Sumiya Ryokan

While located in the heart of Kyoto City, this sukiya style lodging has a tranquil atmosphere. This ryokan was established in the early days of the Taisho period to accommodate guests that had come for training in the Japanese art of tea ceremony.

The Main Building allows guests to experience sukiya style architecture firsthand. Traces from when the lodging was constructed in the Taisho period still remain everywhere, with the lustrous floor and pillars telling a story of the lodging’s history.

At the same time, the building added 50 years ago, varies from the Main Building as it has an overall bright image and a refined structure.

Guestrooms feature a structure that allow guests to experience the world view of wabi-sabi (an aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection), relaxing tatami-flooring, and a view of the garden or inner courtyard through the window.

During the summer, there is the ‘changing of fixtures,’ a practice which has been passed down in Kyoto from long ago. In order to overcome the heat of summer, once the rainy season is over, reed sliding doors are put up, wickerwork mats are laid out on the tatami flooring, and bamboo screens are hung from guestroom eaves to make it easy for the wind to pass through guestrooms.

Dinner will be provided in the guestroom, so guests can enjoy a leisurely meal in a private space.

Cuisine will be a Kyoto-style kaiseki course meal that primarily features fresh, in-season ingredients and Kyoto vegetables seasoned with a mild broth and which fully utilizes the ingredients’ natural flavor. And guests can also enjoy the meal visually with select serving dishes that match the cuisine.

Dishes will be served one at a time to match guests’ dining pace.

Guests will also be served a leisurely Japanese-style breakfast in their guestroom. For those interested, this can be changed to a Western-style meal.

At this well-established ryokan which has inherited the spirit of Japanese tea ceremony, staying guests...