Kanamean Nishitomiya

We had a wonderful experience at Kanamean Nishitomiya. I really can't say enough about this place. The staff are very friendly and the service is excellent; the hotel is unique and warm; the room was beautiful and a really unique stay coming from the US; beds were very comfortable even having never slept on a futon before. We absolutely loved the cedar bath--it was huge and could fit both of us easily--we used it every night. Breakfasts were delicious and something we looked forward to.||||We had dinner at the restaurant and had a great experience. They seated us in a private room all to ourselves. This was probably one of the best meals we've ever had--each dish was very tasty and unlike many tasting menus we've experienced, we didn't leave uncomfortably full. It was really well-balanced for us. ||||Overall the stay was refreshing; we would love to and plan to go back.

An extraordinary and memorable experience! We had the Kashiwagi room, which was basically a one-bedroom apartment. It had a spacious and elegant sitting room (with a tokonoma alcove!) that was converted into a bedroom at night, a small office with a desk, a sitting room with an armchair, a small toilet room, and a large bathroom—literally just for bathing—with a huge onsen tub made of hinoki wood. This tub was filled with hot water when we arrived, and the staff explained that the hinoki had insulating properties that would keep it warm for a long time. An added bonus was that the wonderful fragrance of the wood permeated the area like incense! Just make sure not to use any soap in the onsen, we were told, because it could damage the wood—there was a separate shower area next to the tub for washing off, and the onsen was just for soaking. There were also lovely yet private views of little courtyard gardens from several of the different rooms. I loved that the TV was hidden away in a cabinet, totally unintrusive, yet available if, for some reason, you really need to watch TV in a space like this. ||I see some previous reviewers complain about "camping on the floor." In keeping with the old-fashioned Japanese aesthetic of the place, the sleeping arrangements consist of futons on the floor, and there is also a low sitting table with a choice of a low chair or a floor-height chair. If you have mobility issues or don't feel comfortable with Japanese-style furniture, maybe choose a more Western-style hotel! But if you want to experience a more traditional Japanese-style living and sleeping space, pretend you're in an Ozu movie and enjoy it. ;)||We also had a wonderful kaiseki meal in a private dining room. The owner appears to be quite a wine connoisseur, and had an amazing cellar, which contributed to fabulous pairings! Lots of books on art, architecture, and haute cuisine, both in the room and the public areas, contributed to the overall ambiance of sophistication and elegants.

What a fabulous stay at this hidden gem ryokan in Kyoto. The room size was surprising large, with separate areas for living, dressing and relaxing. The tatami mats and futons provided for the authentic ryokan sleeping experience were comfortable. Products in the room for washing were all top of the line. Service was exceptional; always someone available to help. I am saving the best for last; the food at this ryokan was beautifully prepared and presented. We had both the Kaiseki and Kaname dinners and each was a wonderful dining experience accompanied by excellent wines. As long as you arrive expecting a ryokan experience rather than a more typical hotel experience, you will not be disappointed. This was a 5 star experience for us.

We stayed here for one night to treat ourselves at the end of our Japan trip. The room was super nice and spacious, with a private bath that overlooks a quaint little garden. There is even an alcove where you can relax and listen to some jazz inside your own private unit! In terms of service, I cannot emphasize how welcome we felt the entire time we were there. We dropped off our bags early and the employees immediately sprung into action and carried our bags away after confirming our stay with them. We later found them neatly organized in our room with cute little name tags on them that’s their own little property branding! We signed up for the dinner service and Mr and Mrs Nishida (the owners) set it up for us even though the kitchen was closed that day! Furthermore, they personally served us our dinner in a private dinner room and we couldn’t have had a more enjoyable experience. I have stayed in many ryokans in Japan and I would have to say that this experience topped the list just given how special the property and the service was from the owners.

Went here for my honeymoon a week ago and you can tell this place is run by people who take hospitality seriously. The rooms were excellent (the tatami beds were surprisingly comfortable!), the service was excellent (everything from how they cleaned your room to how they draw the baths showed immaculate attention today tail!) and the food (I’ll be dreaming of the traditional Japanese breakfast for years to come) were excellent. My stay here will have a special place in my heart. Even though my honeymoon took me to many places across Japan, it is Kanamean Nishitomiya that will come to my mind first. I hope you get to enjoy it as much as me and my wife did.

We had a wonderful stay. The food (especially the Japanese breakfast, but also dinners) was excellent. It is not a hardcore traditional ryokan but rather had some touches (both design/decor and menu) of European influence that seemed to be inspired by the owners travels. We enjoyed this as well as the personal, warm service. We were happy to have a more personal touch and character vs some of the larger or more contemporary hotels we had visited in Tokyo and elsewhere.

Truly the most memorable experience of our Japan trip :) No detail was spared in the design of this hotel or the dinner service. Amazing central location, yet tucked away on a quiet street. Thank you so much for the incredible hospitality!

The property was beautiful and immaculate, the service was perfect, and the owner was a fabulous, generous and warm host whom we enjoyed meeting, very much. His selection of incredible fashion and art books in the rooms was an added bonus. And the Kaiseki tasting menu experience was superb. Highly recommended!