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Reviews of Hotel Honnoji

3 out of 5
Hotel Honnoji
522 Shimo-Honnojimae-Cho Oike-Sagaru, Teramachi-Dori, Nakagyo, Kyoto, Kyoto

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 131 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 63 out of 131 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 31 out of 131 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 131 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 131 reviews" "

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location & great staff! Room was extremely comfortable as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Hotel Honnoji on Apr 18, 2024
Thank you very much for staying with us this time.The Management and Staff would like to thank you for the wonderful comments.We are glad to hear that you enjoyed taking off your shoes and staying in a traditional Japanese tatami room.We will continue to work hard to provide accommodations that satisfy our customers. Please stay with us if you have a chance. We look forward to seeing you again.Hotel　Honnoji

10/10 Excellent

Zhihui Melissa, Singapore

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spacious room, friendly and helpful hotel staff, fantastic breakfast. Will definitely return, convinient location to train station to other parts of kyoto.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Hotel Honnoji on Feb 29, 2024
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel.Thank you very much to all the staff for your wonderful comments.For breakfast, we serve a Japanese breakfast centered on Kyoto's traditional "Obanzai".Advance reservations are required, but the breakfast is popular with many guests.As you said, our hotel is located right near "Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae " subway station.We are very happy to hear that you were satisfied with your stay at our hotel.We look forward to seeing you again when you come to Kyoto.Thank you.

8/10 Good

Sin Wa Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good location
Easily accessible by bus and close to the tourist area. The staff speak good English and were helpful with looking for transportation option for my next stop. The only downside is that they do not have wifi in the room.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My first Ryokan
Was quite nice except for the amazingly loud kitchen staff who insisted on keeping me awake.

8/10 Good

Paul, Le

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
If improve internet and bath will be better.
Just a standard Japanese Tatami floor. Have a place for wash you face inside the room.

8/10 Good

Will, Perth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location. Close to 1000 shops!
It's right in front of subway exit. Turn to the street on the right to find yourself bask in restaurants and shops. Turn to the left to get Japanese style souvenirs. Straight ahead a beautiful temple exists. Everything is within walking distance. The hotel itself offers traditional way of living. Wear your yukata lent from the hotel. Drink as much ocha tea as you want. Bathe yourself in the hot tub. Minus : no wifi in your room.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel convenient to the station
Lovely place, had a great time. Be aware that it is next to a major road with thin windows.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rooms had a private toilet and sink but bathing facilities are public ryokan-style. There is no WiFi in the rooms but the first floor has free wifi. Location was great.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

8/10 Good

Frances

Liked: Staff & service
The location is excellent. Hotel staff hardly understanding Englis.

4/10 Poor

Jeff from Los Altos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Japanese style hotel right across from city hall
This hotel is 30 feet from one of the subway exits. I was on the inside so my room window looked in to the court yard of the Honnoji Temple. My room was big but very very simple. Not many amenities. It has two public bath area that are common in Japanese hotels, one on the 3 floor and one in the basement. I would rate these slight above average. Tea was provide in the room and in the hallways. Internet only in the lobby. Internet was fast enough to do phone calls from. I had no-issues or problem.

8/10 Good

Sue, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, walking distance to everything
First time in Kyoto so thankful for trip advice from staff

10/10 Excellent

Retiree

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very helpful staff
This hotel is in a fantastic part of Kyoto. It is A great experience with a well equipped onsen. The staff are very helpful and found a way to ship and store some of luggage for an extended period of time. The staff are wonderful

2/10 Terrible

Kanokwan, New york

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bad experience ,waste time.
It doesn't have communicate between agency and hotel because we got the problem when we arrived .we had inform to agency but the problem still happened.The hotel doesn't try to help customer but they give a choice "cancel or pay more money" that mean we have no choice.if we pick "cancel",we have to find the hotel when we arrived that impossible.if we pick " charge " we have to pay that mean we didn't plan this budget before.they just said they understood our feeling but "no action".

