Kyoto · Japan · To stay

Hiiragiya

A Kyoto Welcome, Two Centuries in the Making

A family welcome since 1861
Kaiseki served in your room
Old Kyoto, down to the woodwork

€830 / night
23 rooms
Nakahakusancho, Nakagyo Ward (central Kyoto, near Fuyacho and Anekoji)

At Hiiragiya, there is a very good reason to return early from sightseeing: dinner. Around six or seven, Kyoto kaiseki begins arriving in your room, course by course, on ceramics and lacquerware chosen to complement the season. The cooking is precise, the presentation beautiful, and the experience wonderfully private. You'll want to give it your full attention.

The family has been welcoming travellers here since 1861, although its story goes back to 1818, when Shogoro I established a transport and seafood business in Kyoto. Before guests arrive, the entrance stones are sprinkled with water, a traditional gesture of welcome. Inside, a calligraphed motto reads *raisha nyoki*: receive guests as though they were returning home. Generations of the same family have taken that instruction to heart. Writers Yasunari Kawabata and Jun'ichiro Tanizaki were among the inn's distinguished regulars.

The original wooden wing is full of character. Tatami floors, shoji screens and polished timber lead to rooms overlooking small, carefully tended gardens. Room 16 is particularly lovely, with moss, a stone water basin and stained glass depicting Kinkaku-ji. Other rooms reveal painted sliding doors, clay walls and beautifully preserved woodwork. The newer wing offers a more contemporary interpretation of Japanese craftsmanship, including rooms with Western beds for those less enthusiastic about sleeping on a futon.

After a soak in a deep bath made from Japanese umbrella pine, filled with soft groundwater rather than hot-spring water, there's little reason to venture out again. In the traditional rooms, the attendant clears the low table after dinner and prepares the futons. Breakfast is another carefully considered affair, with Kyoto's delicate *yudofu* tofu, grilled fish, freshly cooked rice and pickles. A Western alternative is available.

Hiiragiya is best experienced on its own terms. Choose a stay that includes dinner, arrive with time to settle in, and leave the evening free. Kyoto's restaurants will still be there tomorrow.

A few things to plan

Breakfast: Traditional room rate includes breakfast and Kyoto kaiseki dinner. Japanese breakfast features yudofu, grilled fish, rice cooked in an earthenware pot and homemade pickles; Western breakfast is available on request. Breakfast service begins at 08:00 or 09:00. Room-only and alternative meal plans also exist; confirm inclusions for your selected plan.
Private wooden baths in guest rooms: Guest bathrooms contain soaking tubs handcrafted from Japanese umbrella pine (kōyamaki); their water is soft groundwater rather than onsen water.
Two reservable family-size baths: Suitable for groups of about two to three; request a time from staff. Reservations available between 15:00 and 09:00. One bath includes Sanchi Ogawa stained glass and Kiyomizu VI tiles; the other has lacquered surfaces.
Private in-room dining: Traditional Kyoto kaiseki dinner and breakfast are served in the guest room; request table-and-chair service when needed.
Wisteria Room library: About 31 m², with period cut glass, coffered ceiling, stained glass and a view of wisteria branches.
Japanese courtyard gardens: Historic main-garden and smaller tsuboniwa views from many, but not all, guest rooms; some gardens are appreciated from verandas and windows.
Wireless internet: Available throughout the property; access details supplied at check-in.
Lifts in both wings: Both the original wing and new wing have a lift; steps and tatami surfaces remain in parts of the property.
Guest parking: Vehicle parking is available during the stay; drive to the entrance and ask the staff for directions.
Bamboo Room: Traditional room featuring an arched bamboo ceiling, substantial timber beams and polished clay walls; used for small meetings and cultural lessons.
Silk Room gallery: A venue for exhibitions and cultural events, featuring coarse-weave silk wall covering and Kyoto Kitayama cedar.
Garden-facing banquet and events hall: A roughly 99 m² column-free hall with three glass walls facing gardens; group meals, ceremonies and events on arrangement.
Designated smoking room: Smoking permitted only in the designated smoking space; all accommodation rooms are smoke-free.

Former residential building Historic setting

Rooms.

The Flânons choice

Which room would we choose?

Room 16 for the Edo-period character, garden-facing veranda and original stained glass; Room 14 for a larger old-wing room with a moss-garden view. Ask for Room 54 in the newer wing if a conventional bed and hard flooring matter more than sleeping on tatami.

All 14 room types

Room Size What to expect

Main Building — Room 16

Up to 2 guests

39 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Moss garden view · Ground floor · Historic room

Late Edo-period room with veranda overlooking a moss garden and stone water basin; the compact bathroom displays Sanchi Ogawa stained glass of Kinkaku-ji. Excellent first choice for historic atmosphere.

Main Building — Room 14

Up to 4 guests

59 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Moss garden view · Ground floor · Historic room

Late Edo-period corner room with a rare Yakusugi cedar ceiling and antique sliding glass overlooking the moss garden. More generous space than Room 16.

Main Building — Room 19

Up to 3 guests

61 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Historic room

Late Edo-period first-floor-above-ground corner room with garden outlook and Sanchi Ogawa stained glass depicting a heron and Sanjo Bridge.

Main Building — Room 21

Up to 4 guests

70 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Historic room

One of the larger late Edo-period rooms, with individually crafted metal fittings and a bathroom window by Sanchi Ogawa showing Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri.

Main Building — Room 25

Up to 4 guests

64 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Historic room

Early Meiji room whose gold-painted fusuma feature Edo-period fans and chrysanthemum decoration; overlooks the principal garden.

