The elephant in the room with this place is the toilet. You have to go downstairs via a tiny staircase to get to the downstairs area (shared) and then the toilet is right next to the stairs. That by itself isn't a huge deal during the night, but during the day you can't go down those stairs as there's tea pots on them for the tea ceremonies that go on downstairs. So if you're at the place during the day and you need to go to the bathroom, you'll have to go down the main stairs and walk through the other people. It's really awkward. Besides this you do hear everything as the walls and floors are thin. So during the day you hear the tea ceremonies and they will hear you.

Unbelievable location. You're right in the heart of the Higashi Chaya geisha district. Step outside, turn around the corner and you're there. The room itself is huge and there is so much space to kick back and relax. You're also not far from Kanazawa castle and Omicho market. The owner is wonderful and the value for money is great! She helped us reserve nearby restaurants too! The futons are super comfortable and it really feels wonderful waking up in a place like this. It's an experience I would highly recommend.

Stayed in March 2025

It was a beautiful ryokan that has been nicely preserved. It was spacious and comfortable - we were just a couple but would still comfortably fit a family as well. The location was fantastic, right in the middle of the Higashi chaya district and not a long walk back to the train station and Kanazawa castle.

Stayed in January 2025

There is no washing machine but it is expected in such a traditional building, the host kindly recommended a launderette a few minutes walk away that does not require washing tablets and washes and dries your laundry in a total of 40 minutes for very cheap. You have to go through the tea workshop area downstairs to get to the accommodation, so during the day it can feel like you're intruding a bit. But the lady doing the tea ceremony workshop downstairs is lovely.

It felt so incredible to stay in a traditional teahouse of the preserved District, knowing the specific history of the teahouse. The accommodation was very spacious and so beautiful. Staff was super helpful and always assisted quickly when needed, the recommended restaurants were excellent (we tried three different ones, and we had the best food of our trip in Kanazawa). The host kindly helped us book them.

Stayed in November 2024

2 main things to consider when booking this property: 1. The room is located above a tee ceremony workshop and store so there can be some noise from people downstairs in the morning. 2. And probably more critical - the toilet is downstairs, with a very very steep staircase which is pretty uncomfortable, especially if you have to use them in the middle of the night.

It was a great experience staying at a traditional home, the neighborhood is lovely in the geisha district. The host was very nice and welcoming. The room was clean and we had tea making kit and cards that we could play.

Stayed in October 2024

A sweet hotel that is actually an ancient tea house in the geisha quarter in Kanazawa. No need to say more.. it was excellent

Stayed in April 2024

We had a great time staying at this historic place right in the center of Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District. The owner and hosts are super friendly and helpful, speak English, and provide a number of great recommendations for restaurants in the area. The traditional Japanese style room is truly special.

Stayed in March 2024

The most amazing and helpful host, a really beautiful and traditional place to stay! We took part in a tea ceremony in the space downstairs which was great. The host helped us organising everything around our stay and was super welcoming and kind. The top floor had a lot of space and made for a really comfortable stay.

Stayed in February 2024

The property was our favourite in Japan. Thank you for being so kind

Stayed in February 2024

Great spot, the accommodation is comfortable and clean, friendly staff and really get to enjoy the location.

Stayed in January 2024

The place is incredible- beautiful, historic, cozy and large and the woman who runs it it so lovely and helpful.

Stayed in December 2023

There was nothing to complain about! Although, I could see if you had trouble with stairs or were a bit larger of a person, the staiway to the bathroom could be an issue as it was extremely tight and steep.

The host was phenomenal, when we didn't know where to eat she called many different places to check their hours and sent along a ton of reccomendations the next day. She also always greeted us warmly not matter when we left or came back. Not only that, but the location was fantastic, being in the heart of Higashi Chaya district in an old geisha house. A lot of the architeture and items from when it was used by geishas' were still there.

Stayed in September 2023

The host is absolutely lovely, and both the property, as well as the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful. The refrigerator has two bottles of ice cold water stocked every day, and you have the option of buying multiple types of sake directly in your room. I definitely recommend eating at the recommended sushi restaurant, as it was absolutely delicious and very cozy. I wish we booked more days :)

Stayed in September 2023

The host is amazing, super kind.

