Hiiragiya

Location: Kyoto, Southern Honshu & Kyushu | Japan

Hiiragiya is a historic luxury ryokan in the heart of Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital. Established in 1818, Hiiragiya has been in the hands of the same family for six generations, and has long been a favourite of celebrated artists, writers, and scientists as well as politicians and members of the imperial family.
Perfect forStaying in a traditional luxury ryokan in the heart of historic Kyoto.
In the know
  • Opened in 1818 and family-run for six generations
  • 28 exquisite, individually decorated rooms
  • Superb Kyoto sashimi and kaiseki cuisine
  • Favourite haunt of luminaries including Nobel Prize-winning novelist Yasunari Kawabata

Recommended for...

  • Cultural Immersion
  • Food & Wine
  • Guesthouse or Inn
  • History & Heritage

Hotel Overview

Sense of place

Right in the heart of historic Kyoto, Hiiragiya fits in with its surroundings with its traditional aesthetic, while retaining the friendly atmosphere of a family-run inn. Attention to detail and personal service are traditional and impeccable, with staff committed to creating a homely yet traditional atmosphere.

Rooms at Hiiragiya

Each of the 28 rooms at Hiiragiya is uniquely designed and following a different motif. Folding screens painted with gold leaf decorate some; others have ink paintings on handmade paper in the Zen style. Polished wooden beams, reed ceilings, and hand-carved wood detailing can be found in all the rooms, as well as unique decorative pieces like antique maki-e lacquered writing boxes, gilded and inlaid with mother-of- pearl. Hiiragiya is named for hiiragi, a lucky kind of holly, and the symbol of the holly leaf crops up repeatedly throughout the hotel’s rooms and corridors.

Food and drink

Cuisine at Hiiragiya is traditionally Japanese, in the extravagant kaiseki style, where course after course of delicately prepared local specialities are served up to you. Breakfast and dinner are both served in the privacy of your own room. The speciality of the hotel’s chefs is traditional Kyoto sashimi, but for guests who would rather not eat raw fish, meat dishes are also available by prior arrangement.

Facilities

Hiiragiya’s staff show remarkable attention to detail in their mission to make the ryokan feel like a home away from home. Water is splashed on the stone walkway as you enter, a traditional Japanese welcome, and slippers are provided for your use inside the ryokan. Each room has a private Japanese-style bath, and there are also central baths which can be reserved for private use.

Activities at Hiiragiya

Hiiragiya’s location in the heart of Kyoto means the ancient city’s myriad historical and cultural attractions are within easy reach. These include the Imperial Palace, the former residence of the emperors which is surrounded by the beautiful Imperial Palace Park; Nijo castle, which was built in 1679 and was once the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate; and Kiyomizu-dera, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Japan, which is perched dramatically on a forested hillside and was constructed from wood 400 years ago without the help of a single nail.

Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Best time to go

Hotel location

Hiiragiya is about five minutes’ walk from Shiyakusho-mae subway station.

Stay at Hiiragiya on these trips

More places to stay in Kyoto, Southern Honshu & Kyushu

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

call us on +1 347 809 3426 to start planning your perfect trip

Make an enquiry