Inside Kyoto

A Kyoto Travel Guide

How to Book Tawaraya Ryokan

Tawaraya is Kyoto’s best ryokan but it’s notoriously difficult to book since there’s no way to book online. But, don’t give up: Here are the full details on booking Tawaraya from abroad.

Tawaraya Ryokan copyright Inside Kyoto
Tawaraya Ryokan – image © InsideKyoto.com

Tawaraya is one of the finest ryokan in all of Japan. They’ve got a dedicated following of elite Japanese and international guests so they don’t have to try very hard to fill their rooms. They don’t even have a website and there’s no way to book it via third-party booking sites. This is all part of the Tawaraya mystique, but where does that leave you if you want to sample the experience and don’t have a well-connected Japanese friend to reserve for you? Here’s my guide on how to book Tawaraya:

Booking Tawaraya from Abroad in English

First, call Tawaraya direct from abroad on 81-75-211-5566 during ryokan business hours. The best times are when the staff is least busy, which is between 11am and 3pm, Japan time. The phone staff can speak enough English to handle inquiries and reservations, but try to speak slowly and clearly, because they are not native English speakers. During the call, the staff can tell you what rooms are available and what they cost.

Then, to make the official booking, you must fax Tawaraya on 81-75-211-2204. In your fax, please include the following information:

  • your name
  • dates of check in and out
  • room type, in order of priority, based on what types you were told are
  • available during your phone call (see below for info on room rates)
  • credit card information with exp. date
  • any dietary restrictions
  • dinner included: yes/no
  • breakfast choice: Japanese or Western
  • arrival time and departure time
  • your home telephone number and fax number
  • your home address

Tawaraya garden view from room
Tawaraya garden viewed from guest room © Joi

Room Rates at Tawaraya

When you call, the staff will explain what rooms are available and what they cost. There are 18 rooms in total. Costs vary according to season, room size and the quality of the garden view. Rooms have attached bathtubs and bathrooms. As a basic guide, per person rates range from Y45,000 to Y90,000, including two meals (note: rates are per person, NOT per room). If you are going to arrive late or want to eat dinner out, it is possible to request breakfast only for a 15% reduction in cost. However, the meals are a big part of the experience and it would be a shame to miss the experience of enjoying sublime traditional Japanese cuisines in the privacy of your room. For breakfast, you can choose Japanese or Western.

To get a sense of what it’s like to stay at Tawaraya, see A Night At Tawaraya, which will help you decide if it’s for you.



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