This Ryokan is excellent, the service was great and the location is close to all the temples. You can reach this place via bus or taxi, also you would see geisha sometimes walk pass (its not just a person in kinmono but proper geisha walking to work). Here is our story. Me and my partner stayed at this Ryokan, on... more

The Motonago was Excellent, from the service at the front door to the prepared maps fo the area and as we were only in Kyoto for two nights the fact they they had what was on that night all ready for us - perfect. The staff were the most courteous of all those we met in Japan. The room was... more

Was my first time ever to Japan - arrived around 7:30pm at Kyoto station and took a taxi to Motonago using the address the ryokan's website gave - however our taxi driver got a little lost and took us to a place which had apparently gone bust the other month! Subsequently a kind local managed to point us in the... more

My wife and I stayed at Montonago in August of 2009 and everything went perfectly. The location is perfect, right in the middle of East Kyoto and minutes from a number of temples and shrines. We checked in at 4 pm and the staff, dressed in Yukatas (Japanese summer robes) and other traditional Japanese clothing greeted us warmly and showed... more

I think 'hoboesque' discribes this ryokan very accurately: It is a traditional, japanese experience, adapted with style and pride for foreigners. It's situated right on the "holy road" between the most important temples in Kyoto, within easy walking distance to several of them. We were a rather large family group of nine, occupying three rooms. Two of them had views... more

My daughter and I are Japanese speakers and have stayed in many ryokan across Japan. For the last night of our holiday, we wanted to give our mid-Western, first-time-in-Japan friends a taste of something really different. We were a little apprehensive as our friends had found even modern Japan rather an otherworldly experience, and didn't like much else but American... more

We stayed at Motonago during our honeymoon trip in Japan, and were very pleased with the entire experience. This was the first time we stayed in a ryokan, and we were really glad that we did it. The location of the ryokan is the best you could expect in Kyoto - literally right there on the best site. The streets... more

Having never stayed in a traditional Ryokan before, I can't say if the level of service and attention to detail at Motonago is normal for a Ryokan, but I can say that Motonago is the best experience I have ever had at any hotel or b&b in the world. We had our own personal attendant, Toki, who was like a... more

Do print out a good map of Motonago before you go as our cab driver had difficulty locating the ryokan even with the Japanese address and a simple map. But Motonago is very centrally located to walk around Higashiyama and Gion. Service is really good. It was raining when we're there and my only pair of shoes was throughly soaked.... more