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.

We stayed at Ryokan Ohto for 4 nights. It was our first time staying in a ryokan, and we were not sure what to expect. Other reviews had mentioned that it's a do-it-yourself type place, and that was definitely the case. The room was pretty large (except for the tiny bathroom) and very clean. The location was fantastic: walking distance to most things and several restaurants right around the corner. There was also a computer in the lobby with free internet, which was nice. The owner did not seem as friendly as other reviews had mentioned, and she spoke very limited English. The biggest issue we had was the mats you sleep on were simply not very comfortable. It made it hard to get a good night's sleep, and that's the main reason for a lower rating.

Although Ryokan Ohto is not the best ryokan I have stayed in Kyoto, it was one of a few things that I really enjoyed during my 3 days in there. The owner is an old lady and she ran the entire place by herself. She was really nice and even gave us New Year greeting card when we were there. My sisters and I stayed there for two nights, Jan. 2 & Jan.3. It was very difficult to book any place to stay and we were very lucky to have stay there.

Good things:
- About 15 minutes walk to Kyoto Station, 5 minutes to San-ju-san gendo, one of my favorite places in Kyoto
- I paid around 8000 yen per night, and we have a relatively big tatami room with en-suite bathroom. And this was during the New Year season, too.
- The owner is super nice and she leaves you alone.
- Amenities like yukata, towel, toothpaste... are included.

Bad things:
- Small bathroom, but then again, it's the common size that you could find at any budget hotel or ryokan in Japan.
- You have to set up your own futon but the owner does change your sheet everyday.

really great deal for central Kyoto; very authentic with tatami mats; the owner is really friendly and keeps the Inn very clean