7 Best Ryokans in Kyoto for Autumn 2025: Garden Views, Onsen & Kaiseki

If you’re visiting Kyoto in autumn, staying at a ryokan can make the trip feel even more special. These traditional Japanese inns offer more than just a place to sleep — many are designed to highlight the beauty of the season.

From garden-facing rooms where you can admire the red maple leaves, to seasonal menus that feature autumn ingredients like matsutake mushrooms and sweet potato, these ryokans are especially atmospheric in the fall. Some also have open-air onsen where you can soak while surrounded by autumn colours, which is a quiet luxury as the weather cools.

In this list, we’ve rounded up some of the best ryokans in Kyoto to stay at during autumn, whether you’re looking for scenic views, seasonal cuisine, or a peaceful base for exploring Kyoto’s famous fall foliage spots.

Also read: 10 Free Things to Do in Kyoto for Singaporeans on a Budget

1. Kyoto Nanzenji Garden Ryokan Yachiyo

📍 Near Nanzen-ji Temple, Higashiyama

This ryokan is practically made for autumn. Located beside Nanzen-ji Temple (one of Kyoto’s most iconic koyo (autumn foliage) spots), Kyoto Nanzenji Garden Ryokan Yachiyo sits in the heart of a traditional district known for its tranquil gardens and temple walks. Inside, the ryokan offers modern-meets-classic Japanese rooms, with tatami mats, private garden views, and optional en-suite open-air baths or saunas.

What makes this place shine in autumn is the way it lets you experience the season up close. The ryokan is surrounded by landscaped gardens that burst into colour during November, and the open-air dining terrace is the perfect place to enjoy seasonal dishes while watching the leaves fall. Their Kyoto-style kaiseki meals incorporate autumn ingredients like persimmon and mushrooms, and after dinner, guests can wind down in onsen-style baths.

For a peaceful, scenic stay that puts you right at the centre of Kyoto’s autumn charm, this ryokan is a top pick.

Price: From ¥132,000 (~S$1,174)/night

2. Fufu Kyoto

📍 Near Lake Biwa Canal

Blending quiet luxury with natural beauty, Fufu Kyoto offers a refined ryokan stay just minutes from the serene Lake Biwa Canal. This newer property takes a modern approach to the traditional inn, with spacious rooms that feature elegant wood accents, soft lighting, and private hinoki cypress bathtubs. It’s a peaceful hideaway, perfect for travellers seeking both comfort and atmosphere.

In autumn, the surrounding trees turn golden and red, reflecting off the water and lending the whole property a warm, glowing feel. The ryokan’s garden paths become especially scenic, and guests can sip drinks in the detached bar house while taking in the crisp evening air. Cultural workshops like ikebana (flower arranging) and guided walks are also offered, helping guests slow down and savour the season.

If you want the calm of a traditional ryokan with the polish of a boutique hotel, Fufu Kyoto strikes a perfect balance, and feels particularly magical in autumn.

Price: From ¥91,300 (~S$812.30)/night

3. Japanese Hotel Momijiya Bekkan Kawa no Iori

📍 Northwest of central Kyoto

As the name “Momijiya” suggests (momiji means maple in Japanese), this riverside ryokan is famous for its autumn scenery. Momijiya Bekkan Kawa no Iori offers a classic ryokan experience with rooms that open onto views of the surrounding forest and river. The architecture is beautifully traditional, with wooden verandas, sliding doors, and tatami flooring that add to the sense of calm.

During the autumn months, guests can dine outdoors on a raised platform over the river, surrounded by brilliant red and gold leaves. The ryokan also hosts seasonal performances by maiko (apprentice geisha), making the experience feel uniquely tied to Kyoto’s culture. In-room kaiseki meals and relaxing baths round out the stay.

If you’re looking for a ryokan that truly celebrates the beauty of Kyoto’s autumn season, this one doesn’t just offer a view; it puts you in the middle of it.

Also read: Where to Buy the Best Matcha in Kyoto (A Matcha Lover’s Guide)

Price: From ¥56,290 (~S$500.80)/night

4. Syoenso Hozugawatei

📍 Kameoka

Located in Kameoka, a quieter town just outside Kyoto City, Syoenso Hozugawatei is ideal for those who want an autumn escape that feels grounded and rejuvenating. The ryokan sits near the Hozugawa River and is surrounded by trees that shift with the season. This makes for a lovely backdrop whether you’re soaking in the open-air bath or gazing out from your room’s window.

