Shiraume

My wife and I went to Japan for our honeymoon back in May, and when people ask us about our trip's highlights, we always start with our stay in Kyoto, and specifically our time at Shiraume and its sister ryokan Baian across the street. (We spent 3 nights at Baian and 1 at Shiruame.)||For starters, there's the property itself, which is set on a historic and beautiful street in Gion. There's traditional Japanese lodging with incredibly comfortable and aesthetic amenities -- the wooden bathtub with private courtyard views and soaking sake deserves its own five star review. Then there's the food , which is as delicious as it is varied. We did breakfast every morning -- once in our room and the other three days in a private eating room in the main building, with a view of the stream outside. The meals were so tasty and were accompanied by a personalized handwritten note of well-wishes for the day. We also did one dinner with like 8 courses, all delicious and served with a little lesson about the dish and its history. Last, but certainly not least, is the unmatched hospitality. Tomoko and her team made our time in Kyoto truly special. Everyone was so kind and generous throughout. We loved our conversations with Tomoko when she'd check on us during meals. At breakfast every day, she either helped us decide what things we might want to see that day, or if we already had a plan, she told us a great story about that destination. We hope to go back again some day!

We visited for 3 nights while celebrating my daughter's sweet 16. Words do not give the experience we had at this ryokan justice...it was incredible. The ryokan was absolutely beautiful with all of the amenities one could possibly think of. Tomoko and her team are special and possess a kindness and passion that are genuine and unique. The fine details and thoughtful meals were plated to perfection and encompassed a piece of local history/culture. The dinners and breakfasts were magical and delicious. This stay/experience was the highlight of our trip and the most unique experience of my lifetime (this says quite a bit as I travel extensively and try to find the best accommodations when I travel). Do not hesitate to book with Tomoko...Shiraume is the best!

We stayed one night at Shiraume and it was the most memorable experience of our trip to Kyoto. From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed with top-tier hospitality from Tomoko and her team. Our room was spacious, immaculately clean, and setup with every amenity you could imagine. We had a beautiful view overlooking the quaint river and the place is stunningly serene.||We opted for the kaiseki dinner and it was a true Michelin-quality meal. Each course was meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. Easily one of the best meals of our entire trip to Japan. Tomoko and her staff were excited to explain every dish and made the entire two-hour meal a genuinely unique experience.||The next morning, we opted for the Japanese breakfast spread and were provided yet another engaging and expansive meal experience. Tomoko popped in shortly after to ask us about or plans in Kyoto. After realizing we had no real plan, she spent ~30+ minutes walking us extensively through maps of the city, pointing out her favorite sites and recommendations. Not a service we expected or demanded, but one the she was excited to provide simply because she's a wonderful host and truly cares about her home city of Kyoto.||All told, we were quite sad to leave Shiraume after our brief stay, but we are excited to return for a longer visit on our next trip to Japan. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough.

This was our third visit: 2015, 2017 and this summer. The first two times we slept at Shiraume and this time at the new location Baian. |Baian is also beautiful just like Shiraume and it’s very close to Shiraume. We had our dinner and breakfast at Shiraume. |Tomoko-san creates such a magical experience together with her amazing team. They think of every detail. Everything is so beautiful, personal and attentive. It really feels like being part of a family. You feel so welcome and relaxed. |The food was amazing as well. We remembered this from our previous visits and it stays exquisite. The Kaiseki dinner and the enormous Japanese breakfast are so delicious and it all looks like pieces of art. |Still one of my favorite hotels in the world. Highly recommended!

Our family visited Kyoto for 2 days and we are so glad we chose to stay at Shiraume. Its central location made it a perfect place to start exploring the Gion and Higashiyama area, and our room was comfortable, spacious and overlooked the canal. An amazing Kaiseki dinner was included in our stay and we had breakfast in a room that was such a calm and peaceful way to start the day. Staying at Shiraume was like staying with friends - we appreciated the hospitality of Ms Okuda, Yumi and the rest of the Shiraume team, including the insights into the history of Shiraume which made our stay feel very personal. We certainly hope to return to Kyoto and Shiraume soon!

We chose Shiraume after extensive reviews and had a fantastic stay. The location is perfection and Tomoko and rest of the staff are so friendly and helpful. We very much appreciated customized recommendations for each day. The food was delicious, the room was quiet and charming, and the baths were lovely. We very much look forward to our next visit and would absolutely recommend staying here.