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Traditional Japanese, central location
First it's important to realize this is a ryokan style inn. It's great for experiencing some Japanese culture but comes with some inconveniences. First you are sleeping on the floor on some comforters and a blanket. Some people are ok with that, others might not be. The good thing is the room was quite large considering you are in Japan, and there are enough comforters and space to fit a group of 4 in there if need be. Also comes with a kimono and some tea. Tradition also dictates that you bathe in a communal bathroom! Might be interesting at first but gets annoying fast, especially as it's not open 24/7! Luckily they have a private shower you can request if needed. Location was really good. I was tired my first night I arrived in Kyoto so decided just to check out the area. Turns out you are right next to some strips that are dedicated to shopping and tourists. Just shops as far as the eye can see!! Also a pretty good udon and tempura place right next door. Be aware that stores and restaurants in the area tend to close relatively early at around 9-10pm. (In tokyo things seemed to stay open later) The hotel also uses keys and not cards so you drop it off each time before you leave the hotel which is a bit tedious. Overall I'm glad I got to experience a semi authentic ryokan, but I wouldn't do it again and I recommend if you decide to try it, there's no need to stay for longer than a few days. The hotel itself is good for what it's supposed to be!
Response from reception on Dec 16, 2014
Thank you very much for your comment.

8/10 Good

jcheney

Liked: Staff & service

8/10 Good

Musicman, Sea

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location, traditional Ryokan style
This is a Ryokan style hotel with tatami mats in main room, toilet in small side closet, and sink in room. Shared baths on the basement floor were clean and very comfortable. We spent two nights, mid-week during Cherry blossom season. Very convenient location to major shrines and temples in Kyoto area. Staff are friendly, main desk staff speak some English while room staff typically do not. Hotel is right next to Tozai subway exits 2 and 3 on south side of Oike Dori (street) across from Kyoto city office buildings (city hall). Honno-ji shrine is behind the hotel and can be accessed from three paths nearby. There is a good underground mall connected to the subway station with restaurants and shops including a nice grocery. Plenty of shops and restaurants within 5 minute walking distance. Some things to be aware of: - There was no A/C in our rooms on the 6th floor and with outdoor high temp around 20 degrees C the hotel rooms were very warm - As noted by others, hotel lobby is very smoky. If you don't like smoke it can be uncomfortable even passing through - WiFi is only available on ground floor (lobby), but you can stand outside the main door and get a good signal. Nice for those who want to avoid smoke If you are expecting western style hotel rooms this is not a good fit, but if you are up for a more traditional Japanese experience it is a good place to stay.
Response from reception on Jun 16, 2014
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel. We hope you had good stay at our hotel and enjoy in Kyoto,Japan. If you get another chance to visit in Kyoto, We hope you will stay at our hotel again.

8/10 Good

Stone88

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Awesome holiday for the family
Great location and value for money. Almost center to everywhere we wanna go, from temples, to palaces, to shopping, by walking, trains or buses. As we were travelling with 2 children, not many hotels in Japan can accommodate 4 in a room.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Traditional Experience
A great place for westerners like myself to get a taste of traditional Japanese living. Staff were fantastic and spoke English very well. Only downside is that the free WiFi is only available on the 1st floor and not in room. Also no yakutas that fit for fat guys like myself.
Response from reseption on Jun 16, 2014
Thank you very mush for staying at our hotel. If you ask the front desk, we provide larger Yukata. We are sorry for the inconvenience for the WIFI facilities. I

10/10 Excellent

Jack Chiang

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great Experience for a family trip
Very clean and affordable with great location and wonderful culture experience. We stayed in a big family room during our stay in Kyoto.

8/10 Good

AG, Ottawa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay
This place was very awesome, clean, great service, and spectacular room. Wireless in the lobby worked but the lobby has a strong smell of cigarettes. There is no Internet in the room. Just out the back of the hotel is a Temple, Honnō-ji, I think. Anyway, its very cool our room looked out at the front of the temple. In the early AM some monks-priests(not sure) came out in a line chanting. At night if you open the window you could hear the drums playing.
Response from reseption on Dec 8, 2013
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel. We hope you had great time in Kyoto. We are sorry for the smell of cigarettes. maybe it is time to think about smoking or Internet enviroment....

