in the city. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the hotel was also close to Yakasa Pagoda, Yakasa Shrine, Kyoto National Museum, and tons of shopping streets down the hill. 

It’s just a 5-minute walk to Kiyomizu Temple or Yakasa Pagoda. Since the gates open at 6 am, you can enjoy a quiet morning stroll to visit before the crazy crowds start flooding in. 

After we checked out of the hotel on our last day in Kyoto, we walked a few minutes down the hill to wander around Higashiyama, browsing the Porter store and snacking on street shops.

✅ Modern, spacious rooms

The hotel only has 38 rooms, and they are all very spacious, with tatami floors, earthy tones, and soothing ambient lighting to instill relaxation the moment you step in. 

The hotel has many different room types, from twin beds to Japanese-style rooms big enough for 5 guests. Some rooms even have a partially open air bath, so you can enjoy relaxing near the trees outside. We stayed in their Superior Twin room, which had two double beds and a hori-gotatsu table, so we could experience a traditional living space. 

I have to admit this room was the largest room I’ve ever had in Japan. It looked freshly renovated and was huge. Our two “twin” beds were not twin size, the beds felt as big as queen beds. The interior design was simple and warm, feeling high-end with quality amenities and functional details that exuded a quiet luxury. 

✅ Endless Amenities

Our room had tons of great free stuff. Face masks, lotion, yukata, coffee, tea, and the sake bottle for our bath were all complimentary.

Additionally, the hotel has an ambient lounge area that’s open 24/7, where you can take free ice cream, Japanese snacks, and make cafe coffee and tea. And I’m talking good snacks. The quality stuff. I grabbed some every night, and I have no shame about it. 

From 4 to 6 PM, they also serve sparkling wine and other alcoholic drinks here for free. We were always out during that time so we missed it.

There are also massage chairs and children's books available in English and Japanese. Lastly, you’ll find a fun bit of history on the backstory of the hotel on the wall. 

✅ Wood bath in every room

Every room has a hinoki wooden bath in homage to the Japanese tradition of a long, relaxing soak at the end of the day. It’s the perfect way to unwind after days of walking all over the country.

You’ll also find a local Fushimi sake bottle in your room to add to your bath water. It’s a local Japanese beauty secret to make your skin extra soft and smooth! They replace it every day so you can enjoy it again and again. 

✅ Private Onsen to rent

Kyoto is not a hot spring area, so there aren’t really true onsen facilities here. However, in addition to the hinoki wood room in our room, Saka Hotel also has a beautiful hot tub tau-yasaka bath that we could rent for 4,400 JPY ($30) for 50 minutes.

It was a bit pricey to rent out, but we decided to try it out to experience the onsen culture. You can reserve it in advance by emailing them like I did, or you can reserve when you check-in.

When it’s time for your bath, the staff take the time to walk you there, and you’re instructed to use the available phone to call when you’re finished so they can clean it.

Looking for a private onsen in Tokyo? Here are the best ryokan with private baths.

The wash room was spacious, with more luxury amenities. They had a Dyson fan and the latest Dyson hair dryer, along with hair ties, hair nets, face towels, and fresh ice water with lemons. 

The ceramic hot tub is large, with enough space for even 6 people to enjoy. There is a view of Yasaka Pagoda outside, but you have to stand up to see it, and there are privacy panels so it’s not a super clear view.

I noticed a bundle of some sort of plant by the side of the onsen, but didn’t realize it was a fragrant accessory to add to the bath water until way later! They change the bath waters with the seasons, so you may get to enjoy your bath with yuzu, pine, or iris. Woops! It was wonderful regardless, and very romantic if you enjoy it with a partner. 

Then, after our bath we went back to the lounge and ate a ton of free ice cream to end the night. It was the obvious thing to do.

✅ Delicious kaiseki meals

The hotel has an awesome restaurant inside, where chefs create incredible traditional Japanese cuisine with fresh ingredients sourced from Miketsukani.

