Nishiyama Ryokan
西山旅館- Say it
- nee·
shee· ya· ma ryo· kan - Also written
- Ryokan Nishiyama, Nishiyama Ryokan Kyoto
About Nishiyama Ryokan
A family ryokan in central Kyoto, founded in 1953 and now run by the founder's grandson. It serves a Japanese breakfast and no dinner, and guests can join a daily tea ceremony, koto music and a morning walk at no charge.
- OnsenNoShared baths, not hot-spring water
- Bath in your roomEvery roomBath and toilet in every room
- Private bathNot stated
- TattoosNot stated
- MealsJapanese breakfast; no dinnerBook by 20:00 the day before
- Dietary needsCatered forAllergies and limits, told ahead
- ChildrenWelcomeChild rates for age 5 and under
- Check-in and dinnerCheck-in 16:00; out 10:30
- Getting there2 min walk, Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae
Good to know before you book
- No dinner is servedThe ryokan serves breakfast only and helps guests book restaurants in Kyoto for dinner.
- Breakfast is booked the day beforeBreakfast must be booked by 20:00 the day before and can't be canceled on the day; the dining room is closed on Wednesdays.
- The shared baths keep set hoursThey are open 16:30 to midnight and 7:00 to 8:30; every room also has its own bath.
- Founded
- 1953; run by the founder's grandson, the third generation
- Free for guests
- Daily tea ceremony, koto music, craft sessions and a staff-led morning walk
Rooms and their baths
- Indoor bath
The Nishiyama Suite
Bath, with the toilet separate
The largest room: tatami, a living room and a garden window
- Indoor bath
Japanese Deluxe (special room, 16 mats)
Bath and toilet
Tatami rooms divided by sliding fusuma doors
- Indoor bath
Japanese Superior (12 mats)
Bath, basin and toilet, each separate
Sitting area and bedroom apart
- Indoor bath
Luxury Twin (semi-special room)
Bath, basin and toilet, each separate
In sukiya tea-room style
- Indoor bath
Japanese Standard (10 mats)
Hotel-size unit bath
The fine print
Last checked November 12, 2026.
- Onsen
No. No hot spring
The shared baths face a garden waterfall but aren't hot-spring water.
- Bath in your room
Every room. Bath and toilet in every room
Superior and Luxury rooms have bath, basin and toilet apart.
- Private bath
Not stated. Not stated by the ryokan
Men's and women's shared baths, 16:30 to midnight and 7:00 to 8:30.
- Tattoos
Not stated. Not stated by the ryokan
- Meals
Included with some stays. Breakfast only, booked by 20:00 the day before; no dinner
Japanese breakfast 7:30 to 8:30 by the courtyard; the dining room is closed on Wednesdays (Relux). Staff help book restaurants for dinner.
- Dietary needs
Catered for. Allergies and dietary limits, told ahead
- Children
Welcome. Welcome; child rates for age 5 and under
The suite sleeps six.
- Check-in and dinner
Check-in 16:00, check-out 10:30
Later than most; last check-in 21:00 (Relux).
- Getting there
2 minutes' walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station
Exit 10 of the Zest Oike underground mall. 10 minutes from Sanjo Keihan.
Meals
- Breakfast
- Japanese, 7:30 to 8:30, in the dining room by the garden: produce from Nishiki Market and local growers, seasonal steamed vegetables and yudofu (simmered tofu)
- Dinner
- None. The ryokan points guests to Kyoto's restaurants and helps book them
- Booking breakfast
- By 20:00 the day before; it can't be canceled on the day. The dining room is closed on Wednesdays
Culture sessions
Free for guests. No booking: ask at the desk. Dates follow the ryokan's calendar.
- Tea ceremony
- Daily, 9:30 to 10:30
- Koto music
- About 30 minutes
- Crafts
- Origami, calligraphy and yuzen dyeing
- Morning walk
- Led by staff, about 2 hours
Who it suits
- Suits
- First-time visitors who want culture sessions at the ryokan, a central base and a private bathroom; families, with a suite for six
- Less suited
- Anyone who wants a kaiseki dinner at the ryokan or hot-spring water
- Service
- The ryokan describes its service as hotel-style, to respect guests' privacy
History
- 1953
The current owner's grandfather founds the ryokan.
- Today
Nishiyama Takehiro, the third-generation owner, runs it. He started the koto concerts in the lobby.
Ryokan elsewhere to compare
Questions
Does Nishiyama Ryokan serve dinner?
No. The ryokan serves breakfast only, and its staff help guests book restaurants in Kyoto for dinner.
Is the tea ceremony at Nishiyama Ryokan free?
Yes, for guests. It runs daily from 9:30 to 10:30 with no booking; ask at the desk. Koto music, origami, calligraphy, yuzen dyeing and a staff-led morning walk are free too.
Do the rooms have a private bathroom?
Yes, every room has a bath and toilet. In the Superior and Luxury rooms the bath, basin and toilet are separate; the Standard room has a hotel-size unit bath.
How big are the rooms at Nishiyama Ryokan?
There are five types, from the 22 m² Japanese Standard to the 77 m² Nishiyama Suite, which sleeps up to six.
Does Nishiyama Ryokan have a hot spring?
No. The men's and women's shared baths face a garden waterfall, but the water is not hot-spring water.