8/10 Good

Michael, Australia

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location, true style
Exceptional style, and very unique. Atsmosphere is fantastic, location is great. Exceptional customer service! Very tidy, and clean, but be wary that you are sleeping on traditional mattresses, and bamboo floors
Response from reseption on Dec 8, 2013
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel. We hope you had great stay in Kyoto.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Traditional hotel experience
Great service but the best thing was the Japanese baths and the fantastic meals they served in the room. Very clean, an older style hotel but a traditional experience.
Response from reseption on Oct 22, 2013
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel.

10/10 Excellent

Wenwen, Washington, DC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
An excellent place to experience authetic Japan
Our family of 4 had a Fantastic stay in this traditional Ryokan in central Kyoto! Tatami room (with bath & shower), public bath, and of course, food and tea. Services here were subtle and pleasant. Location is super, connects to the historical Honnoji Temple, close to all sightseeing and shopping places one can think of. Some reviews compliant about hotel's curfew and unable to get in after 11pm. In fact, in the lobby and every guest room, there's a note included in the Hotel's Handbook that politely ask guests that if you decide to come back latter than 11pm, just let the front desk know before you leave, "we'll be gladly open the door for you at any hour". Regarding the typical small rooms, many previous reviewers mentioned that besides the traditional Japanese Public Bath located in the badement, there're no private showers, only shared showers on each floor, this is not correct. I believe it depends on which rooms you get. Our room (#601) had a toilet, washing room, a soaking tub and shower. Small but very comfy. Upon examining the hotel diagram, I realize all x01 rooms have no next door neighbors at all - utility room on the left, service preparation room on the right, which could be the reason why we got it giving that we checked in with two happy kids! The only area that may help is the hallway carpets could be improved with some new carpeting.
Response from reseption on Oct 22, 2013
Thank you so much for staying at our hotel. Some room have a private shower(not all rooms).It is sometime not good enviroment for foreign guests.We feel sorry about that.If you get another chance to visit in Kyoto,we hope you stay at our hotel again.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service

10/10 Excellent

Eric

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Love:), Singapore

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfy Beds:) but no shower room attached.
We had a very enjoyable stay in your Hotel, the Reception Staffs were really helpful. Especially, the Chinese Staff. With all the great information we gather from your reception staff we are able to travel around Kyoto with no stress. Thanks again for all your help.
Response from reseption on Jul 3, 2013
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel. We are waitting for your next visit.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good
Good location, close to train station and many shops and restaurants. Comfy double layered traditional mattresses on the tatami mats. Roomy and clean. No English tv.
Response from reseption on Jul 3, 2013
Thank you very much for staying at our hotel. We are waitting for your next visit.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely Japanese Ryokan Hotel
Hotel Honnoji has the feel of a efficient large hotel with the charm of a traditional ryokan. Our room was very big with a nice view. Perfect location for all of Kyoto and the subway entrance is right outside. Shared bath facilities were extremely clean and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay but the only downside was the smoking in the hotel lobby which is where the free wifi is available.
Response from reseption on Jul 3, 2013
Thank you very much for your comment. We would like to create the better Internet enviroment and have to separate the smoking section. We will wait for your next visit. THANKS

8/10 Good

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Traditional style hotel
We'd wanted to experience a tatami room in one of our stays in Japan so picked this hotel as Kyoto was proving a bit pricy and difficult to find twin rooms in. The rooms were quite small but very standard Japanese style with futons and a low table. The hotel itself seemed a bit 1970s and could do with decorating and there were quite a few stains on the walls in our room. Be warned that this hotel only offers (gender segregated) public bathing facilities so if you're not the sort to strip off in public this is not the place for you as there are no bathrooms in the rooms (there are toilets though). The staff were extremely friendly and helpful
Response from reseption on Jul 3, 2013
Thank you very much for your comment. It is the biggest problem that there are no shower in the rooms for foreign guests. We have small shower room for a few people. If you ask us, we could let you use it.... Sorry for the Inconvenience. We will wait for your next visit.

