Kyoto Ryokan experience

Almost 3 months ago (wow, time vanishes so quickly) Andy and I were in Kyoto at Kikokuso Ryokan.

The experience was amazing, and I definitely-super-totally-mega-recommend Kikokuso if you are planning a Kyoto trip in the future.  (*you may remember I posted about my obsessive research HERE and HERE*)

The couple who own Kikokuso are the most darling people in the entire world.  The matron, a woman about as big as my Yorkshire (she's actually about 4 feet tall) insisted on carrying my heavy luggage up a narrow staircase to our room.  She poured us green tea and gave us little azuki soft candies, quietly gesturing to the room's amenities.

There are only 3 rooms in this place - 3! and a lovely iwaburo or rock bath onsen which you can use all by your lonesome.  Our room was the lone second floor room, and overlooked the gorgeous central garden.  We had a little TV, tea maker, old school phone, sliding paper doors and extra down blankets and pillows tucked in the walls. [left]

We opted not to get the set meal - our reasons being we wanted to be able to explore the city without having to be back by a certain time -  Here is what we missed...

I used YADO web to book this and they were great, but you can also use Japanese Guest Houses.
They also have great reviews on Trip Advisor.

After we checked out, they saw us off, making sure we didn't need a ride (the owner will drive you himself!) to the train station.  Kyoto Station is less than a 5 minute walk, so it was no problem - but they waved for a good 15 minutes as we walked away.

rouka  廊下　ろうか

our little hallway with the washroom on the outside

座り

my little makeup/dressing table complete with laquer comb and jewelry boxes

庭見

garden views

 飲茶!　やむちゃ 

snacks to go with your tea

外

 池

pond in the center of the home