Kyoto INN Gion the Second Japan

Kyoto's Hidden Gem: Gion's BEST Kept Secret Inn (Japan)

Kyoto's Hidden Gem: Gion's BEST Kept Secret Inn - A Messy, Honest Review

Okay, folks, let's be real for a sec. Finding the "best kept secret" in Kyoto is like trying to find a quiet pigeon in a ramen shop – it’s tough. But, this place, this "Gion's BEST Kept Secret Inn"? Well, it actually almost lives up to the hype. Keyword: almost.

This review is gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "what-I-actually-thought-while-sipping-sake-at-2-AM-after-a-massage-that-kinda-felt-like-a-wrestling-match." Buckle up.

Getting There & Getting Around (Accessibility - Not Always Smooth Sailing)

First off, "Secret Inn" is a bit of a stretch. It's not secret in the "buried-treasure-under-a-maple-tree" sense. More like "slightly-difficult-to-find-without-Google-Maps-because-Kyoto's-street-numbering-is-designed-by-a-sadistic-geographer" sense. Seriously. Be prepared. Download offline maps. And, for accessibility…it’s okay. There’s an elevator (hallelujah!). But navigating around the Gion district itself can be a cobblestone-filled nightmare. Important note: they do have facilities for disabled guests, but I’d strongly recommend contacting them directly to discuss specific needs. Don’t assume anything!

They offer airport transfer – USE IT! It’s worth the extra yen to escape the train/bus chaos. And, while there’s free parking (yes!), actually finding a spot can be another fun little Kyoto scavenger hunt. They do have a car charging station, which is a nice touch for the eco-conscious wanderer, but I’m not sure I’d trust it with my precious Tesla just yet.

The Rooms (Mostly Heavenly, with a Few Quirks)

Let's get to the real stuff: the rooms. They boast everything you'd expect from a place vying for "Best Kept Secret.” Air conditioning? Absolutely essential, especially in that Kyoto humidity. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Bless the tech gods! It worked perfectly (except when it didn’t, naturally, but that’s life).

The beds, however, are where the magic truly happens. Seriously, they're cloud-like. Extra-long bed? Yes, please! Blackout curtains, soundproofing? Necessary for a good night's sleep, and happily, they deliver. The bathrobes? Plush. The slippers? Fluffy. I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it!

My room included a desk where I could pretend to work, a seating area for…well, me to sit and contemplate life, and a mini-bar that was a little too tempting. A refrigerator is handy for stashing those late-night convenience store snacks. The bathroom was pristine and included a separate shower and bathtub. There are also additional toilets (one is better than none).

The minor gripes: The Internet access – LAN was a bit of a dinosaur (who uses LAN anymore?!). The complimentary tea was delicious, but the coffee maker, was okay (a simple coffee machine, not what I expected). The mirror was a little too flattering. I spent way too long admiring myself. #vain. On the other hand, the in-room safe box was great for my passport. Extra long bed and those soft slippers were also really great too!

The Food (Mostly Delicious… and a Bit Overwhelming)

Okay, food. Now we're talking. Dining, drinking, and snacking options are plentiful. Kyoto is a foodie paradise, and this place leans into it.

Breakfast: You can opt for a buffet, or get breakfast in your room (highly recommend). The Western breakfast was decent, but the Asian breakfast was amazing. Think miso soup, rice, grilled fish, and a level of deliciousness that will make you weep with joy.
Restaurants, Bar & Coffee Shop: There are multiple restaurants. One specializes in Asian cuisine, the other International cuisine, and they're both worth checking out. The coffee shop is perfect for a quick caffeine fix. And the bar? Well, let's just say I spent a fair amount of time there. Happy Hour is a must.
Other Goodies: A la carte in the restaurant is available too. Snack bar is great in the middle of the night when you can't find anything else to eat except ramen at 2 AM. Poolside bar is there too, perfect for cocktails.

My Take: The variety is amazing. Be prepared to eat a lot.

Relaxation & Well-being (Massage – Oh, the Massage!)

This is where the "secret" really shone. They’ve poured their precious yen into relaxation. Seriously, this place is like a spa explosion.

The Spa: the best part. I swear, I'm still floating. The massage was otherworldly. Okay, it started a bit rough, felt a bit like a wrestling match, but after, it was a truly incredible experience.
More Relaxation Station: Foot bath? Yes! Sauna? You betcha! Steamroom? Absolutely. Pool with view? Check.
The Fitness Center… I tried to use the Gym/fitness center once, but it was full of actual fitness enthusiasts. I retreated back to the sauna.

Cleanliness & Safety (Reassuring… Mostly)

In a post-pandemic world, this is crucial. And this Inn takes it seriously.

