Traditional Japanese Ryokan Near Kyoto Station – Matsubaya Ryokan (松葉家旅館)

Matsubaya Ryokan (松葉家旅館) was our 1st hotel we stayed in Kyoto. Japan has so many different choices of accomodation, it took me a while to decide on which type of hotel that I should stay in Kyoto. If you need some suggestions, read this detailed guide on where to stay in Kyoto. 

Matsubaya Ryokan was located not far from the Kyoto train station, about 15 minutes walk with large luggage. We dragged our luggages across the Kyoto train station and followed the map provided by the hotel without much hassle. This traditional hotel located at a quiet alley across the Higashi Honganji Temple. For ¥17,640 a night (total 3 nights for about MYR1,700 back then), we got a D-type room Tatami floor just nice for 3 person. The hotel is quite traditional although they also offered some western styled rooms. We loved out traditional Japanese room especially the Japanese Futon (Japanese floor mattress) which was very comfortable to sleep in. Their Japanese bathroom pod was very amazing and usable even though it’s very small in size. I lalso iked the Yukata (traditional Japanese robe) provided and used it whenever we were back in the room.

The young attendant at the front desk was very helpful and helped us made some reservations free of charge but however the older gentleman, presumably the owner, was not as friendly. Location was very good as we used Kyoto train station mainly to get around all the sightseeing places around Kyoto. Restaurants and convenient shops were easily accessible around the corner so it was very handy. Overall, we had a nice stay at this hotel/traditional Japanese Inn for 3 nights.

Traditional Japanese tea table which had to be pushed aside to make room for the futons during sleep

Asahi vending machine!

Complimentary PC usage although WIFI is avaialable for free too

I loved the Yukata