I absolutely loved my stay at Hikone and Kiyotaki ryokan. The room I stayed in was spacious and smelled of tatami, the bath was newly and renovated and comfortable, there was a small table in room along with a kettle and a teapot set perfect for a cup of tea in the morning. This was both one of my favorite stays in Japan so far as well as one of the cheaper ones. The owner of this ryokan is super friendly well. He gave me tips on what to see as well as a map of local cafes and restaurants and other tourist attractions which he himself helped make. Overall the stay was super friendly and I hope to come back in the future and even book the dinner this time.

Stayed in June 2025

Incredible! The place was gorgeous and staff were so helpful. We would definitely stay here again.

Stayed in July 2025

The pillows were made of small balls and were a bit uncomfortable.

Our stay was a great experience, the owners are very kind and friendly people who took good care of us and helped us with all our requests (for example finding a place to dry our wet clothes). The whole accommodation is clean and quiet. We also ate dinner and breakfast here and couldn’t recommend it enough, it was absolutely delicious with many variable dishes. There is mentioned on the ryokan’s booking profile that the owner doesn’t speak English, but his English is actually very good compared to other Japanese I spoke to in Japan and communication was not a problem.

Stayed in July 2025

Really quiet, amazing host, very good food for dinner and breakfast, incredible traditional japanese bathroom.

Stayed in May 2025

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Room with tatami and dinner. Defintely have the dinner, it was probably the best meal I had in Japan during my 3 week travel. My room did not have common walls with other rooms, so it was very quiet.

Stayed in April 2025

The staff were very nice and helpful. The ryokan had very authentic feeling. We also really enjoyed the baths. The dinner we had there was exceptional.

Stayed in March 2025

Very kind host, good breakfast.

Stayed in March 2025

The staff was lovely. The room was spacious, and the entire place was quiet and clean. The common bathroom was well stocked.

Stayed in February 2025

Great place for a change of pace in japan!!! Free bike rental super kind owners and great food

Stayed in December 2024

Master is very welcoming! He’s willing to have conversation if you can speak some Japanese. You can ask for breakfast and dinner preparation.

Stayed in December 2024

Both owners are friendly and thoughtful. I highly recommend including dinner, which is delicate and, of course, delicious.

Stayed in November 2024

The traditional mattresses were particularly thin but I'd still stay again!

This was the best location imaginable. We loved exploring Zenkoji Temple and surrounds early in the morning and in the evening. The many food and shopping opportunities along Nakamise-dori are literally at the doorstep. Our favourite was the apple and custard pie from Benibeni.

Stayed in November 2024

Breakfast and the baths.

Stayed in November 2024

Unfortunately I just stayed there for one night

The accommodations is flawless, it is quiet, simple, tidy and comfortable. And the host is so warmhearted and one of the nicest persons, I‘ve met in Japan so far.

Stayed in October 2024

nothing bad

clean and friendly

Stayed in September 2024

Facilities are partially a bit outdated. Vegetarian meals were offered but prepared without love, very simple dishes or dishes containing fish/meat were simply skipped in the vegetarian meal option (eg no miso soup) - but price is the same ;)

Great cozy futons, beautiful location, owner speaks quite some English.

Stayed in September 2024

Maybe it would be great to have some other breakfast options. But just for recommend. There are other cafes to choose from if you want.

Best stay we could have. Such a friendly owner, also very kids-friendly. The bath is completely new. Everything was extremely clean. In the end he brought us to the station by car, although it was a busy day for him.

Stayed in August 2024

Staff very friendly. Can rent bikes for free. A little far from the station but the staff offered to drive us there after we checked out

Stayed in July 2024

At check in I had to wait for quite a while because there is no front desk. There was no one to be found.

The relaxed atmosphere is so very nice. A true ryokan experience. Although I am a bit too rickety for constantly sitting on the beautiful tatami floor, I enjoyed my time thoroughly. The owner is fun, his wife is adorable and everything is so very clean... impressive! It's a good 15 minute walk from the trainstation, but once you've figured out how to get there it's not a problem. Hikone is great, calm, beautiful. The food is very Japanese and delicious. Sawayama ruins and Hikone castle are stunning to see. The harbour is tiny, but you can take sightseeing cruises there onto lake Biwa.

Stayed in July 2024

Arrived way too early for the check-in in the rain and got my room prepared in 10-15 minutes. The host and his wife and all the staff were super nice and helpful.

Stayed in June 2024

I just had problem with wifi connection, which was quite unstable.

I liked the room and the hotel ryokan. It has nice atmosphere, is clean and friendly.

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing, everything was perfect.

The Kiyotaki Ryokan is a beautiful traditional house, the atmosphere is quiet and perfect to relax. The owners are very kind and helpful. The breakfast is delicious!

Stayed in June 2024

We received a very warm welcome. The facilities were great. We would definitely stay here again.

Stayed in June 2024

I understand the building is old and traditional, so not expecting modern-day insulation. However, hearing the next-door neighbours talking & drinking until past 1am (and hearing them tinkle every time they went to the bathroom) was a huge minus for me. Otherwise Kiyotaki Ryokan is amazing

the kaiseki breakfast was absolutely incredible. our room (river view) was stunning and the amenities were great, the staff was absolutely lovely (especially when helping with the yakutas) and the location was absolutely superb - right in the centre of Kinosaki. THE best night's sleep I've had in years (well over a decade), we roasted ourselves in the amazing hot springs until the very last opening minutes (11pm) and couldn't wait to do it again first thing in the morning.

Stayed in March 2024