Hygiene Practices: They have the standard stuff: hand sanitizer, daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol, anti-viral cleaning products. They have sterilizing equipment and professional-grade sanitizing services. These guys are definitely trying.
Other Safety Stuff: Fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, security [24-hour]
The One "Ehhh" Moment: Room sanitization opt-out is available. I’m all for choice, but maybe I should have opted in?

Other Services & Conveniences (A Mixed Bag)

Excellent: I think that the concierge was great. The daily housekeeping was spot-on.
Good to Know: There is a convenience store nearby. There is a luggage storage, and a laundry service.
Business Friendly: There are meeting/banquet facilities, which is great if you're on a work trip, as well as business facilities like Xerox/fax in business center.
Little Things: They have invoice provided (nice). The currency exchange is handy. Facilities for disabled guests are available (be sure to inquire).

For the Kids (Meh)

Babysitting service, family/child friendly, kids facilities, and kids meal are available.
If you're traveling with kids, Kyoto in general with kids can be overwhelming.
Important note: They don’t list pets available.

Things to Do… and Not to Do (A Personal Rant)

Okay, this is where I get real. They have a shrine nearby, which is cool. They offer contactless check-in/out, for the digital nomads. The terraces are lovely for a quiet moment of zen. They have a gift/souvenir shop for the last-minute panic gift-givers like myself.

What they DON'T have (and I would have liked):

A proper guide to the best ramen shops within a 5-minute walk. Seriously, this is a Kyoto Inn!
A "Japanese 101 for Dummies" cheat sheet for guests. (I embarrassed myself multiple times.)

The Verdict:

Is it perfect? No. Is it a "best kept secret"? Maybe not exactly, but definitely a hidden gem. Does it fall into the category of "Must-Book"? Absolutely.

Here's the Deal:

The Good: The superb rooms, the location (once you find it!), the food, the spa, and the staff who genuinely try to help.
The Not-So-Good: The occasionally chaotic accessibility, the high price.
The Bottom Line: Book this inn. Do it. But go with a flexible attitude, a strong sense of adventure, and a LOT of appetite.

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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned, bullet-pointed travel itinerary. This is real life, Kyoto-style. And frankly, Gion… well, Gion's got a way of messing with you.

Kyoto Chronicles: Gion's Grime & Glory (A Messy, Wonderful Trip)

Day 1: Arrival & The Great Ramen Ruckus

8:00 AM (ish): Finally! Bleary-eyed and fueled by instant coffee swiped from the airport lounge (don't judge, jet lag is a beast), I arrive at the Kyoto Inn Gion the Second. Let me tell you, the "Second" part made me nervously double-check the booking. Seems legit. The lobby? Tiny. Charming, though. Like a very polite, well-dressed hamster's apartment.
9:00 AM: Check-in. The front desk person, bless her cotton socks, speaks impeccable English. But the paperwork… my brain is STILL processing the altitude change, and suddenly all those Kanji symbols looked like angry little bugs. Managed to sign everything with a flourish of penmanship that could generously be described as "chicken scratch." Hope I didn't accidentally sign away my firstborn.
10:00 AM: Room! Okay, it's compact – let's call it 'cozy'. The bathtub is… questionable. Might need to shower in a hazmat suit. But the view! A peek of some traditional rooftops, and a sliver of a temple. Worth it. The air smells of… something. Incense? Old wood? Definitely not the industrial-strength cleaning products I expect. Love it.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: The Great Ramen Hunt. This was supposed to be elegant. Pre-researched, Michelin-starred ramen. Turns out, navigating Gion on a near-empty stomach is like trying to herd cats in a tornado. Google Maps kept sending me in circles. Found one place. Closed. Another: A line that snaked around the block. My stomach started making noises that embarrassed even me. Finally, after about an hour of wandering aimlessly (and muttering profanities under my breath), I stumble upon a tiny, unassuming ramen shop. The kind with the plastic food displays in the window. Pure luck. Ordered whatever was in the first slot. Best. Ramen. EVER. Broth so rich, noodles so perfect, I almost cried. Almost. I was too busy devouring it.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Gion Wanderings (And the Moment I Fell in Love with Old Lady Fashion) Post-ramen bliss (and a much-needed bathroom break) I wandered. Gion is a feast for the eyes. The wooden machiya houses are breathtaking. The geisha district is a sensory overload! I may or may not have awkwardly tried to take a photo of a geiko (I failed miserably, mostly because I was utterly mesmerized). I noticed that the older women in that district have the absolute best fashion sense. Kimonos and all sorts of layers. That stuff is seriously stylish.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: The Attempted Tea Ceremony (And the Lesson in Grace I Clearly Lack). Okay, so I booked a tea ceremony. Figured, "How hard can it be? Sip some tea, appreciate the zen vibes, boom, cultural immersion." WRONG. Turns out, it's a delicate dance of subtle gestures and profound respect. I clattered the tea bowl. I sloshed tea down my chin. I probably looked like a confused baby panda. The tea master, bless her patience, must have wanted to strangle me. But the tea? Surprisingly delicious. And the whole experience? Hilariously humbling.
8:00 PM: Dinner Disaster… And Salvation! Found a soba noodle place. Sounds good, right? Wrong. I should have read the reviews. The noodles were… well, let's just say they defied gravity. And the service was… glacial. I paid, mumbled a hasty "Arigato," and RAN. Found a tiny izakaya (Japanese pub) with a friendly atmosphere and delicious grilled skewers, served with Sapporo! I devoured them. Much better.

