Ryokan Nakajimaya in Kyoto

Gina-san and I loved the ryokan (pronounced (l’yokan), that we stayed in during our Kyoto visit, which I found through the Welcome Inn Reservation Center when I was investigating accommodation options. It’s centrally located in Kyoto, close to the subway, clean, cute and inexpensive. The owner, Nakajimaya-san, is very kind and full of laughter, and she speaks a little English.

Since it’s a traditional Japanese inn, our room on the second floor (check out the steep stairs) had tatami-mat floors and comfy futons for sleeping. Every night, we received a fresh tin of loose tea and a thermos contraption that spewed out hot water whenever we pressed the button on top, although it didn’t plug in. Not sure if the tea originated from the inn’s small tea garden or not.

On our first night, we had sweet bean paste pastries waiting for us and a small gift, honking big toenail clippers inscribed with the ryokan’s name and phone number. We also were given kimonos to wear to bed, which was fun.

No meals are served. Bathroom and showers (2) are for common use, which never proved to be a problem (there are only seven rooms).

Since the ryokan isn’t listed in guide books, here’s the address, contact info and directions:

Ryokan Nakajimaya
075-351-3886
Bukkoji-agaru, Takakura-dori, Shimogo-ku

Use the south exit from Shijo station on the Karasuma subway line (to your right when you get off the train), which will let you out at the intersection of Karasuma-dori and Shijo-dori. Walk straight out of the exit on Karasuma and then turn right on Shijo. Walk a couple minutes until you see the Louis Vuitton store on your immediate right and make a right onto Takakura. Follow the alley almost to the end (Bukkoji). The inn is on the right.