If you want to stay in a ryokan close to Kyoto Station but don’t want to splurge, Fujiya Ryokan (藤家旅館) is a great cozy inn for you to consider! The homey ryokan is within a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station and has various amenities. Those who have stayed there enjoyed the hostess’s top-class hospitality. As a result, it has an extremely high rating on various accommodation booking platforms. It also has a mascot cat you can pet when she patrols her territory.
Table of Contents
- About Fujiya Ryokan
- Services Offered by Fujiya Ryokan
- Our Room at Fujiya Ryokan
- Fujiya Ryokan’s Bathroom and Shower Facility
- Fujiya Ryokan’s Mascot Cat
- Our Experience at Fujiya Ryokan
About Fujiya Ryokan
Fujiya Ryokan is one of the many traditional inns on Ryokan Street, off the main road in front of Kyoto Station. It is very well situated close to numerous restaurants, convenience stores, and, of course, the Kyoto Tower! The ryokan is just a couple of blocks from the main bus stops and train lines, making it an ideal base for those exploring all over Kyoto.
Despite its location, once you are inside the ryokan, the hustle and bustle are all locked out, so there is no need to worry about being awakened at night by the outside noise.
The hostess, MS. Naitō, does a great job at cleaning and maintaining the small inn. We absolutely love how she decorated the hostel as well. She is one of the friendliest, kindest, and most attentive hosts that we have ever had. If you are unsure about what to do and where to eat in Kyoto’s city center, ask her for recommendations! She speaks proficient English, so there shouldn’t be major communication issues. If there is anything difficult you need to tell her, download one of the Translation Apps to your phone.
Note that all Fujiya Ryokan’s guestrooms are located on the second floor. Like all traditional buildings in Japan, the stairs are rather steep, so please be careful while walking up and down them.
Tip: Fujiya Ryokan offers breakfast on the ground floor and can accommodate a vegan diet. As the number of guests they can accommodate is limited, please inquire beforehand.
Services Offered by Fujiya Ryokan
- Luggage storage service is available before check-in and after check-out from 8 am until 10 pm.
- Please let the ryokan know if you require this service.
- Breakfast can be arranged upon request at 1,700 yen per person.
- The ryokan can dehydrate your laundry in a washing machine if you hand wash it.
- You can use the microwave to heat up your food.
- Iron can be rented out.
- Free Wi-Fi is available. You can ask for the password at the reception (entrance) or find the Ryokan guide in your room.
- Guests can use the laptop, refrigerator, water server, and kettle in the living area. Feel free to make yourself a cup of instant coffee or tea while in the lounge. If you are bored, grab a book from the shelf!
- Maps and other tourist brochures are available on the table for you to take too!
Our Room at Fujiya Ryokan
All rooms in Fujiya Ryokan are in authentic Japanese ryokan style, although they vary in size.
To save on accommodation costs, we stayed in the ryokan’s economy room, which fits up to two people. After all, we only needed a place to have a good night’s sleep. With the futon beds folded away, we had space to open our two medium-sized suitcases. A small laundry drying rack is also provided, which is perfect for our towels.
A tea set and two traditional confectioneries prepared by MS. Naitō were placed on the low table. The setting was perfect for winding down our busy day. We also loved the scroll on the wall and other decor on the shelf. Indoor Yukata (traditional bathrobes) were also provided. Wearing one is a must when staying at a ryokan, and we are sure that you will enjoy this fantastic experience.
The futon beds were softer than expected. Compared to other budget ryokans, the ones at Fujiya Ryokan were the most comfortable. Although the walls are thin, all guests stayed quiet during the normal sleeping hours. We weren’t disturbed at night during our stay.
Fujiya Ryokan’s Bathroom and Shower Facility
Like other small ryokans in Japan, the shower and bathing facilities are shared among other guests. The ones at Fujiya Ryokan are exactly the same type of bathroom in a regular Japanese household. It has a washing area and also a bathtub. Unlike the ones in other countries, the bathtubs in Japan usually have a cover. This is because the entire family uses the bathtub, and the cover helps maintain the warm temperature.
But if you are not used to bathing, let MS. Naitō know. She will let you know when you can use the showering facility.
Don’t worry about hygiene at Fujiya Ryokan. The bathrooms and sinks are spotlessly cleaned regularly and modern-looking. As there are fewer than 10 guestrooms in the hostel, it is unlikely that you will need to wait to shower or bathe.
Moreover, there is more than one choice of body gel, shampoo, and hair conditioner in the bathroom. Face cleansing foam can also be found in the bathroom and the two wash basin units.
If the weather is dry, you are welcome to use the body lotion placed on the changing room’s shelf. Shaving foam and various facial products are also available for guests to use.
Important: The shower and bathroom are accessible between 6 pm and 11 pm and 6 am and 9 am.
Fujiya Ryokan’s Mascot Cat
If you are a cat person, you will enjoy your stay at Fujiya Ryokan even more. Lily the cat is the inn’s mascot. She is incredibly sweet and friendly. When the entrance is closed, Lily will be unleashed to walk freely to greet the guests. If you hear a bell sound, open your door, and she might come into your room!
Even if you don’t see her during your time at Fujiya Ryokan, her photos are at the entrance and the lounge space. If you are keen, ask MS Naitō if she knows where Lily is.
Our Experience at Fujiya Ryokan
We arrived at Fujiya Ryokan just before dinner time, around 6 pm. MS Naitō greeted us with a smile and gentle Japanese hospitality. She showed us our room and told us everything we needed to know about the ryokan.
The weather was cold because we stayed at the ryokan at the end of November. While Lily had her fluffy coat, she also felt the cold. The laptop in the lounge was the perfect spot for her to stay warm. Thanks to the cold weather, we were able to enjoy her company whenever we wanted at night!
We didn’t need to wait to shower/bathe, or use the bathroom during our stay.
Because we booked the first Sagano Romantic Train the next day, we checked out around 8 o’clock. MS Naitō was already up to collect our luggage and escort us out. When we returned to Fujiya Ryokan from Katsura Imperial Palace in the late afternoon to pick up our belongings, it was Lily’s meal time. She didn’t mind us disturbing her eating time and even cooperated with MS. Naitō when we wanted to get a nice photo with her!
In addition, we saw a stray cat that got fed at Fujiya Ryokan. The cute tabby cat’s photo is in the last photo in the Instagram post above.
Discover the Hidden Gems in Kyoto to Enjoy Traditional Japan With the Least Crowd Level
While Kyoto remains the top tourist destination in Japan, the city is constantly flooded with tourists. This means you can hardly appreciate the amazing Japanese culture and architecture the country’s ancient capital can offer.
Fortunately, as soon as you travel outside of the city center, the level of crowdedness drops rapidly. So, how about checking out our article on The Top Hidden Gems in Kyoto that Is Worth Visiting for spots that will make your trip more memorable?
