Just spent our Christmas vacation here. I particularly wanted to try the traditional Japanese Ryokan (guesthouse) with tatami. So well before our trip, I did a thorough search on internet. To my surprise, this kind of accomodation (decent ones) is very pricey and unreasonable. This Watazen is the best choice in that the price is affordable, location excellent, good staff with acceptable English, cleanliness.

Location: very strategic. It's in the more traditional area, Kawaramachi, where there are lots of restaurants and shops. By walking, you reach the long walkway of Nishiki Market in 2 mins, Gion (after crossing the river) in 15 mins, the most famous Kiyomizu Temple in 45 mins, nearest underground station in 5 mins. The big Kyoto Station where you can take JR trans to other cities are just 2 stations away.

Price: I directly booked on their website (it has English). The rates are not in line with the usual concept. Commonly, room type (size) forms the basis of price calculation. But here in Watazen, the basis is the number of persons staying in the room. The rate quoted is per head. I was quite confused, but anyway at the end, we 2 persons booked a room (which can at maxi accommodates 5 or 6 persons) at the total price around 15000 yen per night with private bathroom.

Room: very spacious. One have to move around always near ground zero level. There is no table or something at a height that is suitable for placing and packing your suitcases. Beddings (futon) will be set by the lady at evening. Comfortable and interesting. Toilet and bathroom are separate. The toilet room is very small. The toilet seat is that kind common in Japan, keeping warm all the time but we chose to switch it off in order to save energy and the earth.

Bathroom: There are two communal bathrooms (not onsen/hot spring) for the two sexes and we bath everyday there instead of the bathroom in our own room. It's more relaxing to dip in the pool, particularly your foot will be so tired after the whole day walk. So if I could choose again, I would have booked a room without private bathroom which price is lower. But a reminder, for ladies who estimates their "monthly special days" fall within the staying period, then better book and stick to your own private bathroom.

Meals: You may pay some more and add a breakfast/dinner to your staying package (there are different kinds of set) or otherwise you simply take the free continental one with minimal coffee/tea and bread. I suggest you to try once the Japanese breakfast: tofu, fish and hot rice in beautiful setting (though the food is not that substantial, everything small in size and quantity. And you may sometimes feel like eating something you don't know exactly what it is. I believe that westerners may not love it, but give it a try anyway). For dinner, I recommend to dine outside as the area around the river is eating paradise. This guesthouse is not like those in remote hillside where dining-in is a good and only choice.

TV channels: limited, all are Japanese speaking channels. I am fine with it as it makes me stick to Japanese atmosphere.

Cleanliness: The outlook of the guesthouse may not be very attractive, yet, the interior is quite good. Room very clean. I tell you what. On our second day of stay, after taking the breakfast at appointed time 8:30am, we went back to our room to sleep until 12 noon. We could hear the heavy cleaning sound from upper floor or next room. We could sense that the ladies were washing the floor and cleaning the room seriously and thoroughly.

Staff: very nice, polite, helpful, can speak acceptable English. The confirmation email at booking is in understandable English too.

Guest type: we only saw 5 westerners during our stay while the rest are mainly local Japanese. 1 or 2 pairs are Chinese.

Overall, I enjoy and recommend this guesthouse to those who want to experience the Japanese traditional tatami room and hospitality at a reasonable price.

We spent one night at this ryokan as we were staying in Tokyo and just wanted to spend a day in Kyoto. The staff were very friendly and the hotel whilst dated was very clean. However we appeared to be the only non-Japanese visitors at the time and were quite disappointed to find at breakfast that everyone else was served grilled fish, cooked at the their tables, whilst we were served tofu. When we asked for an explanation were told that fish was very special (?!) We would quite happily have paid more if we had been asked. This casual discrimination left us feeling a little uncomfortable and spoilt what was otherwise a very nice stay.

we stayed for three nights. it was our first ryokan experience. the room for three was quiet spacious and the maids and hotel staff were extraordinary friendly and helpful. you have the possibility to get japanese breakfast which we would highly recommend. also the kaeseki menu is great. the location is minutes away from nishiki foodmarket and most of the temples etc. can be eached by foot. when its cold outside have a relaxing time in the bath. we would definitly go there again.

Watazen is a really nice place to stay in Kyoto, the staff were very friendly and helpful thoughout or stay. On arrival the receptionist welcomed us to our room with a traditional tea ceremony. We stayed in a traditional Japanese room sleeping on the Tatami floor which is a great experience which you should try. For breakfast you could choose either Western or Japanese. The location is pretty good, most things are in walking distance in Kyoto. The ryokan is slightly old but the rooms are very well kept and the staff are fantastic.