Stayed in September 2023

A separate entry from the Tea Room below. It felt as if you were intruding when having to pass through the tea room to access the property.

The setup was very traditional. Tatami mats, roll out mattresses, sliding painted panel doors, a low table for tea. There were tea making facilities along with a fridge. The host was very friendly and extremely helpful. We chose to have dinner as part of our booking and we were treated to a traditional six course meal at a local restaurant. There meal was incredible.

Stayed in August 2023

it was charming, authentic. the hist was more than helpful and friendly. we enjoyed everything about our stay. strongly recommend it.

Stayed in August 2023

The house is wonderful, really traditional and beautiful. And it is perfectly located. The Young lady welcoming us has been really nice, welcoming, helping. She made our stay easy and memorable. Thank you so much.

Stayed in August 2023

The tea house was really a step into the past in a historic and cultural neighborhood. Chihori, our host, was a true gentle presence, quietly taking care of us. Thanks!

Stayed in July 2023

Nothing!

Amazing experience to stay in this beautiful old tea house, in the rooms where the geishas once entertained. We saw and used the narrow stairs that they made their scenic entrance by: which must have been quite difficult, in wooden shoes and beautiful but complicated dress and hairstyles! The stairs can be a bit difficult to manage even without it :-) We were exceptionally well taken care of by the young woman who I guess was an apprentice at the tea house, and lived under us but watched over us! When there was an eartquake (!) she immediatly checked if we were OK (which we were). And when I managed to forget my favourite dress :-( she sent it by post package to my daughter who lives in Japan. So caring and nice. And the place is positively beautiful.

Stayed in May 2023

N/A

The property is a beautiful 150 year old tea house set in the Higashi Chaya-gai district. It provided an authentic Ryokan experience and felt like travelling back in time to historic Japan. Chihori is an amazing host, so helpful and speaks good English. She helped me locate the bus to Shirakawago and also made me a reservation at an authentic Japanese restaurant. If you are looking for an authentic Ryokan overnight stay this property is perfect.

Stayed in May 2023

Breakfast is not available, but there are a number of cafes nearby, and we also had a fun self-catered breakfast with soft boiled eggs and rice balls from 7-Eleven.

Our stay at 古都とき Kototoki - 宗友SOYU was a highlight of our trip to Japan. Staying in a 150 year old tea house where geisha used to entertain their guests, sleeping on futon in a beautiful tatami-mat room, drinking tea in the morning illuminated by the soft light diffused through the paper shoji screens, sitting around the cosy kotatsu table in the evening...it's a uniquely Japanese experience that transports you to another time. The host, Chihori, is wonderful and went out of her way to make recommendations in the area, and helped us book a taxi back to the train station. The tea ceremony experience on the ground floor is also not to be missed. Advance booking recommended.

Stayed in April 2023

being 6ft2 wasn’t the best but that’s my fault, and even still the facilities were all usable.

so beautifully clean, and traditional. Really felt like a try Japanese experience. The host was so beautifully considerate, I recommend asking about the tea ceremony, and dance!

Stayed in April 2023

THE TOILET IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND ACCESSIBLE BY A LADDER. FOR A COUPLE LIKE US THIS WASS NOT WHAT WE HAD EXPECTED. IT WAS STATED PRIVATE BATH IN THE LISTING AND THIS TOILET IS SHARED WITH OTHERS.

STAFF AND NEIGHBORHOOD ARE BOTH DELIGHTFUL.

Stayed in November 2023

The only issue you can have is that the rooms are upstairs and the restroom is in the first floor. Stairs are a bit tight.The first floor also doubles as lobby and has a small room that they use for tea classes to tourists. Stores and restaurants close early in this part of town.

It is a lovely small house in the old part of town.It takes you back to another time. I love it! The hostess was very nice and gave great recomendations for lunch and dinner.

Stayed in May 2023

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Stayed in April 2025