8/10 Good

SiriusDog

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Interesting Weekend
The Hannoji hotel is not for everyone but I had a great time at the hotel. I was traveling alone and was looking for a more traditional hotel experience in Kyoto but couldn't afford the really high end luxury suites offered by the other hotels. At the Honnoji, I got to experience sitting and sleeping Japanese style and got to have my own little tea ceremony in the room. My room did not have a shower and I got to use the very clean public bath in the basement. My room was on the 5th floor, overlooking the old city offices building, relatively large and clean. Overall, the location of the hotel is perfect. Within walking distance of many shops, eateries and unknown cultural landmarks but also very easy access to metro. On my second day, I rented a bike and explored, highly recommended. You can get a bike delivered to the hotel (for a small charge) or you can just go the street corner and rent one.

8/10 Good

Erik, Oslo, Norway

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice place in a good location
We ordered a family room for four people and got a very nice Japanese style 12-tatami room with four futons. The room was very nice, with everything you expect from a Japanese hotel, including small-size yukata for the children. There was a small table, a refrigerator and free hot/cold tea/water in the hall for breakfast in the room. There was also a Japanese bath in the basement. The location was ideal, next to a subway-station and very close to e.g. sanjo bridge and the many shops and restaurants nearby. Nijo castle and the imperial palace also within walking distance. The only thing we didn't like was that the staff was not very accommodating in letting us enter the room before 1500. We were there first at around noon, and went for lunch. when we came back about 1445, the children were a bit tired and it would have been very nice if they would let us into the room, but we were not allowed. We understand normal check-in time is 1500, but are normally met with a little flexibility from the hotel. Nevertheless, a good hotel in a good location - especially if you are interested in a traditional feeling (sleeping in a Japanese style room with futons).
Response from reseption on Jul 3, 2013
Thank you very much for message. We are sorry for the some inconvenience. Some reseptionists don't speak English very well, Therefore sometime we are not flexible for the guests. We would like to be more frexible about check-in for the guest,especially for family guests with small kids.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

8/10 Good

Jo, London, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
No
No frills, and unappealing from outside. Room was nice, with everything i needed including a cotton dressing gown, fridge, hot water for tea and a small snack. The large communal bath was very nice and relaxing. Location is superb and central. Wifi available in lobby.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Good but old

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Terriable hotel. Worst of my life
First of all , the room is Very dirty. No service what so ever. If u want to come back after 11. U have to let them know first. Otherwise u will be lock out. But usually for travelers, we don't know the city too well. It's hard to tell when will I be back. Because it's like a traditional japanese room. Usually normal hotel will set up ur bed and take away in the morning. But here I didn't get any staff help. Most of the hotel rooms has no shower. But the price is crazy expensive(compare with the quality of the hotel) Please don't look at the hotel pics. The room looks so different. Location is the only good thing. And remember ur checkout time is 10. And they don't have shower in the room.so for who like to take shower in the morning. U d better wake up super early. This hotel is very noisy. Due to the thin wall. Don't hope u can get sleep after 6. Noise comes from everywhere. Upstaris, the next room or outside of the room. and staff will smoke in the hallway. The staff will go in ur room when u r sleep. That's the worse part!

10/10 Excellent

CHOI

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Hotel Honnoji on Oct 26, 2023
Thank you for selecting us out of the many possible places here.Thank you again for writing this review.I would like you to try our breakfast on your next visit.We look forward to your next visit.

6/10 Okay

Kｋｋｋｋ, Tokyo

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
駅近で観光地が多い和室ホテル
タイからの外国人の友人の要望で、和室ホテルを検索。 外観と部屋の写真を見て迷わずに、予約完了！ 実際に入室すると和室特有の香りと和菓子とお茶（お湯がすでに用意されていた！）で、友人も大変満足して、とても有意義な宿泊ができた。
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017
Response from ホテル本能寺 on Jun 20, 2018
この度は当館をご利用頂き、誠にありがとうございます。 又、返事が大変遅くなり、心よりお詫び申し上げます。 廊下の清掃が行き届いておらず、ご不快な思いをさせてしまい、誠に申し訳ございません。 今後はスタッフ全員が、細心の注意を払い清掃業務にあたりたいと存じます。 またご満足頂けた点もあったようで私共もとても嬉しく思っております。 当館は平成29年(2017年)11月をもちまして営業を一時中断し、現在、解体・建設工事を執り行っており、平成31年(2019年)10月の営業再開を予定しております。 また機会がございましたら是非ご利用下さいませ。装い新たな姿で心よりお待ち申し上げております。