Guests can choose from a variety of room styles, from modern Japanese-Western blends to traditional tatami layouts. On-site amenities include large communal baths, a relaxing spa, and even karaoke rooms for winding down after a day out. But the highlight for many is the kaiseki dinner, which features regional ingredients like tofu, river fish, and local vegetables, often plated with autumnal flair.

It’s a charming, unpretentious spot where the natural surroundings take centre stage, especially when the leaves start to turn.

Price: From ¥56,600 (~S$467.97)/night

5. Kyoto Gion Ryori Ryokan Karaku

📍 Gion District

For those who want to be surrounded by Kyoto’s historic heart, without sacrificing comfort, Kyoto Gion Ryori Ryokan Karaku delivers. Located in the Gion district, within walking distance from temples like Kodaiji and autumn hotspots like Maruyama Park. This ryokan blends a central location with thoughtful design and personalised hospitality.

Rooms come with tatami flooring and traditional decor, with some offering garden or city views. The ryokan’s highlight is its kaiseki-style dining, which features a rotating menu of seasonal dishes and even special desserts like parfaits. In autumn, the Gion streets become quieter and more golden, making your strolls to and from the ryokan feel cinematic. After a day of exploring, guests can unwind in the garden-view bar or the cosy reading lounge stocked with books on Kyoto culture.

If you’re looking for a classic ryokan stay in a convenient, culturally rich location, this one’s a solid pick for fall.

Price: From ¥75,420 (~S$671)/night

Also read: Kyoto Nightlife Guide: 7 Things to Do in Kyoto at Night for Singaporean Travellers

6. Seikoro Ryokan 

📍 Gion area, 7 mins from Kyoto Station

Seikoro Ryokan brings over 190 years of hospitality to the table, and it shows. With its historic architecture, lacquered wood interiors, and meticulous service, this ryokan feels like stepping into another era. Each room is furnished in a traditional style, and many come with private baths and seasonal decor touches.

In autumn, Seikoro becomes especially atmospheric. The walkable area nearby includes riverside foliage spots and historic temples, and the ryokan itself often decorates its shared spaces with ikebana arrangements that reflect the season. Guests can enjoy communal baths, in-room dining, and quiet evenings wrapped in yukata. Reviews frequently praise the warm, attentive staff who go out of their way to make each stay personal.

If your ideal autumn involves old Kyoto charm, history, and a slower rhythm, Seikoro offers all of that with remarkable polish.

Price: From ¥60,000 (~S$533.81)/night

7. Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

📍 Shimogyo Ward, by a small river

Tucked along a narrow river in a quieter part of central Kyoto, Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei offers a ryokan experience that’s simple, elegant, and deeply calming. Each room is outfitted with soundproofing, clean-lined furniture, and a hinoki bath that fills the space with a gentle woody scent. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the river and surrounding foliage, which is a highlight in autumn when the trees turn red and gold.

Though it’s a 15–20 minute walk from busier parts of town, that distance adds to its charm. You get a pocket of quiet away from tourist crowds, ideal for slow mornings and restful evenings. The warm, attentive staff add to the sense of care, often surprising guests with small seasonal gifts and gestures.

If you’re the kind of traveller who values stillness and detail, this minimalist riverside ryokan is a lovely choice for Kyoto’s autumn season.

Price: From ¥24,750 (~S$220.20)/night

Also read: A Guide to Goshuin Collecting in Japan: The Quiet Art of Shrine Stamps

Final thoughts

Autumn in Kyoto brings about a certain mood. The air turns crisp, the crowds soften, and the city’s temples, riversides, and gardens take on a glow that feels almost unreal. Staying at a ryokan during this time lets you experience that beauty without rushing through it. Whether you’re sipping tea on a veranda as the leaves fall, or slipping into a hot bath after a long temple walk, these stays offer the kind of quiet luxury that makes the season linger just a little longer.

Each ryokan on this list brings something different to the table, from heritage-rich inns with over a century of history to modern retreats tucked by the river. Whichever you choose, you’ll be stepping into a slower rhythm of travel, one that’s attuned to the season around you.

So if you’re planning a trip to Kyoto this autumn, consider staying at a ryokan. You might find that the memory of your stay lingers long after the colours fade.