Gion Yoshiima

I’m very grateful for this stay, it was an amazing and calming cultural experience that came with a delicious breakfast in the morning and the option to reserve a private bath time in the nice wooden hot tub. I’d really recommend coming earlier in the day to experience the central garden/tea house area, as it is quite beautiful. The room is incredibly large and spacious as well. While it got a little chilly at night, I was provided with a space heater that made the room nice and cozy.

廁所裏都是黴，屋頂有蜘蛛網，太差了，一點都不值

My final stop on my maiden voyage to Japan. Again, I will say, I could not have chosen a more perfect place to stay in Kyoto. Tomoko is the star of this show! Removed shoes immediately upon arrival, as my hostess, Tomoko, was cleaning the WHEELS of my luggage. She took me to my room, which was allll the way at the end of the ryokan and up the stairs. Poor thing had to lift my heavy heavy bag up the stairs and even though we could not fully communicate verbally, we laughed and laughed about how strong she is for 75 years old. Unbelievable! She showed me to my room. Loved the tatami mats, and the table and chair were set up for dinner en suite. We set a time for dinner and I decided to take a walk to the Yasaka Pagoda in the meantime. I visited the Yasaka shrine, followed by the exquisite and grandiose Yasaka pagoda and made it back just in time for dinner service in the room. Tomoko is seriously the most precious hostess I have ever had in all my travels. We could not really communicate, although she could speak a LITTLE English, while I can speak literally no Japanese other than hello and thank you, yet we just laughed and laughed every time she came into the room. She was so cute and obviously works so hard. It was so fantastic to spend time with her. Dinner was interesting and delicious. I loved the whole experience. After dinner, I was lucky enough to get a private tour and history lesson from the owner himself, Hiro, inside the small traditional tea house on site. Such a special treat to learn about the history and important of tea ceremonies in Japan! After which, I took a soak in the bath before heading out to explore Kyoto by night (at the advice of the owner, Hiro). The bath was just what I needed to refresh the spirit and get my second (or third) wind for the day. I walked and walked and walked and walked some more and found everything Hiro told me to look for. Kyoto is just as beautiful at night as it is in the daylight, if not more so. Pontocho Alley was fascinating and sooo cool! I got back to the ryokan, absolutely exhausted, just before midnight. I literally could not take one more step. I got to my room and Tomoko had changed the room over for sleeping. The table and chair were put away and the futon mattress and comforter were all ready and waiting for me in the beautifully dimly lit room. When I arrived, I noticed that Tomoko had left a little note wishing me good sleep, and a piece of fruit for a late night snack. Breakfast seemed to come way too quickly after my late night of exploring. But it was worth it to see Tomoko again and try all the interesting and delicious Japanese style breakfast items. I made sure to take a stroll through the on-site Zen garden, admiring the fountains, statues, and fauna. Everything just flows so well … so peaceful, yet so invigorating. I will do whatever it takes to come back to Kyoto again for a longer stay here at Yoshi-Ima Ryokan! Arigato to Hiro and Tomoko for being so wonderful to me durin