Sowaka
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Fast facts
Check in from: | 15:00 |
|---|---|
Check out before: | 11:00 |
Breakfast | Breakfast available |
Pets | Pets not allowed |
Children | Children are welcome at this hotel |
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
Spa
Front desk 24 hour
Restaurant
Non-smoking
More about Sowaka
Sowaka
Open from November 2018, located near Gion district and featuring a Japanese garden, SOWAKA offers rooms in Kyoto. The renovated main building features traditional Kyoto-style decoration for guests to enjoy.
Reviews from 
Group traveller
Comment: 13 Aug 2026
Kyoto trip
During my Tokyo–Kyoto road trip, I stayed at Sowaka, a truly lovely hotel in a very central location, close to Pontocho Alley. Throughout my stay, the hotel beautifully showcased Japanese traditions.
From the outside, Sowaka appears simple and understated—like a hidden gem. The hospitality began the moment I stepped inside barefoot: the welcoming team gave me a warm introduction to the hotel, showed me to my room, and explained the available services.
The room was spacious and thoughtfully appointed, with welcoming amenities and a large, modern bathroom. Breakfast offered a choice between Japanese and Western menus, both of which were excellent.
Sowaka perfectly captured the spirit and atmosphere of Kyoto, making my stay especially memorable.
From the outside, Sowaka appears simple and understated—like a hidden gem. The hospitality began the moment I stepped inside barefoot: the welcoming team gave me a warm introduction to the hotel, showed me to my room, and explained the available services.
The room was spacious and thoughtfully appointed, with welcoming amenities and a large, modern bathroom. Breakfast offered a choice between Japanese and Western menus, both of which were excellent.
Sowaka perfectly captured the spirit and atmosphere of Kyoto, making my stay especially memorable.
Solo traveller
Comment: 12 Mar 2026
Stayed in: Feb 2026
Warning: Severe Noise Issues in Room 111 (Casita Room) – A Substandard 5-Star Experience
本次入住 111 號 Casita 房型，體驗令人非常遺憾且難以接受。
極嚴重的環境噪音： 房間與馬路僅一牆之隔（距離約 2-3 公尺），隔音近乎失效。整晚充斥著車流聲、路人交談及店家的作業聲，完全無法入眠。
不專業的應對： 飯店針對此重大問題僅提供「耳塞」作為補償，而非更換房間。在一間五星級飯店，這種硬體缺陷與服務邏輯顯然不符其定位。
性價比極低： 付出高昂房價卻換來零休息的夜晚，強烈建議旅客避開此房型。
特別註記： 我曾試圖在其他平台分享此真實經歷，但評論卻莫名消失，這讓我對該飯店處理負面反饋的透明度深感憂慮。因此，我轉而在 TripAdvisor 分享，確保其他旅客能看到真實的資訊。
[English Version]
I am sharing this to warn fellow travelers about the unacceptable conditions of Room 111 (Casita Room) at this property. My experience was far below the standards expected of a 5-star establishment.
Extreme Noise Pollution: The bed is located just 2–3 meters from the street, separated by a wall with virtually no soundproofing. The noise from passing cars, pedestrians, and nearby shops is relentless, making sleep physically impossible.
Inadequate Service Recovery: When I reported this to the front desk, the only solution offered was a pair of earplugs. For a hotel of this caliber, offering earplugs instead of a room change for an uninhabitable room is highly unprofessional.
Poor Value for Money: Paying a premium price for a luxury stay only to receive zero rest is unacceptable.
Note on Transparency: I previously attempted to share this factual experience on other platforms, but the feedback was repeatedly removed. This raises serious concerns about the hotel’s transparency regarding negative feedback. I am posting here to ensure this critical information reaches other travelers.
極嚴重的環境噪音： 房間與馬路僅一牆之隔（距離約 2-3 公尺），隔音近乎失效。整晚充斥著車流聲、路人交談及店家的作業聲，完全無法入眠。
不專業的應對： 飯店針對此重大問題僅提供「耳塞」作為補償，而非更換房間。在一間五星級飯店，這種硬體缺陷與服務邏輯顯然不符其定位。
性價比極低： 付出高昂房價卻換來零休息的夜晚，強烈建議旅客避開此房型。
特別註記： 我曾試圖在其他平台分享此真實經歷，但評論卻莫名消失，這讓我對該飯店處理負面反饋的透明度深感憂慮。因此，我轉而在 TripAdvisor 分享，確保其他旅客能看到真實的資訊。
[English Version]
I am sharing this to warn fellow travelers about the unacceptable conditions of Room 111 (Casita Room) at this property. My experience was far below the standards expected of a 5-star establishment.
