A Delicious Japanese Breakfast

This time around, I decided to choose a traditional Japanese Kaiseki Breakfast (not the breakfast bento box!) instead of dinner as I had wanted to go eat at one of my favourite Kyoto restaurants for dinner with a friend, and head to a bar to chill. I was very pleased with the breakfast, exactly what one would expect from an onsen ryokan for their meals; delicious fresh, local, seasonal produce - beautifully present and utterly delicious.

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS

FOOD

I decided against the Breakfast Bento Box which is available to guests of both Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto & Shijo Bettei ( it is a cheaper option) but if I’m having breakfast at an onsen ryokan - I want the full traditional feast! Just like dinner, breakfast was lovely - the presentation, the flavours - its exactly what a Japanese kaiseki feast should be & trust me if I don’t like the food at a place, I will write it!

ONSEN

Having a private open air/semi open-air onsen as part of one’s room is always a highlight and major wishlist of any onsen ryokan I stay at (though of course one can’t do it every time, be far too expensive! plus I also like discovering further flung outdoor rotenburo onsen deep in nature which is often public and at more rustic traditional onsen ryokan).  

Its such a rarity to find onsen ryokan in central Kyoto, so to have one with rooms with private onsen that are wonderfully relaxing and with views of the surrounding landscapes is truly magical. This would be perfect for those who are only visiting Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto and wishing to splurge on an onsen ryokan experience.

ROOM AMBIANCE

The rooms are spacious & larger than that of Sora Niwa Terrace, with a comfortable lounging area, large table and armchairs. Along with a large powder room, there’s the standing shower where one rinses one’s self/showers before enjoying  a soak in the private onsen of the room

The terrace has a small settee with small coffee table so you can relax after soaking or tasting the complimentary treats & drinks available to you in your mini bar fridge.

Guest occupancy is generally 2 - 3 individuals max.

VENUE AMBIANCE

As mentioned in my post about Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto -  the majority of this onsen ryokan hotel’s floors are the rooms and the onsen, the only resting area is on the Rooftop Terrace which is pretty lovely.

SURROUNDING AREA

I love this area of Kyoto, its so accessible to some of my favourite spots in the area, from relaxing on the banks of Kamo River, to strolling through Gion or simple meandering through the Kyoto side streets eating at some of my favourite eateries then hopping on a bus/train (or walking) to see some of my favourite sights of the city.

SHIJO BETTEI KYOTO FACTS (at time of stay)

• COST: starting from ~50,000JPY per person per night (without meals)

• MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner depending on plan

• CHECK IN/CHECK OUT TIME: 1400 / 1100

• PAYMENT: Cash or Credit

• ROOMS: 32 (all with private onsen)

• ENGLISH SPEAKING STAFF: Some

• WEBSITE: SHIJO BETTEI

• IG: @soraniwa.bettei