One of the most memorable experiences that I will cherish. Highly recommend. The location was right on the river in old gion, the ryokan was gorgeous and my rooms were incredibly comfortable and welcoming. The owner and team were welcoming, gracious and thoughtful in their actions and hospitality. The 7 course dinner and breakfast were both outstanding. Overall an experience not to miss

Returning to Shiraume for our second visit, we found it just as perfect as we remembered! Once again, every detail—from the incredible food and prime location to the breathtaking scenery from our room—exceeded our expectations.||A special thank you to Tomoko Okuda-san and the entire staff. Your warm, attentive hospitality made us feel like honored guests.||We’re already thinking of our next visit and will definitely recommend Shiraume to all our family and friends!

This was for our visit in early December 2022 for a night. Our hostess was Ami-san/Amy. We booked the room in front of the river on the first floor for a night. It was very private as we had one of the public bathrooms close to our room. We provided our passports to Ami-san when we first arrived and then filled out a form that let her know where we were staying next in case we forgot our luggage. The room in front of the river was a bit less private as you saw those walking along the street, but we had the option to close the door. We met O-chan, whom was the white crane that was wandering around nearby in the river. We switched into the yukatas and a light jacket and walked around the area during the night time. Then went into the ryokan's bath, which was super nice. There were 2 indoor areas. We went to the one closer to us. Rinsed and washed ourselves well before settling in. We enjoyed having the area to ourselves. Then we had a kaiseki dinner which was VERY filling and tasty. It was enlightening to learn about the chef's creations and we got to take back mementos of what we ate back home. We got to learn about the history and enjoyed the stories along with everyone's company. You also have the option to eat in the communal area or in the dining area of the room. We lit the incense to enjoy the scent while we were dining. The bedding - soft! It was nice and fluffy, and we woke up very refreshed. The bathroom was nicely stocked with wonderful amenities for you to try, as well at the baths. We had breakfast the next morning that was filling and delicious with a beautiful garden for the view. It was bittersweet to leave! Traditional Ryokan, yukatas and pajamas, close location to Gion district and subway, comfortable bedding, and just feeling so at peace. Plus, they can hold your luggage if your next place has not opened for check in. We enjoyed our time here during our honeymoon in Japan, and we can't wait to come back next time we're in Kyoto.

We had a fantastic stay at the Shiraume (white plum) ryokan in Gion area of Kyoto. Since we were traveling with children, we choose to stay in their Baian house annex, which was located one block behind the main ryokan. The house has two separate apartments each with living room, bedroom, and beautiful baths with wooden tubs. We rented both apartments and therefore had the entire house to ourselves. On arrival, there were multiple welcome courses including hot tea service and basket of Japanese snacks, ice tea, beer, and local sake. After a short exploration of Gion, we choose to have our Kaiseki meal served at the main ryokan in one of the private dinning rooms. Lovely courses of traditional hyper-seasonal dishes followed. The entire service took about 2.5 hours and was both a visual and gastronomic delight. A nice soak in our baths followed (infused with Kyoto sake). The next morning we choose to have our breakfast served in our apartment. Again, we we're served beautifully prepared courses in both traditional and western styles. We have been fortunate to have experienced many lovely hotels during our travels, but this was a cut above. Shiraume spoiled us with wonderful hospitality and impeccable attention to detail.

