[Short Stay] Stay at a Former Imperial Villa in Kyoto with a Private Guided Tour

Stay in a Former Imperial Villa Amidst the Picturesque Northern Hills of Kyoto

As the home to Japanese emperors for over a thousand years (794-1868), Kyoto has remained a special place to members of the country’s Imperial Family. In 1932, a villa was built in the northern hills of the city as a Kyoto residence for the emperor’s brother-in-law. In 1948, the villa was converted into a luxury ryokan called Yoshida Sanso, attracting guests with its stately garden and fascinating blend of Western and traditional Japanese architecture and decor.

The main building of Yoshida Sanso is a particularly striking example of traditional Japanese architecture

When you first arrive at Yoshida Sanso, take a moment to stand in front of the main building to admire the beauty of its construction. Built from hinoki (Japanese cypress), the building displays many features of traditional Japanese architecture and its legacy is preserved in roof tiles emblazoned with the Imperial Family’s chrysanthemum crest. Along with the property’s front gate and former garage (which now houses the stylish Cafe Shinkokan), the main building of Yoshida Sanso has been officially designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

The property’s legacy can be glimpsed on roof tiles emblazoned with the Imperial Family’s chrysanthemum crest

Explore the Property’s Traditional Buildings and Japanese Garden with a Private Guided Tour Led by the Okami (Proprietress)

To provide guests with fascinating insights into the history and architecture of Yoshida Sanso, Wabunka has arranged a special tour of the main building and garden led by okami Tomoko Nakamura. As well as large external features such as the traditional karamon gate and roof made from hinoki (Japanese cypress), the interior of the main building contains large windows, antique furniture, and an unusual stained glass artwork said to represent an ancient Japanese bronze mirror.

The interior of the ryokan is an intriguing mix of Western and Japanese decor

Heading outside, breathe the fresh air as you gaze out across the elegant Japanese garden towards the hills of Higashiyama. The garden at Yoshida Sanso is spectacular in any season, with weeping cherry blossoms in the springtime and autumn colors in the fall, as well as pine trees, rhododendrons, and azaleas. As you stroll through the garden, listen closely for the calls of bush warblers and warbling white-eyes. With a keen eye, you might even spot one or two of these little feathered beauties as they flitter in and out of the trees. 

Enjoy illuminating conversations with the okami as she guides you through the property

During your tour, you will also be provided with a free welcome drink. As you sip your beverage, be sure to ask the okami any questions that come to mind. This special place has many stories to tell, gathered from the many people who have spent time here over the course of nearly a century.

Relax in Your Own Detached Suite, Built in Traditional Sukiya Style

During your time at Yoshida Sanso, you will be staying in the Hanare detached suite. This exclusive suite was built in the traditional sukiya style of Japanese architecture, a style characterized by tea house aesthetics and the abundant use of wood in construction. Hanare was constructed using Kitayama cedar, a highly prized variety of wood from the nearby northern hills of Kyoto. 

Characterized by traditional Japanese aesthetics, your Hanare suite

Hanare includes a bedroom, small kitchen, and living room. The interior is characterized by Japanese aesthetics, with tatami mat floors and sliding doors that open out onto gorgeous views of surrounding hills, temples, and forests. The private bathroom features wooden walls and a wooden bathtub made of Kitayama cedar. You can relax in this bath amidst the refreshing scent of warm cedar wood.

Savor Sumptuous Meals in a Private Dining Room

Meals at Yoshida Sanso are a private affair, held on the first floor of the main building with each group provided with their own exclusive dining room. The emphasis is on fresh seasonal ingredients, with each dish carefully crafted to taste just right. Breakfast is included with your stay at Yoshida Sanso. You can choose either a Japanese-style or Western-style breakfast.

Each dish at Yoshida Sanso is carefully crafted to balance flavor, color, and texture (image is for reference only)

If you wish to have dinner at Yoshida Sanso, this can be arranged for you as an additional option (additional fees apply). For dinner, the ryokan provides meals in the traditional Kyoto kaiseki style, with multiple courses of many small dishes designed for the perfect balance of flavor, color, and texture. Please inform us at least one day in advance if you would like to have dinner at Yoshida Sanso.

A seasonal course dish at Yoshida Sanso, prepared with fresh ingredients to reflect the essence of Japanese culinary tradition (image is for reference only)

Apart from breakfast and dinner, a gourmet lunch is also served daily at Yoshida Sanso. If you are just looking for a snack, a tea, or a coffee, the on-site Cafe Shinkokan has everything you need. Housed in the former garage of the residence, this cafe has a refined yet relaxing feel to it with pleasant views of the garden as it changes through the seasons.

Cafe Shinkokan offers pleasant views of the garden as it changes through the seasons

Experience Refined Japanese Hospitality with a Personal Touch in this Historic Ryokan 

As well as managing the daily affairs of the ryokan, okami Tomoko Nakamura strives to ensure that every guest at Yoshida Sanso experiences refined Japanese hospitality with a personal touch. She will be happy to take you on a tour of the ryokan and its garden, sharing stories and pointing out details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Okami Tomoko Nakamura wants every guest to experience refined Japanese hospitality with a personal touch

This warm welcome can be felt throughout your experience at Yoshida Sanso, from the lovingly prepared meals to the stylish interior of the cafe to the timeless beauty of the buildings themselves. Once a villa where members of the Imperial Family came to gather and relax, Yoshida Sanso remains a refuge from the rigors of modern life and a reminder to take time to appreciate the world around us.