Main Building — Room 33

Up to 4 guests

65 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Historic room

Early Meiji-era room with painted sliding doors showing flower carts used in Imperial ceremonies; garden views from a double-sided veranda and study.

Main Building — Room 30

Up to 5 guests

97 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Ground floor · Spacious suite

Largest room in the ryokan, dating from 1952, with wide main-garden views and Sanchi Ogawa stained glass depicting Arashiyama.

Main Building — Room 32

Up to 2 guests

31 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Small courtyard view · Ground floor

An intimate 1952 tea-room-inspired space with a small walled garden. Luggage space is limited: ideal for a light-packing couple.

Main Building — Room 34

Up to 3 guests

51 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Ground floor · Historic room

Early Meiji suite of two adjoining rooms with mube vines in the garden and a rare polished Otsu earthen wall.

New Wing — Room 54

Up to 2 guests

50 m²

Twin beds · Wooden floor · Private bath · Courtyard view

The most straightforward option for guests preferring fixed twin beds: made-paper walls and ceilings, curving timber details and a private courtyard outlook.

New Wing — Room 51

Up to 3 guests

64 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Garden view · Artisan details

A remarkable lacquered alcove inlaid with iridescent tamamushi beetle wings; the private bath also looks to the inner garden.

New Wing — Room 52

Up to 2 guests

57 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Courtyard view · Artisan details

Elegant contemporary timber interior; the alcove floor uses rare Jindai cryptomeria crafted by Living National Treasure Kiyotsugu Nakagawa.

New Wing — Room 61

Up to 3 guests

59 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Courtyard view · Artisan details

An airy room with an adjoining polished timber space, stone basin and courtyard light; water from the well beneath the room feeds the basin.

New Wing — Room 63

Up to 3 guests

62 m²

Tatami · Futon · Private bath · Courtyard view

Contemporary corner room with shoji framing views towards the tiled roof of the old wing and a long inner garden.

There are 16 rooms in the original two-storey wooden sukiya wing and seven in the newer three-storey wing. Rooms differ substantially in size, garden outlook, architecture and sleeping arrangement. Request a specific room rather than booking on wing alone. Western-style beds can sometimes be supplied in other tatami rooms in limited numbers, subject to advance request.

Good to know.

Location: 277 Nakahakusanchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8094, Japan
Open map & directions
Contact: +81 75-221-1136
hiiragiya.co.jp
Check-in & check-out: Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00
Parking: Parking is offered from 15:00 on arrival day until 11:00 on departure day. Drive to the entrance for staff guidance and inform the inn in advance; availability and charges should be confirmed directly.
EV charging: On-site EV charging is not confirmed by the official property information; ask the ryokan before depending on it.
Getting around: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (Tozai Line), 7 minutes from Karasuma Oike Station or 15 minutes from Sanjo Station; from Kyoto Station about 15 minutes by taxi or roughly 25 minutes by subway and walking.
Arriving: Nakahakusancho, Fuyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8094. Check-in starts at 15:00. Ask the ryokan about luggage delivery or a prearranged transfer. Dinner is served at 18:00 or 19:00; plan arrival accordingly.
Pets: Pet policy could not be verified from the official information. Contact Hiiragiya before making arrangements with an animal.
Accessibility: Both wings have lifts. The newer wing has a barrier-free room with hard flooring, and an indoor wheelchair can be provided. Steps remain in parts of the inn and most guestrooms have tatami floors. Request precise access and bathing arrangements directly before booking.
Travelling with children: Children are possible by arrangement, but only a limited number of rooms are suitable for infants or young children. Contact the ryokan before reserving with anyone under 12, including babies.
Dietary options: Vegetarian on request, Allergies on request, and Other restrictions on request

Worth knowing

Dinner is an early, structured, multi-course private-room experience. Arrive in time; late sightseeing plans may conflict with service.
Most rooms use futon bedding on tatami. A Western-influenced twin room is available in the new wing and extra bed requests are limited.
Baths use soft groundwater and traditional Japanese umbrella pine, not natural hot-spring water. The two family baths are reservable; there is no communal public bathing hall.
Children, especially those under 12, require advance discussion because only selected rooms are suitable.
The building has elevators, but steps and tatami still complicate full wheelchair access; discuss requirements individually.
Room rates and services differ between accommodation packages. Standard two-meal plan includes dinner and breakfast; other plans can omit either or both meals.
All guestrooms are non-smoking; a designated smoking room is available.

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About this edit · 11 sources

Introduction and History Founding dates, family history, meaning of raisha nyoki and notable writers. · Read 2026-10-24
An Authentic Ryokan Stay Welcome ritual, futons, in-room meals and Japanese umbrella pine bathing customs. · Read 2026-10-24
Guest Rooms Room descriptions, sizes, ages, features and layouts for both wings. · Read 2026-10-24
Cuisine Seasonal kaiseki, heirloom serving ware and Japanese breakfast dishes. · Read 2026-10-24
Information Published per-person prices, room counts, service times, parking and children. · Read 2026-10-24
Frequently Asked Questions Dietary requirements, lifts, mobility, family baths, bedding and services. · Read 2026-10-24
Facilities Private baths, library, gallery, cultural rooms and banquet hall. · Read 2026-10-24
Access Public-transport and taxi arrival options. · Read 2026-10-24
Reservations and Inquiries Official room booking options and reservation enquiries. · Read 2026-10-24
One MICHELIN Key 2026 2026 One Key; hotel distinction, not a restaurant star. · Read 2026-10-24
JPY Reference Exchange Rate, 23 October 2026 EUR 1 = JPY 175.51; indicative budget starts from two times the official per-person entry rate. · Read 2026-10-24