4/10 Poor

윤사마, 서울

Liked: Staff & service
생각보다너무별로였던.....
가격대비 굉장히 질이 낮은 호텔이었습니다.... 호텔이란이름을왜붙였는지.... 방음도안되고 한국으로따지자면 유스호스텔같은 느낌이었습니다. 로비만멀쩡..엘레베이터타고올라가면 시설이굉장히낙후되었습니다
Response from Hotel Honnoji　Staff on Jun 22, 2018
Thank you very much for your stay in our hotel. We apologize for the defects during your stay. Our Hotel is under reconstruction from last December 2017. Reopening is scheduled in October 2019. To ensure your comfortable experience here next time, we will improve defects. We look forward to your next visit.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
ホテルが古いので仕方ないけど、学生が団体で利用していたのか、夜中中、ずっと騒いで響いてうるさくて寝れなかった

8/10 Good

殿下

Liked: Staff & service
昔ながらのホッとする和室 大浴場は懐かしい。窓を開ければ本能寺境内 京都らしさ満喫です。
観光しやすい立地 館内・部屋・設備は古いがかえって修学旅行の思い出を甦らせてくれる。フロントも親切で気持ちよい。すべて『調度良いね』

8/10 Good

jeehun

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
장점 비즈니스 호텔 처럼 좁지 않고 일본 전통 다다미 방식으로 침대를 싫어하는 나에게 좋았음. 목욕탕이 있어서 좋고 지하철역에서도 2분 내 거리. 가격도 저렴하여 좋음 단점 로비에서는 인터넷이 되나 방에서는 인터넷이 안된다. 밤 11시에 문을 닫는다. 야경 촬영이 어렵다.

10/10 Excellent

seongeun

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
대욕탕 굿!

6/10 Okay

yasuhito

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
別館はちょっと…
別館に案内されたのですが、本館から非常口にて一旦出て隣の館へ。あいにくの雨で、本館地下の大浴場まではスリッパはダメとの事で履いていた濡れた靴で向かい、また履いて別館の部屋までの移動。さすがにスッキリしたとは言えない…
Response from ホテル本能寺 on Jun 20, 2018
この度は当館をご利用頂き、誠にありがとうございます。 又、返事が大変遅くなり、心よりお詫び申し上げます。 本館と西館の行き来や大浴場等館内移動は、天候に関わらず本来スリッパで移動可能でございます。こちらのスタッフの案内間違いで大変不快な思い、多大なご迷惑をお掛けして、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。 当館は2017年11月18日をもちまして営業を一時中断し、現在、解体・建設工事を執り行っており、2019年10月の営業再開を予定しております。 リニューアルオープンの際も、スタッフの指導教育を徹底し、お客様に快適・ 安心して過ごしていただける空間・サービスをご提供出来るようサービスの向上に努めて参る所存でございます。 この度は、お忙しいところ貴重なご意見ありがとうございました。 また機会がございましたら、是非ご利用下さいませ。心よりお待ち申し上げております。

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

8/10 Good

Shigeki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
快適なお風呂
大浴場は時間制限があるが、快適。ただし、外国人観光客のマナーが悪い（ホテルの問題ではない）。

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
만족
호텔에 와이파이가 없는듯 포켓와이파이를 지침했음으로 문제 없었으나 물어봐야 할듯 호텔자체에서 소음에 대한 보장이 없다고 명시 되어 있으니 복도에서 대화시 방에서 다 들림 직원분들은 매우 친철함 다만 24시간 데스크 운영은 안함.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
便利な立地
バス停からも近く飲食店もまわりにたくさんあり寺町通りにも近いので 夜散歩がてら出かけて夜も楽しむことができた。 大浴場があり23時まで入れるので出かけて帰ってきてからお風呂に入ることができた。1Fにはカフェもあり隣にコンビニもあるのでとても便利。 京都に来ることがあったらまた利用したいと思います。