Day 2: Temples, Tranquility (and More Near-Death Experiences)

9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Tiny, perfectly formed pastries. Delicious, and I was still full of ramen.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & The Pure Water Fiaso: Kiyomizu-dera. Absolutely stunning. The views. The architecture. The crowds. The crowds! I swear, every tourist in Japan was there. But the temple itself? Breathtaking. The wooden stage overlooking Kyoto? Magical. I (foolishly) attempted to drink from the Otowa Waterfall for good health. The line was ridiculously long, and the water was freezing! And I may have accidentally bumped into a small child. (Sorry, kid!)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in the Shadow of the Temple (And the Problem with Pickles). Found another tiny restaurant near the temple. Ordered a set meal. It came with EVERYTHING. Including a plate of… pickled vegetables. Now, I'm not a picky eater. But these pickles. They were… intense. Like, a flavor explosion of vinegar, salt, and something else I can't quite identify. I ate two. And then I admitted defeat.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Wandering Through the Streets (And the Unexpected Charm of a Convenience Store): Decided to walk. Lost track of time, got lost, but I wasn't upset. Suddenly I was in this quieter area, away from the hordes. Came across a little garden. Then I was back on the streets! I was getting hungry again. Popped into a Lawson's (convenience store). I know, I know, not very cultural. But the variety of snacks? The perfect onigiri? The surprisingly good coffee? Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Geisha District Revisited (And the Moment I Almost Ran Over a Man). Back in Gion. Trying (again) to spot a geiko (success rate: still zero). Strolled along a narrow street. Came around a corner. Man on a bicycle. I froze. He froze. I yelled something. He froze. I am convinced I almost killed someone. I am so sorry. I hate being in a hurry when I walk, and now…
8:00 PM: Dinner & Reflection (And the Realisation That I Need More Sleep). Found another izakaya. Ordered more skewers. Stared at the ceiling, wondering, is life just a series of me messing up? The answer is probably yes.

Day 3: Sayonara, Kyoto (And the Promise to Return… Eventually)

9:00 AM: Another delicious, tiny pastry at the hotel.
10:00 AM: Souvenir Shopping (And the Problem with Decision-Making). Needed gifts. Felt the pressure. Wandered into a shop. I saw so many beautiful things! Incense! Tea sets! Fans! I wanted everything! Ended up buying a hand-painted fan I probably didn't need but definitely loved.
11:00 AM: Check Out (And the Pleasant Surprise). Check-out was easy. The lovely woman at the front desk even remembered my name! Said "Arigato," with genuine warmth. The little hamster apartment was sad to be leaving.
12:00 PM: Airport Bound (And the Lingering Aroma of Ramen). The airport bus. Kyoto receded in the distance. I was tired, hungry, a little bit bewildered, and utterly, completely, hopelessly in love with this messy, beautiful city.
And Finally: I went to the airport, bought more snacks, and boarded the plane. I swear, I could still taste the aftertaste of ramen.

And that, my friends, is the truth. Kyoto is a beautiful mess. And I can't wait to go back and make even more mistakes. And I recommend you do the same. Just… maybe learn a little Japanese. And watch out for the bicycles. And the pickles.

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Gion's "Secret" Inn: Honest FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, Secrets Get Out)

Is this place REALLY a "secret"? I mean, I saw it on Instagram...

Okay, okay, the "secret" thing is a LITTLE exaggerated. Let's be honest, if *you* found it, chances are someone else did too. Instagram? Yeah, probably. But that doesn't mean it's overrun by busloads of tourists (thankfully!). It's more like a well-kept *whisper* in the Gion whirlwind. You know, the kind of whisper that’s like, "Go *before* everyone else finds out! And if they do... act like you knew all along."

