Gion stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Gion guesthouse, you'll find Kenninji Temple and Yasui Konpiragu. Yasaka Shrine and Nishiki Market are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Kyoto Sawai offers its guests room service (during limited hours). The front desk is open around the clock.
This Kyoto guesthouse is smoke free.
6 guestrooms or units
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Front desk (limited hours)
No smoking on site
Kyoto Sawai offers 6 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations have separate dining areas. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)). Bathrooms include showers, toilets with an electronic bidet, complimentary toiletries, and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Irons/ironing boards, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.
In-room WiFi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)
Parking and transportation
No onsite parking available
Food and drink
Daily continental breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: JPY 2,000 for adults and JPY 2,000 for children
Things to do
Art gallery
Shopping mall
Accessibility
No elevator
Room amenities
Bedroom
Down comforter
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Shower
Toilet with electronic bidet
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Towels provided
Food and drink
Free bottled water
Limited room service
Microwave
Mini-fridge
Paper towels
Separate dining area
More
Air conditioning
Heating
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board on request
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee: JPY 3000 for check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight
Minimum check-in age: 19
Check-out
Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Kids stay free! Children 3 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
Important information
Fees
Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 100–10,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for continental breakfast: approximately JPY 2000 for adults and JPY 2000 for children
Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
Late check-in fee: JPY 3000 for check-in between 10:00 PM and midnight
Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and window guards
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and window guards in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
We should mention
Children 3 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
As required by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, all international visitors must submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ). Also, it's required that lodging proprietors photocopy the passports of all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
Property is also known as
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Sawai Guesthouse
Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse Kyoto
Kyoto Sawai Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
If your looking for a traditional Japanese experience then look no further this stay is great offers you the experience of living in a samurais house with all the modern features that make your stay perfect and the area is peaceful beautiful and quiet.
Adam
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Ruixin
Nov 18, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Everything was amazing. The owner is so lovely and greeted me the moment I arrived. She also made delightful breakfast for me each morning, even at like 6:30am when I tried to get to the tourist spots early. The house is amazing, an old tea house in the heart of Gion. There are a lot of stairs and narrow alleyways tho, so keep that in mind. Next time I'm in Kyoto I'm 100% coming back to the Kyoto Sawai
Ruixin
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Raul, San Juan
Travelled with family
Nov 18, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great Japanese style guesthouse experience. Not a hotel more like a guesthouse, staying with a family. The people running the place are super warm. No breakfast. It was quiet but since I was with my kids I felt like I was disturbing the rest of the guests or owners. They live there. I still recommend it.
The room is cozy and comfortable, and we felt right at home. An electric kettle to make tea was an amazing touch.
The surrounding area is beautiful and we had a great time exploring.
Keiko is the most gracious and welcoming hostess, and we loved our stay at Sawai! We are already looking forward to returning to Kyoto in the future and staying here again.
Great central location to the Old Town in Gion and walkable to plenty of nearby temples. Also close to a train station for easy access to everything else. Staff is very kind and accommodating and gave us small gifts on our way out!
We loved it! We wanted the traditional old Japanese experience and this was exactly that for us. Plus the street is magical with lanterns and is very cozy. We will stay here again!
My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers) stayed here for 4 nights and we loved it. The host and staff were so kind and thoughtful and very accomodating.
Pros:
* Good sized room
* Clean
* Staff are so kind and helpful
* Beds were large
* Traditional appeal. Not only is it an old tea house, geishas in training live next door
* The location is close to shopping and transportation options.
* It's on a very quiet street - no car traffic.
Cons:
* Our room was a little cluttered with extra furniture that didn't need to be there.
* As previous reviewers have said, the hallways are comically tiny, so getting your oversized luggage into the room will be a challenge or pack light. The location is near coin laundry.
Our stay at Sawai was superb Keiko the owner welcomed us with traditional matcha tea at homemade sweets it was delicious. The bed was so comfortable and the experience in a traditional Japanese Inn or Ryokan was something I was looking forward to in this trip in Kyoto. The place was easy to find and navigate. Closed to downtown but,away from hustle and bustle.
Beautiful location in an old tea house. A twin room and 3 beds on the floor - the mats on the floor were not as comfortable as others in Japan. Duvets were lovely. The owner was very nice. Bathroom is outstanding and shower pressure was great. Overall a very quaint place to stay in a lovely area.
Sawai is an authentic if no frills experience. However, you can’t beat the location, the look and feel of the place, and the wonderful staff. I will stay here again.
This is a very picturesque traditional family run hotel in a 160 year old Kyoto house. It’s quite an experience to enjoy Gion area - close to all shopping and the famous Geisha area of old Kyoto. Highly recommended.