Extreme Noise Pollution: The bed is located just 2–3 meters from the street, separated by a wall with virtually no soundproofing. The noise from passing cars, pedestrians, and nearby shops is relentless, making sleep physically impossible.
Inadequate Service Recovery: When I reported this to the front desk, the only solution offered was a pair of earplugs. For a hotel of this caliber, offering earplugs instead of a room change for an uninhabitable room is highly unprofessional.
Poor Value for Money: Paying a premium price for a luxury stay only to receive zero rest is unacceptable.
Note on Transparency: I previously attempted to share this factual experience on other platforms, but the feedback was repeatedly removed. This raises serious concerns about the hotel’s transparency regarding negative feedback. I am posting here to ensure this critical information reaches other travelers.
Hotel response
Comment: 30 Mar 2026
Thank you very much for visiting SOWAKA.
We are truly sorry that your stay did not meet your expectations, especially on such an important occasion as your trip. We take your comments very seriously.
We will continue to improve our service so that we can communicate more closely with each guest and provide a more attentive, personalized experience.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your valuable feedback.
Best regards,
Yoshizawa
SOWAKA Marketing
We are truly sorry that your stay did not meet your expectations, especially on such an important occasion as your trip. We take your comments very seriously.
We will continue to improve our service so that we can communicate more closely with each guest and provide a more attentive, personalized experience.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your valuable feedback.
Best regards,
Yoshizawa
SOWAKA Marketing
Anonymous traveller
Comment: 23 Jun 2026
Stayed in: May 2026
Everything was amazing in this boutique hotel. A true statement to Japanese style
Ryokan. Although not a ryokan it felt like one with hotel amenities exactly what i was looking for. .
The food was delicious both breakfast and dinner. The staff was beyond my expectations of kindness. I loved everything
Ryokan. Although not a ryokan it felt like one with hotel amenities exactly what i was looking for. .
The food was delicious both breakfast and dinner. The staff was beyond my expectations of kindness. I loved everything
Anonymous traveller
Comment: 11 Jun 2026
Stayed in: Jun 2026
This was a surprise a true beauty the feeling of a Ryoken yet with all the necessities of a boutique hotel. I could have stayed there a month.
Anonymous traveller
Comment: 29 Apr 2026
Stayed in: Apr 2026
Sowaka was wonderful. From the zen room and garden to the hospitable staff and the perfect location in Gion.
The only thing that could make it perfect is the restaurant which did not match the same level as the hotel
The only thing that could make it perfect is the restaurant which did not match the same level as the hotel
Excellent location
480 Kiyoichō, Kyoto, 605-0821, Kansai, Japan|0.31 km from city centre
Check in and check out
Check in from:
15:00
Check out before:
11:00
Good to know
Children are welcome at this hotel
Please contact the hotel for details about adding extra beds.
Please contact the hotel for details about adding a cot.
Pets not allowed
Breakfast available
Breakfast options
Continental breakfast
Breakfast price
R 602 (≈JPY 6,000)/person
Breakfast times
07:30 - 09:00 from Monday to Sunday
Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply. Please inform Sowaka in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation. An accommodation tax per person per night is not included in the price and needs to be paid at the property.
An accommodation tax is required in Kyoto from October 2018. Guests (both adults and children) are required to pay JPY200 per guest per night if the room rate per night is under JPY6,000, JPY400 per guest per night if the room rate per night is between JPY6,000 and JPY19,999, JPY1,000 per guest per night if the room rate per night is between JPY20,000 and JPY49,999, JPY4,000 per guest per night if the room rate per night is between JPY50,000 and JPY99,999, and JPY10,000 per guest per night if the room rate per night is JPY100,000 or greater. This surcharge is not included in the total rate for some rooms and shall be paid at the hotel. For details, please confirm with the hotel.
This hotel accepts the following payment methods:
Cash
Sowaka: FAQs
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