I researched ryokans for DAYS and Shiraume was exactly the ryokan I was searching for. Here are some reasons why: 1. Location: it is located conveniently in the Gion district where you're surrounded by bustling life and delicious foods. It isn't too far from the subway station too. It's such a sweet little area to hang out and be in but serene when you walk through the doors. 2. Traditional Ryokan: it is a smaller ryokan and is rich in history. As we were shown our room, the attendants talked to us about the beauty, history, reasoning, etc. behind this used-to-be-geisha house and now-turned-ryokan. 3. Umemi room: my husband and I stayed in the umemi room. The room is beautifully sized w a mini hallway that leads to two separate rooms. The first room leads to the bedroom where the futons are already laid out, the bathroom (w wonderful amenities), and sliding doors to the garden and the sounds of the river. The other room is the dining area for the suite. You have necessary toiletries, a private bath, mini fridge (everything complimentary), etc. Everything is beautifully thought out. I won't spoil the surprise for you too much, so enjoy. 4. Bath: I wanted a private wooden bath (I know.. so specific), as well as a public one. Hahah. The public bath can be reserved easily by talking to the staff for a period of one hour. The water is perfect temperature! Also, use the special green tea scrub... it's amazing! 5. Service: the service is wonderful!! Everyone is incredibly sweet and so helpful. 6. Happy hour or hours... from like 3-9pm, there's happy hour in the library, where they offer chilled tea, juice, sake, and beer (the cutest tiny asahi beers!!). 7. Food: we did the kaiseki dinner (one w sushi option and the other w beef) and breakfast in room. This in-room dining was a must for me. ;) everything we ate was really good. I'm not just saying that. And the staff came in and explained to us what the food was, how it was prepared, history, and stories. Also, they hand wrote everything we ate so we knew what we were eating. So in Love!!! We also got complimentary drinks since we were on our honeymoon. :) In a nutshell, Shiraume has everything I was looking for: traditional ryokan, yukatas and pajamas, in room kaiseki dining, awesome location, private and public wooden bath, futons, beautiful floors and sliding doors, and rest and relaxation. It is the perfect escape from the busy-ness of travel.

Excellent historic feudal cottage B&B (ryokan) in Higashihara preservation Ward just outside Kyoto. Modern conveniences with old-style traditional living ie: furo. garden setting. Multiple bathrooms, dining rms. Walk the old historic preservation district. Excellent cuisine traditional or Western options.

Amazing hospitality! Amazing way of life! Amazing view! My wife and I received the best treatment we have ever had at Shiraume. Before Shiraume, we were fortunate to stayed 4 nights at the Peninsula Tokyo in the 116sqm/1250sf deluxe suite with a panoramic view of the Imperial Palace Gardens in which we get complementary concierge that drive us around Tokyo 3 hours per day. We have stayed/received treatments at the Ritz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Calistoga Ranch, etc...Shiraume BEST them all in many way. Still not convinced? We stayed at Shiraume for 4 nights in the Umekoyomi room which has a romantic view of the Shirakawa stream outside our window and the sound of water flowing beneath our pillows. The bed was confortable. We really enjoyed the refined Japanese breakfast. Our dinner was of great fine dining. We love love Tomoko, Yuna, Yuki, and the staffs at Shiraume. We are truly greatful for their warm welcome and kindness in providing us with the best experience. Tomoko shared with us Japan culture/history, helped us plan our day and Yuna helped us with recommendations/reservations/directions everywhere we go. They were genuine and truly enjoyed their way of life. What sets Shiraume apart from other Ryokans besides the stream? Why are they so amazing at what they do? Here is my guess. Shiraume was once a famous tea house called Dairyū (Big Willow) where famous novelists and poets including Isamu Yoshii goes to enjoy sake with their favorite geishas. Although no longer a tea house, when we stay at Shiraume we are receiving some of the authentic treatments that has been passed down and refined for hundred of years from one of the best Kyoto tea house. Stay at Shiraume and enjoy the magic of ancient Kyoto.

Three nights in the beautiful traditional Japanese ryokan was our little treat for our recent trip to Japan. Yes it was more expensive, but it was worth every cent. If I could give them 10 stars I would! We stayed for three nights, with a kaiseki dinner & all breakfasts included. Everything from enquiring through to booking and our stay was seamless. I was also impressed that they didn't require any payment or credit card details until we were checking out - not bad considering the value of the stay. Shiraume is located upon a beautiful stream in the heart of Gion district in Kyoto. Upon arriving we were given a tour of the ryokan. It sleeps up to twenty people & apparently while we were there, there was another 14 but we would never have known it. We never saw or heard another soul & it felt like we were being given 100% of the staff's attention. The ryokan also has a reading room with internet access (in addition to the in room wifi) and two jacuzzis which are traditional Japanese baths (wash youself before you get in!). Our room overlooked the stream & was large. It included a separate dining area and a separate bathroom with our own private bath and the most amazing body scrub you have ever used. It felt just like we were in Japan hundreds of years ago (which is when it was built!). Every time we arrived back in our room it had been tidied up with a little Japanese treat laid out for us. We were offered tea & shown where our ukata's were (like a cotton kimino that I practically lived in while we were there). The staff were more than happy to make arrangements such as booking bikes for us, taxis, etc And the food.....WOW. The kaiseki dinner on our first night was incredible. 10 courses of traditional Japanese cuisine presented so beautifully. Every mouthful was delectable. Each morning we had a choice of Japanese or Western breakfast - we tried both over our trip and again, were all delicious. We were also shown to a different room for breakfast each morning so we got to overlook a garden one morning, the stream another, etc. I feel like I'm not even scraping the surface with this review. Everything was beyond perfect. I just wish I had more time there!