The fact that I was able to book it *last minute* the week before I went kinda confirms it's not *completely* mainstream. But yeah, expect some other humans. That's life. Unless… you know… you sneak in with a ninja disguise. I'm not judging.

What's the vibe? Romantic? Authentic? Instagram-worthy? Help!

Okay, buckle up, because this is where things start to get… complicated. "Authentic" is thrown around a lot. Yeah, it's authentic-ish. It's defintely not some theme park version of Japan. It *feels* old. And you know what's great? You'll be surrounded by things that actually MEAN something to the people there.

Romantic? Potentially. Depends on who you're with and how much sake you've consumed. My first night? Pure bliss. The paper lanterns, the whispered conversations, the sound of rain on the roof… I literally thought I'd floated into a dream. Then, I stubbed my toe on a low table… and that dream turned into *very* real pain. So yeah, watch your feet. Instagram-worthy? EVERYWHERE. Prepare to take approximately 300 photos. Sorry, not sorry. Especially the damn *breakfast!* OMG.

The rooms: Small? Traditional? Bathtub or no bathtub? Spill the tea!

Okay, confession time: I *love* a good bathtub. Especially after a day of temple-hopping. The bathrooms are… well, they're Japanese. Which means they're usually… compact. Expect a shower, maybe a tiny tub, definitely a high-tech toilet (you know, the ones that practically give you a massage). My room *was* small (as expected), but the details? The tatami mats, the minimalist decor, the view of a tiny, perfect little garden… Pure. Bliss. Just remember, this isn’t the Four Seasons. Embrace the cozy!

One night, I swear, I heard a mouse. Okay, maybe two… Okay, I might have imagined one. But the point is, it’s *real*. And that's the charm! Embrace the quirks.

Breakfast. Is the breakfast good enough to write home about? Because I NEED to write home about breakfast.

WRITE HOME. WRITE A POEM. WRITE A DAMN NOVEL. The breakfast... oh, the breakfast. I am STILL dreaming about it. It was a multi-course, artistic masterpiece in miniature. Perfectly portioned. Beautifully presented. And actually, *delicious*. I'm talking miso soup that tasted like liquid sunshine, perfectly grilled fish, fluffy rice, pickled everything (trust me, it's good), and maybe, just maybe, a little something sweet to finish.

I remember the first bite. I closed my eyes and just… *inhaled*. No exaggeration. Absolutely, positively, *go* for the breakfast. It's worth the price of admission alone. Seriously, I considered just staying there forever and eating that breakfast every single day of my life. I'm already saving up to go back and do just that. I think I might even try to learn to make it myself. Even if I fail miserably, the memory will sustain me.

How accessible is it? I’m not exactly a ninja myself when it comes to getting around.

Gion is *mostly* flat, so that's a bonus. The inn is tucked away, which means you'll probably do a bit of walking (good exercise, right?). Public transportation is your friend here. The subway is super convenient. However, be warned: Google Maps will occasionally try to lead you down alleys that are NOT meant for tourists. So, keep your sense of direction handy. Also, be prepared for cobblestone streets. Cute, but not always ideal for rolling suitcases. Pack light! Or, embrace the struggle… like I did.

I spent a solid hour wandering around in circles on my first day, muttering curses under my breath while battling my suitcase on a particularly uneven street. I eventually asked a local for help (thank god for pointing and smiling!), he probably thought I was insane. It was a *character-building* experience.

What's the service like? Is there English spoken? Should I brush up on my Japanese before I go?

The service is… well, it’s Japanese. Which means it's impeccable, polite, and probably a little bit shy. English is spoken, but don't expect fluent conversations. A little rudimentary Japanese will go a LONG way. I’d say *learn* "hello," "thank you," and "delicious." Because you *will* be saying "delicious" a lot. And "excuse me," because you’ll probably need to ask for directions at some point.

I stumbled through a conversation about the weather using a mix of English and frantic hand gestures. They were so kind, even though I'm pretty sure I was making absolutely no sense. It adds to the charm. Be patient, be respectful, and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. I certainly did!

Okay, so, is it worth the price tag? (Be honest!)

Alright, let's talk money. It's not *cheap*. Let's just put it that way. It’s a splurge, a treat, a “treat yourself” kind of experience. Is it worth it? Okay, here's the raw, unfiltered truth:

Yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt. The memories? Priceless. The breakfast? Still fantasizing. The overall experience? One I'll treasure forever. I saved up for it. I was hesitant at first. Now? I'm already plotting how to go back. Honestly, if you're looking for something truly special, a deep dive into the heart of Gion, something more than just a hotel room… then yes. Do it. Just do it. You won't regret it.

Chicstayst