Kyoto Ryokans - Riverside Takase and Murakamiya

[Mandylion]

A few reviews of very budget ryokan in Kyoto - neither include meals.

Riverside Takase

I have often told friends that you get what you pay for with roykan and this is the proof that makes my theory a law.

I had three family members at this ryokan this past Golden Week ('04) and there was nothing but problems.

The phone number listed on the internet only connects you to the ryokan if you are lucky. If after a few rings at the Riverside Takase location no one in the office picks up, the call is forwarded to a private residence (the owners) who live some 40 minutes away. Since the owners are almost never at the ryokan, it is almost impossible to ever reach anyone staying there. Ofcourse such information is not stated on their webpage.

Both my wife and I were flat lied to twice before we got the truth (see above) when we were trying to reach my family members. Both times a man on the other end of the line - who we never met - said they were "out." The messages we managed to leave were not given to my family members but left on the door to the managers office (which is never occupied). The only way my family knew I had called was when one person was wandering the halls at 2AM due to jetlag.

Accomidations are the most basic in quality and border on youth hostel quality.

The pay phone for guests only works because my step-father took it apart and fixed it. If there had been a real emergency and outside people need to contact a guest or they needed to call out, they wouldn't have been able to. Even with a repaired phone - not the phone number listed on the Internet - trying to reach a guest of the ryokan will take about a day or more.

In short, the Riverside Takase Ryokan is poorly run, filled with outdated/broken appliances (phone and waterheater), inconvenient to get to, and nothing works. Stay at the Riverside Takase only if your next option is sleeping on a park bench. In many ways that would be a better deal.

The only good thing I can find about this place is that it has a kitchen with a few basic pots and pans.

Murakamiya

For the price, nothing could be better. I would recommend this ryokan to anyone staying in Kyoto on a budget.

Located a few streets back from Higashihongan-ji and about 7 minutes from JR Kyoto Station, Murakamiya is very close to major transportation resources. A bit tricky to find, but their on-line map makes it pretty painless.

Run by a family who lives downstairs (and so will answer their phone if you call), the lady of the house is friendly and helpful.

They have a coin laundry and dryer, shower and Japanese bath facilities, and about 8 rooms that sleep up to 4 comfortably enough. Also there is a common fridge and many helpful information boards about where to find internet cafes, bus and ATM information. The owners have no trouble watching your bags for you if you want to sightsee before check-in.

The place is a bit noisy as in most homes converted to lodging there is not much soundproofing. Don't plan on sleeping much past when your neighbors decide to get up. While the doors do lock from the inside, they do not when you are not there. Take all valuables with you. Lastly, you must be out of the room from 10 to 3 for cleaning. You do not need you own towel or soap, but bring shampoo.