My wife and stayed there for two nights, in the river room with a private bath. This ryokan is amazing and great history tied to it. The location of this ryokan is just outside of the downtown area but is really close to the Kyoto bus loop and bus/train stations. The owner is really nice, and explains everything that you'd want to know about the place and the food that they serve. Planning the trip through their website was easy and is dependable. A side note, Japanese websites are very different than what's expected in the US, I say this because you need to enter your credit card number. No worries, it is secure. Another note, if you order wine or sake at dinner, it is not included.

Reasons this place is wonderful: location in a restored 120-year-old building, friendly staff that will cater to your needs including dinner reservations, laundry, taxis, travel plans. We had breakfast included every day and and evening meal one night. The food is wonderful. We felt like we were royalty. There were many special touches including a new pair of socks in our drawer every day and an American language newspaper brought to our room. There was a hand carved wooden sink that was remarkable in our room. Our room was a suite with a separate dining area and sleeping area in addition to a nice bathroom. Daily we would enjoy the private Jacuzzi bath on the first floor. Tomoko, the owner, was an absolute delight and almost always present to meet us, greet us, and offer helpful suggestions.

We stayed 2 nights here on a recommendation from a Japanese friend who warned that the Ryokan experience varies a great deal. Shiraume is the real deal and worth every penny. Tomoko Okuda, the proprietor of Shiraume was a fantastic host providing recommendations for sights and itineraries for our short stay. Her English-speaking staff were professional and friendly and courteous in the typical Japanese manner which is to say very very nice. The food was excellent with explanations of each dish for the inexperienced traveller. The kaiseki meal was unbelievable. The Japanese breakfast was delicious. The "western" breakfast was delicious as well if you prefer not to have the Japanese style breakfast but trust me the Japanese breakfast is not to be missed. There are 2 reservable private hot tub rooms, although our room had its own deep soaker tub. The entire inn is 100% old school Ryokan. Tatami rooms, wooden tubs, futon, sliding doors, kimono, kaiseki, all in old Gion town in central Kyoto. The bathroom, and electrical had the necessary modern necessities. The wifi was not the strongest but worked well enough. Newspaper in the morning was a nice touch.

We've stayed at this remarkable ryokan twice, staying three days each time. The warmth and professionalism of the owner, Tomoko san, is exceptional, as is her wonderful staff. If you are seeking a truly unique and amazing experience, and you would enjoy being immersed in Japanese culture in a way rarely experienced, I would heartily endorse a stay. Breakfast is beautiully arranged and can be taken either in one's room or in the downstairs counter with a view of the small river outside. Each has it's own charm, and I would suggest trying both if you're staying for multiple days. The Kaiseke dinner is beyond compare-a true culinary masterpiece. The meal is served over 8+ courses, each coming with an explanation of the history of the dish and it's cultural relevance. A wonderful experience.

Staying at Shiraume has been one of the best experiences of my life, and was one of the highlights on my trip to Japan. Shiraume is located on the Shirakawa Minami Dori in Gion. When you enter Shiraume through the bridge you feel as if you've entered a different epoch. Everything in this ryokan is thoughtfully done and is the perfect place to unwind after a strenuous day of exploring. The ryokan is very well appointed and the rooms are quite large. The staff are exceptional and will go above and beyond in looking after guests. The food at Shiraume was superb, with Tomoko the proprietress of Shiraume explaining the significance and components of each dish. The breadbasket for breakfast contained the best pastries and bread I've ever had hands down, and were made fresh every morning by Tomoko's uncle. Tomoko was very helpful in helping to plan out our day and was able to tell us which sights to visit at what time in order to avoid crowds. Shiraume is an absolute gem in the heart of Kyoto that offers the quintessential ryokan experience. I cannot wait for my next stay!