Tawaraya Ryokan, one of the Kyoto Gosanke - the oldest traditional inn in Japan

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 My first experience at one of the three great Kyoto ryokans - Tawaraya Ryokan. This ryokan was founded in the Edo period and has a history of over 300 years. It is recognized by experts as the best ryokan in Japan. Tawaraya was originally a branch of a wholesaler of kimono silk from Sekishu in Kyoto. The inn business began because the person in charge stationed in Kyoto at the time, Okazaki Kazusuke, was very good at entertaining guests, and the samurai from Sekishu's hometown would stay here when they came to Kyoto. Tawaraya has been renovated and many Western-style trendy designs have been added to the old Japanese house. There is an entrance corridor with wooden floors and tatami mats. From the entrance, you can see the atrium with natural light at the end of the corridor, the corridor surrounding the patio, and the corridors extending in all directions. My favorite space is the small study room. The greenery of the half window reflects the elegant Goryeo cave, which looks gentle and bright. The elegant garden, exquisite decoration and exquisite light and shadow condense the ultimate beauty of Japanese culture. This is the charm of Tawara-ya. As for the room rates, which are hard to come by, they are also quite shocking. Each Japanese-style garden-view room has a different style and includes kaiseki Japanese meals for breakfast and dinner. The price per person is almost NT$20,000! If it wasn't for the fake birthday celebration, I really wouldn't have been able to stay here, but once I checked in, I didn't want to check out. #京都探店 #京都住宿 #俵屋