They gave us a handwritten English menu of all our breakfast foods, which I thought was a really sweet detail. Breakfast was very traditional, featuring miso soup, grilled seabream fish, fried tofu with Hijiki seaweed, and tons of delicious vegetables.

Breakfast was great, but dinner was outright amazing. I sat in the restaurant for breakfast, but our kaiseki dinner was personally moved to a separate room because I requested a place for all of us to eat together because we booked 3 different hotel rooms. 

I’m not sure if the private room was an additional charge. I think it may have been, but I’m not completely sure as we had to make some changes to our booking when we checked in. If it was, it was well worth it because it made the experience feel private and special. 

Everything tasted incredible and the quality was on point. There was sashimi, Spanish mackerel, and hot pot with Japanese black beef.

It was a 9 course meal, and each dish had so much thought put into it. There were so many delicate details that really enhanced the whole experience. The private room, the delicious food, and the service was as good as a Michelin restaurant!

✅ Quality customer service

Even before we arrived in Japan, I emailed Saka Hotel to reserve the hot tub and arranged a private dining area. They were very communicative and had fast responses.

When we arrived, we were greeted with traditional Kyoto hospitality from the moment we arrived. Upon checking in we received free tea and wagashi sweets as they checked us in the serene hotel lobby overlooking a calm green garden.

The staff are polite and kind, walking us to our hotel rooms and personally guided us to the private rental bath when it was time. While they may have been on the conservative side (as is expected with most Japanese hotels), everyone was super hospitable the whole time, and I appreciate that.

Deep Dive of Saka Hotel Kyoto: The Cons

Now that you've heard all the good stuff, here's things I noticed about Saka Hotel that could potentially be a deal breaker for you.

❌ Limited English Speakers 

I did notice that there weren’t many proficient English speakers here. This caused us to run into some problems during our check in time, and made the check-in process take a while.

In the first place, Saka Hotel’s check in process is meant to be relaxing as they provide you with tea and sweets, but we were already in a rush because we booked a tour at 5 PM and were checking in around 3:45 PM.

Pro Tip: Don’t book a tour right after you’re supposed to check in to a hotel in Japan. 

I can’t quite remember, but I think the check-in process took over an hour because some things on our reservation were incorrect regarding our hot tub rental and meals, and we had to fix it. The language barrier definitely made things more difficult during a time-sensitive situation, but didn’t affect the remainder of our trip. 

❌ Expensive

This one isn’t really something you can change. You get what you pay for here, and Saka Hotel is a high end hotel with great amenities and service, and the price is reflective.

Affordability is subjective and all, but in my personal opinion it is on the pricier side. We paid around ¥59,760 ($400) to stay for 2 nights, equaling a little under ¥30,000 ($203) per night. If you’re traveling with a companion, that’s ¥15,000 ($101) each between 2 people. Their superior twin room could’ve definitely fit 4 people, but says it only fits 2 on their website.

Breakfast was ¥3,630 ($24.50) per person, and dinner was ¥10,890 ($73). Both felt like very high-end meals, so I’d say the meals are worth it. Also, I mentioned this before, but the hot tub bath rental was ¥4,400 (or $30) for 50 minutes.

Saka Hotel Cost Breakdown

• Nightly rate: ¥15,000 ($101)
• Breakfast: ¥3,630 ($24.50) per day
• Dinner: ¥10,890 ($73)
• Rental Onsen: ¥4,400 ($30) every 50 minutes

If Saka Hotel doesn’t fit into your price range, M’s Hotel Gojo Odawara is another hotel in Kyoto that I’ve stayed at that also has nice rooms and is more budget-friendly! It’s centrally located, too. 

❌ Uphill incline to hotel

It’s wonderful that the Saka Hotel is right next to Higashiyama and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. But if you haven’t been to this area before, then you should know that it’s located on top of a hill. Uh, actually, Higashiyama is known for its five hills. And with incredible views, a little uphill workout comes hand in hand.

So yes, it is a little bit of a hike to walk to The Saka Hotel. And I mean hike in the most delicate sense. It’s totally doable as long as you’re in relatively good shape! But it may be difficult if you’re traveling with someone elderly or need something more accessible.

