Hanayashiki Ukifune-en Reviews

I almost didn’t book this ryokan because I initially thought it was expensive for a solo traveler, but after staying here, I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of my trip. Most visitors treat Uji as a half-day stop between Kyoto and Osaka, but staying overnight completely changed the experience. The riverside setting was incredibly peaceful, especially in the evening and early morning when most of the day-trippers were gone. Sitting by the window overlooking the Uji River with a cup of tea felt like the reset I didn’t know I needed. The room was spacious, clean, and exactly the traditional Japanese experience I was hoping for without feeling overly touristy. The property itself isn’t flashy or ultra-luxurious, but it has a quiet charm that fits Uji perfectly. The location was also excellent. I could easily walk to Byodo-in Temple, Nakamura Tokichi, Itohkyuemon, and the rest of Uji’s tea district without rushing. One thing worth noting is the 5pm check-in, which initially felt frustratingly late. In the end, though, I spent the afternoon exploring Uji and arrived just in time to unwind before sunset. If you’re debating whether Uji deserves an overnight stay, my answer is absolutely yes. And if you’re going to stay overnight, this is exactly the kind of place that allows you to experience the slower, quieter side of the town that most tourists miss.

A great Japanese-style hotel overlooking the Uji River

Stunning views and comfortable Ryokan style room .If you want the place for relaxing in Uji ,you should stay at this hotel.

The advantage is its great location, making it easy to get around. The room is right by the Uji River, offering a peaceful atmosphere despite being centrally located. The downside is that the room itself is a bit dated. On the plus side, the hotel offers a large public bath where guests can relax.

The hotel's location is great, right by the Uji River. It was wonderful to go for a stroll in the morning before it got crowded. The hotel's hot spring is lovely, and there's also a private onsen in the room. We opted for the half-board plan, and both dinner and breakfast were excellent.

The hotel is right next to the Uji River, and we could see water birds and egrets in the river just by opening the balcony window. Definitely remember to close the balcony door at night, or you'll be dealing with all sorts of moths! 😭 The hotel has its own hot spring. The men's bath is on the first floor and the women's is on the third, and a soak really helps relieve travel fatigue. Breakfast was very plentiful and a traditional Japanese set meal, which was quite unique. It's very close to Byodo-in Temple and Uji Shrine. We even paid our respects to the Moon God this trip, wishing for our desires to come true. Uji is beautiful and unlike Osaka and Kyoto, it's not packed with tourists. I recommend staying for a night to truly experience its tranquil Japanese atmosphere.

The room was spacious with a lovely view of the Uji River, and it was very relaxing to sit on the balcony and just zone out. It's quite a walk from the station, which can be inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage. However, it's very close to Byodoin Temple and Uji Park. The hotel dinner was excellent. But on the night of check-in, there was a large cockroach. Although I called the front desk and they helped catch it, it still left me a bit uneasy. The bathroom and toilet are a bit old and only moderately clean. The hot spring bath was very comfortable.

I like quaint and quietness here. Free parking available. It was all good and quiet. Spent a quiet morning here looking out at the river.

Very good view, near the river, have a public bath not far from temple

This is a local, charming guesthouse, or you could call it a small inn. It's very clean, a bit old, and features traditional Japanese-style rooms. However, it faces directly onto the Uji River, offering a fantastic and very healing view. Uji is a small town, and I would definitely recommend this place.

An older hotel, but very clean and quiet. The room window offers a nice view of the Uji River, making it the top choice for accommodation in Uji. Transportation is also convenient; it's a 14-minute walk from Uji Station, or just a few minutes by Didi (ride-sharing).

Lovely view of the Uji River from the rooms, with traditional japanese style decor. Staff were very friendly and welcoming, although for me personally it was a little difficult to locate the hotel at first (I walked from Uji Station). If you have big luggages, I recommend you to either take the taxi or store your big luggages in a locker, carrying a small bag for the night. Aside from that, I had a lovely time staying here.

The room was spacious and comfortable, overlooking the Uji River, and very quiet and relaxing at night. The bathroom was well-designed and kept dry. However, I'd suggest having breakfast prepared early or in advance, as it's hard to find food around before 10:00 AM.

The private onsen in the room was incredibly relaxing. Breakfast was simple but delicious. The hotel's location is excellent, right between the Uji River and Byodo-in Temple. However, you'll need to walk about 10-15 minutes to find dinner options.