Overview

Find a quiet retreat surrounded by nature at Nenrinbo, a ryokan located in the northern hills of Kyoto. You’ll stay just beyond the city’s bustle, where fresh mountain air and centuries of tradition create a peaceful atmosphere. Nenrinbo blends art, nature, and history to offer a unique escape. The ryokan sits in what was once an artists’ village during the Tokugawa Shogunate, and it honors this past with beautiful displays of calligraphy, ceramics, and Japanese paintings throughout the building.

Step inside, and you’ll feel the spirit of Japanese hospitality, along with a design that reflects nature’s seasonal beauty. From the entrance to the lobby, the ryokan invites you to slow down and experience Kyoto’s quieter side.

Accommodation

Nenrinbo offers 42 traditional Japanese rooms, each with tatami flooring and a private bath. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, the ryokan can adjust your room size to suit your needs. Rooms are simple yet comfortable, giving you a relaxing space to unwind. After checking in, slip on your yukata, enjoy a cup of green tea, and take in the view of the surrounding mountains.

Each room includes essentials like air conditioning, a TV, refrigerator, safety box, washlet toilet, electric pot, hair dryer, slippers, and all your bathing and grooming necessities. Housekeeping services keep the rooms clean and fresh every day. While the building preserves its traditional structure, you’ll find each room well cared for and thoughtfully arranged.

Dining

Nenrinbo serves Kyoto-style kaiseki—an artistic full-course Japanese meal that follows the rhythm of the seasons. If you stay for dinner, you can request sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or the ryokan’s original Kinkaku nabe. These hot pot meals include carefully selected meats, vegetables, rice, pickles, and dessert. Sashimi rounds out each dinner course.

For breakfast, you can enjoy a classic Japanese set with grilled fish, tofu, rice, miso soup, and pickles. Meals for children are available in two styles. One follows the adult menu in smaller portions. The other includes western-style favorites like hamburger steak and fried shrimp with rice and fruit.

Let the ryokan know about food allergies or dietary preferences at least five days before your stay. If you want to add extra meals, contact them two days in advance. The dining room closes at 9:00 p.m. for dinner and 9:30 a.m. for breakfast. If you arrive after 8:00 p.m., dinner service may not be available, so plan your arrival accordingly.

Onsen and Wellness

You can enjoy large communal baths with sweeping mountain views. One men’s bath and one women’s bath open in rotation, so you’ll always find space to relax. The baths are open from 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the evening and from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the morning. As you soak in the hot water, you can gaze out at the forested hills, listening to the sounds of nature.

From July 12 to August 31, you can also use the open-air swimming pool. It’s open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers a cool escape from Kyoto’s summer heat.

Guests with Tattoos

Tattoos are not allowed in the public baths.

Facilities

Nenrinbo gives you everything you need for a relaxing and worry-free stay:

• Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
• Private bath in every room
• Coin laundry for extended stays
• Safety box in each room
• Wake-up call service
• Daily housekeeping
• Air conditioning and refrigerator in all rooms

In keeping with the ryokan’s roots, the hallways and public areas feature artwork by well-known Japanese artists. Staying at Nenrinbo feels like visiting a private gallery, where each corner reveals a new painting or piece of pottery. The banquet halls—named SANPOU, KINKAKU, TUKI, and GINKAKU—are also available for events and larger gatherings.

Activities

You’ll stay near four historic temples: Genkouan, Jyoshoji, Kouetsuji, and Ginshouji. Each one offers a different glimpse into Kyoto’s spiritual and artistic heritage. The area, once known as Takagamine, was home to painters and scholars during the Edo period. You can also walk to the famous Kinkakuji Temple—the Golden Pavilion—in about 30 minutes. A taxi takes about 10 minutes.

If you’re traveling during summer, you can cool off in the ryokan’s outdoor pool while enjoying views of the forested hills. During the cooler seasons, a quiet stroll through the gardens offers moments of reflection and calm.

Additional Features

• Free luggage storage before check-in and after check-out
• Artistic decor throughout the building
• Easy access to Kyoto Station via subway and bus
• Dining reservations and allergy information required in advance
• Seasonal meals and hot pot courses available for longer stays

Access

To reach Nenrinbo, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station. From there, you can ride Bus No. Kita 1, headed for Gentaku. Get off at “Takagamine Genkoan-mae” and walk five minutes to the ryokan. If you’re in a hurry or carrying heavy luggage, take a taxi from Kitaoji Station. Show the driver a map or simply mention “Nenrinbo.”

You can also use luggage delivery services from Kyoto Station. Two carry services are available—one from the Shinkansen Hachijo Entrance and another from the JR Central Entrance B1 floor.