Hotel Sowaka Kyoto opened in the Gion Yasaka area of Kyoto in November 2018. Located in a refurbished old tea house built more than 100 years ago, this small Kyoto luxury hotel has only 23 guest rooms.
All rooms are fully furnished with traditional Japanese elements, such as fusumae paintings on sliding paper doors, lacquer, and Japanese paper, and each has its own layout.
During autumn when the foliage is at its brightest colors there is also a special plan for visiting a temple. If you are going to visit Kyoto, then make it a truly memorable experience by staying in this very Kyoto-like hotel!
We highly recommend it for individuals interested in immersing themselves in the traditional culture of Kyoto.
Located in the Higashiyama area, a convenient place to stay in Kyoto
Higashiyama, in which Sowaka Kyoto is located, is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto.
Close by are famous Kiyomizu Temple, famous for its highly elevated and large veranda, Heian Shrine, and Yasaka Shrine.
The atmosphere of such elegant streets as Nene no Michi and Nineisaka, preserved and maintained by prefectural regulations, can be enjoyed just by walking around in the vicinity of Hotel Sowaka Kyoto.
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Kiyomizu Temple, visited by tourists from around the world throughout the year, is also within walking distance. This is a trendy tourist spot teeming with sightseers at any time of the year, and you can walk to it from Hotel Sowaka Kyoto in about 15 minutes. It is advisable to go early in the morning.
Shoot for around 6:00 a.m. when the gate opens as there are not so many visitors, then making it possible to enjoy the tranquil quiet. The air is refreshingly clean and pure at that time as the temple begins a new day to welcome a multitude of visitors.
To get to Hotel Sowaka, take a No. 206 bus from JR Kyoto Station and get off at the Gion stop. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Kyoto Gion-Shijo Station and a 14-minute walk from the Hankyu Kawaramachi Station.
Hotel Sowaka Kyoto's main building is in the charming Sukiya architectural style
The main building was originally a ryotei (traditional Japanese-style restaurant) built in the Sukiya architectural style that was prominent during the latter part of the Taisho era and early part of the Showa era and has since been renovated.
Sukiya-zukuri refers to an architectural style that incorporates the style of a sukiya [tea house]. The name comes from “suki” which means “like”.
In other words, “the house was made in a pleasing style” and refers less to form than the playful spirit behind it. The detail that goes into the design and decoration o…
