It is situation in the heart of Kyoto's Gion district of traditional Japanese wooden houses, and it is a short walking distance to Sanjo train station and shopping belts. Plenty of good Japanese restaurants in the area. Yoshiima is an exceptional experience of olden days Japanese living, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the Japanese breakfast served in the bedroom is definitely worth a try. Despite being a very old building, Yoshiima is kept in very good condition.

Nothing I can think of.

Gion Yoshima, like much in Gion, is not a genuinely historic ryokan (ie it is physically a modern building, though in more or less traditional style); but don't let that stop you as it is a fabulous place. Helpful, friendly staff, the front desk with decent English. Most of all it felt like more than a traditional ryokan: it felt as if the whole business genuinely wants you to experience Japanese culture. We had the in-room meal one night and everything was seasonal and beautifully served presented. There are small areas of traditional garden, and a small onsen (electric, surely). A real immersion in the 'way things are done in Japan', which means huge attention to detail and courtesy.

The rooms ramble back a long way from the road, but that's to be expected in a historic built-up area. It would be the same in a traditional inn in the UK. Expect futons, bedding moved out of the living space after breakfast, many changes of footwear, Japanese food options only -- but all that would be true of any self-respecting ryokan. If you don't want this, go to Holiday Inn.

I absolutely love the area, building, and staff. I arrived early and they gladly accepted my luggage and backpack so i can enjoy the city. When i arrived back, they had already placed my bags into my room. I order meals for breakfast and selected the traditional Japanese meal. The meals were freshly cooked and brought to my room nice and warm. The staff explained each dish and poured warm tea for me. At night, the staff would set up my futon and during the day, they would kindly place it back. The garden view that i had was great and peaceful to have in the mornings before starting you day.

I can't even think of anything negative for issues with my stay here.

We had an outstanding stay at Gion Yoshiima. The location is perfect, somehow right in the heart of Gion but tucked away in a quiet, peaceful street. The room was very spacious and squeaky clean when we entered it. To say the staff were friendly is an understatement. They did everything to make us feel welcome - allowing early luggage drop-off, welcoming us with warm tea in our room, and even keeping our luggage for us after check-out which provided a smooth personal experience and made our Kyoto trip more enjoyable. The traditional Japanese breakfast was incredible. We highly recommend staying at Gion Yoshiima for a glimpse into the traditional Japanese ryokan culture.

Great experience to stay in a traditional ryokan for one night during our kyoto stay. Staff were lovely and we also booked the onsen. This is no spa hotel but enjoyed it post a long day of walking around Arashiyama and temples over by the Gion

We got a western and a japanese breakfast with the plan to share. The western breakfast was tiny in comparison and the japanese breakfast was not to our tastes but appreciate we are British and used to breakfasts of porridge or toast. Wouldn't stay here more than a night as it is an experience and expensive for a place to stay in Kyoto

Absolutely beautiful ryokan in the heart of the gion district. The rooms are so beautiful, it really felt like you were stepping back in time. The tatami mats were very comfortable, and the room was set up with two seating areas. There was a nice wooden tub in the bathroom, and the owners leave yukatas for the guests to wear in their rooms. They serve breakfast in your room in the morning, and you can choose between japanese or western style breakfast. The only downside was that we did not have the time to stay longer.

Nothing, everything was perfect.

A beautiful, authentic, quiet, perfect jewel in the heart of Gion. What a find! (Actually discovered through the excellent Inside Kyoto website). The garden peeked through bamboo blinds, the tea ceremony staged for guests, the private onsen bath, the comfy room, the helpful hosts....and the FOOD! If you stay here, you must budget for a private dinner. The food is exquisite. I am vegetarian and the imagination was outstanding. That's the place itself...then what a fab location, so much on foot. For our full day here we started with a quick easy train ride and back to see Fukishima Inari ( had to see it but not the highlight of the day). Then worked our way through all the temples near Gion. Through Maruyama park to Shorein temple ( garden busy but temple sublime), then popped into Kyoto Art Museum ( wonderful trad exhibition...don't miss the upstairs terrace for views) then caught Heian Shrine as the sun set. Spectacular.

There was nothing not to like.

Our stay at this ryokan was an absolute highlight of our trip to Kyoto. The property was lovely, exuding traditional charm while being located right in the heart of Gion, which made exploring the area incredibly convenient. We rented bikes one day, and when we returned to rest, the staff were kind enough to store them on-site for us, which was a thoughtful gesture. They also allowed us to leave our bags early and even brought them up to our rooms once they were ready—excellent service! The room itself was beautiful, featuring a traditional bath that added to the authentic experience. The shower was surprisingly spacious as well, offering both comfort and convenience. Each night, the futons were carefully set up for us while we were out for dinner, and then put away before breakfast. We opted for the Japanese breakfast both mornings, and it did not disappoint. The meal was delicious, with large portions and an explanation of each dish that added to our appreciation of the cuisine. It was a wonderful way to start the day.

A beautiful traditional Japanese ryokan in a great location, just a few mins walk from the nearest station. The entrance is gorgeous (you can't miss it), and once you step in you are immediately welcomed by very friendly, English-speaking staff. They offer luggage storage for before you check-in/after you check-out, in case you want to leave your things behind for a bit as you explore Kyoto, which was extremely convenient. The room was beautiful & completely traditional, with a nice view of their amazing garden (it also had a balcony which was an unexpected bonus). There was also a private bathroom and shower with a wooden tub (great for soaking). I opted for the Kaiseki-style dinner (extra charge) & Japanese breakfast which were both served in my room & were absolutely delicious! Overall, it was a fantastic experience and will be sure to go back the next time I visit Japan! Highly recommend!

Nothing at all.

The location was great, as it was in the heart of Kyoto, near to two popular temples, a shopping district, and a large selection of restaurants. The service exceeded all expectations, as the staff were there to greet at the lobby at almost all times. While my brother and I were out for long periods exploring the city, we would come back to our beds made and drinking water replaced. The facilites were also amazing, as the shower/bath was clean and spacious, and the room itself was larger than I had expected. We also had breakfast served in our room, with the choice between Western and Japanese style breakfasts. Everything was already prepared and brought in by staff and taken out when finished. Yukata were also provided.

Nothing.