But hey, there’s always Uber and MyTaxi! And the view is gorgeous. It’s worth a little sweat.

❌ Far from Central Station

From what I remember, Saka Hotel isn’t super close to a train station. You have to take a 12-minute bus from JR Kyoto station, and from there the hotel is a short 5-minute walk up a gentle hill. You could also take a 12-minute Uber or Taxi. 

The second bus is mildly inconvenient, but the neighborhood is quiet and lovely. But I understand this could be a potential dealbreaker for some people. 

If you want to find a ryokan closer proximity to a train station, there are more options. Click here for the top ryokans in Kyoto!

❌ No free water for infants

Now, full disclosure, I’m no parent. But among the countless five-star reviews, I did notice some people complaining that the hotel doesn’t offer additional free water for baby formula. So a couple with a baby will only get the two standard water bottles given to them daily, and if you need an extra bottle for the baby, they will charge you.

I do empathize with this. But there is a convenience store that’s a 2-minute walk away, and water bottles are $1 USD. Mildly inconvenient, but maybe not a death sentence. 

Location and how to get to the Saka Hotel 

Saka Hotel Kyoto is a 12-minute taxi ride from JR Kyoto Station, or a 12-minute bus ride. There aren’t any good train options from the station to the hotel currently, so I recommend the bus. 

By Train

Once you get to Keihan Kiyomizu Gojo Station, take exit 4. From there, the hotel is a 13-minute walk. 

By Bus

Take either the D206 or D86 bus from Kyoto Station to the Gojozaka bus stop. It should be approximately a 12-minute ride. From there, the hotel is only a 5-minute walk away.

Saka Hotel Kyoto Review Recap

Overall, Saka Hotel Kyoto was pretty awesome. The food, beds, rooms, and amenities were all immaculate. 

It’s perfect for couples, families, and groups. It may not suit solo travelers, budget travelers, or families with infants.

If you’re looking for a high-quality stay in the cultural and historical heart of Old Kyoto, this is a perfect option that I highly recommend!

Saka Hotel Kyoto FAQs

Here are some common questions you might have regarding Saka Hotel. If you have a question that's not answered, feel free to drop a comment and I'll try my best to help!

What area should I stay in Kyoto?

I’ve found that Kyoto’s main attractions are scattered across the city, so where you stay depends on your priorities.

If you want to see Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Pagoda, then the Saka Hotel is an obvious choice. It will just be a bit further to get to Fushimi Inari Shrine and Arashiyama.

Alternatively, if you're interested in staying in a ryokan in Arashiyama, you can click here to view my top picks.

I’ve also stayed around central Kyoto and Nijo Castle before, and found that we still had to travel 10-20 minutes to explore the city anyway, so you’re going to be on the train for a while regardless. 

Is Saka Hotel Kyoto suitable for families?

I believe Saka Hotel is suitable for families! The rentable onsen is very large and perfect for a family bath, and all the rooms are non-smoking.

If you’re traveling with small children, there’s no extra charge for children who don’t need their own meals or beds. The staff will also heat milk or formula for you during meal times if needed.

The only concern is that they don’t give an extra water bottle for infants, so just be aware that you will need to pay extra or grab one from a convenience store. 

Does Saka Hotel Kyoto allow pets?

Currently, the hotel is unable to accommodate pets, but they have recommendations for nearby pet hotels.

Is Saka Hotel Kyoto handicap accessible?

There is an on-site wheelchair available to use with advanced reservation.

Is there parking at Saka Hotel Kyoto?

Yes! Parking is free at the hotel, but they only have 18 spots, so guests will need to reserve a space in advance. You may be directed to public parking if all the spaces are taken.

Final Thoughts: Is Saka Hotel Worth It?

Overall, I think Saka Hotel Kyoto is a terrific option for the general traveler. I loved my time there and would love to go back.

If you have a specific request, they’re very responsive via email, so don’t be shy!

If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below or email me at audrey@getlostinjapan.com! I hope you love your stay here just as much as I did!

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