Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

During our tour of Japan, we wanted to experience a more traditional style of Japanese accommodation. Takasegawa Bettei, is a 'ryokan' (villa) style property on a quiet residential street. On arrival we received the warmest welcome from very helpful, kimono wearing, English speaking staff who taught us about the etiquette of wearing 'uwabaki' slippers everywhere inside the building. The bedrooms were modest but gorgeous with wood panelling, paper blinds, 'zaizu' chairs, and lcaquerwear ornaments. The bathroom was wood panelled with a traditional cypress wood bath and everywhere was spotlessly clean. Yet we had all the mod-cons with good wi-fi connection, amazing automatic bathroom, flat screen TV, fridge, safe, tea/coffee making facilities and light switches and sockets in all the right places etc. Most importantly the large bed was comfortable. The location was great with the historic district of Gion about 15 minutes walk away including the Kyoto National Museum and numerous temples. It was easy to reach the centre of Kyoto on foot or via Shichijo station (2 stops on the Keihan line). There were plenty of good places to eat nearby plus 2 very good craft beer micro- breweries within a couple of minutes walk from the front door! We really couldn't recommend this place more.

Stayed here for 2 nights and really enjoyed it. The hotel is in a quiet location about 15 minutes walk from Kyoto station. You are greeted at reception where you remove your shoes and leave them in a locker. Sandals are provided for walking around the hotel. The room was a traditional style room with tatami flooring. It was large, very clean with a big, comfortable bed. The bathroom has an amazing, deep cyprus wooden bath and a shower. Breakfast was served to the room and was a choice of Western or Japanese, both were excellent but we preferred the Japanese breakfast. The staff were very friendly and very helpful. Would recommend this hotel and would stay here again.

Our experience staying here for 4 nights was wonderful! The blend of traditional Japanese custom in an immaculately modern hotel was beautifully done. Highlights included the wood paneled bath and shower, the truly delicious Japanese style breakfast and the traditional tatami mat flooring in a spacious room. The hotel is located in a very quiet street with the convenience of a 10-15 minute walk to Gion district canal-side restaurants or 6 minute walk to the nearest train station. Moreover, the care and consideration shown by the small team of excellent staff was some of the best service we received during our Japan travel. Thank you for your kindness.

We had a wonderful stay here for three nights. The staff are incredibly kind and welcoming. Thankfully everyone spoke English which I appreciated as Japanese is difficult for me. There are shoe lockers at the entrance and you are provided slippers to wear to your room. There is a beverage vending machine in the lobby if you get thirsty. The rooms are spacious and decorated in traditional Japanese style. The bathrooms feature cedar flooring, walls, and bathtub which I’ve never encountered before but was a pleasant experience. The bed was a bit firm for my taste but still good for a night’s rest. The hotel is on a very quiet road with a nice creek that runs down the middle. There is an underground station about five minutes away that is a good launch point for just about anywhere you want to go in Kyoto and beyond. This location is a very good base for sightseeing all the major highlights of Kyoto. On our checkout day the staff helpfully held our luggage while we did some last sightseeing before moving to our next city. If we found ourselves in Kyoto again we would definitely stay here again!

This is a fantastic hotel. Traditional but so comfortable and whisper quiet. The rooms are huge and we loved the bath and breakfast too. The staff were incredibly helpful and ordered us Taxi so easily. I was unwell during my stay and they were very attentive and let us check in early which is absolutely not normal practice so this was much appreciated. The cute canal out the front has a gorgeous cafe and a delicious Lebanese fusion gem of a restaurant very close by so a fabulous option when wanting to say close by for lunch or dinner. The staff are really excellent and make your stay so easy. The philosopher's path was the most beautiful experience of our trip as the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Go early .. 9 am is ok and enjoy this magical experience…actually quite surreal.