I left my Patagonia down jacket behind and when I arrived at my hotel in Tokyo, it was waiting for me. They were very kind to mail it to the hotel. I am so impressed by their service and hospitality. I miss them already.

Hiiragiya is one of the three famous "Kyoto Ryokans", and it does its reputation justice. The service is impeccable. I found myself impressed by the surprise teas that they bring to you as you are settling in, the heartwarming recommendations that they make regarding sight seeing, and the careful preparation of your exquisite meals and living arrangements. The building itself is a historical treasure, and the experience overall is just second to none.

This was our second experience at a genuine Ryokan and just like the first one it did not disappoint. The exceptional service, food and ambience of this Ryokan was second to none. It is right in the middle of Kyoto but once you are in you fee like you are in the middle of nowhere. Close to everything and the food was probably the best we had in all Japan.

We were told that if we were going to splurge on something, it should be staying here. That advice couldn't have been more accurate. We loved the ryokan for it's unbelievable service, commitment to authenticity, and everything. This ryokan felt like home. You are greeted with tea upon your return from exploring the city as well as having a hot soak in your room's tub. We were there 2 nights and had dinner and breakfast in our rooms both days. We loved the food and experiencing traditional meals and service. We may not have liked every aspect of the meals, but we wanted to dive into Japanese culture and cuisine. This was the best way to do this. They also have so much food that you will be full even if you don't eat or try everything. For those less adventurous with food, they do have alternative options for western tastes. We really can't recommend this ryokan enough. We felt like we were taken back in time here and were staying in a museum with all the adventure ammenities of modern days.

This was an incredible experience for me and my wife. Easily the most special thing we did in our 7 days in Japan. Cost us a lot, but worth it, from the hot baths, personal attention, 12 course meals, and the quiet calm of the place. You can stay at a Hyatt or other western hotels in Japan for a lot less money, but you will miss the special Japanese feel that Ryokan provides. When you are in this Ryokan, you know you are in Japan, and nowhere else on earth.