"In an area rife with traditional, minimalist ryokans, the Four Seasons Kyoto is a spectacle of grandeur. The opulence is subtle, however, camouflaged by clean, Zen-like style. At the hotel’s heart is a beautiful, 800-year-old pond garden, which features a picturesque teahouse surrounded by cherry, maple, and willow trees. Inside, luxurious details abound, from the seasonal floral arrangements, to the iPads and in-mirror TVs in the guest rooms, to the plush cabanas and atmospheric lighting at the underground pool. For even greater indulgence, guests can head to the spa for such treatments as sake baths, bamboo-and-green-tea scrubs, and jade-stone massages, as well as facials from cult French brand Biologique Recherche. When hunger strikes, the Michelin-starred Sushi Wakon is waiting. Helmed by master chef Rei Masuda, the 10-seat restaurant serves fresh fish, flown in daily from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market."

"Dating back to 1747, this ryokan occupies a convenient location in Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood, otherwise known as the city’s geisha district. Keeping with tradition, guests must wear slippers and yukata robes, and rooms are minimalist, with tatami-lined floors, sliding shoji doors, spare furnishings, and futon beds that are made up and put away each day. Some rooms also overlook a dreamy inner garden, where a teahouse hosts candlelit ceremonies. In addition to small private bathrooms, the hotel features a public bath with a wooden soaking tub, where guests can relax after a long day of exploring. Also on offer are Japanese-style breakfasts and multicourse kaiseki dinners, which are served in-room for the ultimate experience."

"A historic property, Hiiragiya has hosted many a notable writer, artist, celebrity, and imperial family member since its opening in 1818. Operated by the same family for six generations, the ryokan is steeped in centuries-old tradition, etiquette, and service, with the aim of making guests feel at home during their stay. Rooms are spread across two buildings—the original with its classic style, and the newer, sleeker wing, where the color palette is a bit brighter and the windows and doors are more modern. Both feature updated amenities, however, including flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Among the hotel’s other highlights are the kaiseki-style meals, during which kimono-clad guests enjoy course after beautiful course at low tables. Breakfasts and dinners are both included in your stay, and feature seasonal bites served in locally made lacquerware bowls and boxes."

"The journey is part of the experience at HoshinoyaKyoto, where a charming wooden boat ferries guests to the hotel’s scenic perch on the banks of the Oi River. Here, tucked away in a grove of old cypress, maple, and cherry trees, the Hoshinoya offers a respite from urban life. Rooms feature traditional ryokan elements, like onsen-style cedar baths and picture windows overlooking the misty forest outside, and the restaurant serves nine-course, kaiseki -style dinners. A few free activities, including morning stretching sessions and tea ceremonies, contribute to the hotel’s Zen-like atmosphere. Guests can also take ikebana lessons, rent kimonos, and book meditation trips to the nearby temple."

"In a city where tradition prevails, Hotel KanraKyotooffers a modern antidote to the ryokan. The design hotel features a sleek, modern interior but still maintains ties to local tradition. Guestrooms include sliding shoji doors, tatami-lined floors, cypress tubs, and glass-walled showers overlooking serene rock gardens, and guests can choose to don yukata robes. The hotel is also home to a spa, where treatments borrow from traditional methods and incorporate seasonal herbs, as well as three dining areas, which range from a stylish restaurant to an inviting café with locally roasted coffee."

"A British-themed property inspired by Kyoto’s sister city of Edinburgh, Hotel Monterey caters to travelers seeking more modern comforts than typically provided at a ryokan. Tartan makes an appearance, as do bookshelves lined with old tomes and dainty tea sets in The Library, the hotel’s café and bar. There’s even a recreation of a London chapel in the courtyard, complete with stained glass, wooden pews, and a bell tower. Guestrooms wouldn’t be out of place in a British hotel, save for the quality green tea, electric hot-water dispensers, and Toto toilets with built-in bidets, but the restaurants trend a little more traditional, with one serving French fare and the other multi-course, kaiseki -style dinners. On the top floor, guests can also enjoy a spa, which features views of the city as well as hot baths filled with natural spring water."

"Behind its fairly unassuming façade, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto is a lair of Zen-inducing design. The sleek, wood-accented interior is minimalist at its core, but garnished with eye-catching details like white lattice panels and walls made out of old books. Guestrooms also feature colorful touches like kimono-fabric headboards and Japanese-style wooden tubs, along with tatami-lined living areas, sliding shoji doors, and more modern comforts like TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. Three onsite restaurants offer a variety of fare, from wood-fired pizzas to grilled meats to sushi. There’s also a bar with an impressive sake collection, including several local varieties."

"Given its location right next to Nishiki Market, it's no wonder this historic ryokan is famous for its food. The kaiseki dinners here include a parade of perfectly crafted dishes, marked by local, seasonal ingredients and an obsessive attention to detail. The miniature works of art arrive beautifully plated on local lacquerware and ceramics and include anything from eggplant with chestnuts and tofu skin, to tiger prawns with grilled mushrooms. After dinner, guests can relax in the communal wooden bath, or retire to traditional guestrooms, complete with tatami-lined floors, futon beds, and shoji doors. Meals are included in the rates here, but, with just seven guestrooms, the place books up fast."

"Conveniently located right by a subway station in the center of town, theKyotoHotel Okura towers over its neighbors, offering Western comforts among the city’s many traditional ryokans. Rooms have minibars, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and other mod cons, but the true highlight is the view over the city to the Higashiyama Mountains in the distance. It’s worth upgrading to a higher floor just for the vistas, but you can also enjoy impressive panoramas from the three top-floor restaurants. Downstairs, the hotel offers several other dining options, including Japanese, Italian, and Chinese restaurants, as well as a British-style bar, café, and bakery."

"You’ll feel zen from the moment you drive in from nearby Kyoto, along a narrow road through Japanese cedars and past temples and shrines, to the moment you sink into a hot bath at this intimate ryokan. Refreshed and relaxed, you’ll then sit down to an exquisite kaiseki meal of freshly foraged food prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. Oversized windows bring the outdoors in to the immaculate and simple tatami rooms, which come with both lunch and dinner. Book well in advance, given the inn’s small size and low-tech reservation system."

"Sitting pretty on the banks of the Kamogawa River, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is a luxurious alternative to the traditional ryokans that dominate the area. Guestrooms are minimalist yet plush, with giant windows, in-mirror TVs, soaking tubs, the requisite high-tech Toto toilets, and locally made bath products. Wellness facilities range from a spacious spa to a 20-meter pool, while dining options include a Japanese restaurant serving kaiseki dinners, an Italian spot with a cheese-and-charcuterie cellar, and a Pierre Hermé patisserie. Although cocooned in a quiet setting, the hotel is conveniently located with walking distance of the downtown area, making it a favorite of affluent tourists."