Ohto ryokan was my first ryokan ever. It left me with a good first-impression. Located just off the easily-accessible Shichijo street, a short walk away from flashy Gion and Kyoto Station, it has made Kyoto a very pleasurable part of my trip. The ryokan was clean and tidy. It being located in a ally branching off Shichijo, it was quite both in morning and night. The staff, though not speaking too much English, were very nice and helpful. The room and lobby were equipped with whatever you need to make your stay there a good experience. When I'll return to Kyoto, I'll make sure to stay there again.

This family owned ryokan is a small ryokan. It is just walking distance to the subway and bus stops. The ryokan is a simple hotel which has a small staircase with no lifts or elevators.
My husband ordered the biggest room which actually is good for 2 people unless you are petite then you can accommodate 4. The toilet/bathroom are small which is quite tricky to move around.
It is not the cleanest place but it is neither dirty. Didn't had any problems with fleas as I am most sensitive to any insect bites. The walls are rather thin that you can hear your neighbor conversation.
Do not leave your keys at the reception as we thought that at times there are no one watching the small lobby if someone comes in.
On our last day, we had to leave our baggage at the lobby, nothing stolen, everything were still in place. It had been pouring that day and we got soaked. The owner told us we can use the shower and toilet for free with towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner. And we were able to change our clothes before our flight. And they called the taxi for us.
The area is near to restaurants, sweet shops, grocery and a cafe.

I stayed here for 3 nights and was eaten alive on the second night by "danni", a type of Japanese flea which lives in tatami, they survive usually when rooms are not clean and the scars the bites left did not go away for 2 weeks. It was ridiculously itchy and quite a dampner on my trip to Kyoto. The ryokan was quite far from the main area and there wasn't really anywhere to eat around locally. I would not stay at this place again.

We chose Ryokan Ohto because we wanted to try out traditional japanese inn at a reasonable price. Got it at 68,000yen per night with attached bathroom.
The location is not ideal, a good 20mins walk at least from the Kyoto station. There is however a bus stop right outside the ryokan if need be.
Room is really small and we had no space for our luggages after lying the tatamis. We had to place them in the enclosed balcony area. The attached bathroom is really tiny too. Imagine stretching out both arms and they touched the walls easily...that's how tiny the area is.
Landlady tried to be nice but there was communication breakdown because she knows limited English. She added a nice personal touch during our last night though by giving us a Geisha postcard imprinted with Ryokan stamp.