A restaurant near Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, which was established in 1912 and known as "Minosachi", was at risk of being sold and turned into a condominium. However, thanks to various efforts from different people, the building will be preserved and renovated into a traditional inn. The traditional Japanese architecture, which was said to have been completed with advice from a tea master, exudes a sense of Japanese aesthetics throughout the property. I was guided through the garden and inside the building with great care. The room favored by Junichiro Tanizaki is still preserved. I then stayed at the luxury small hotel "Sowaka", which consists of a renovated main building in the traditional sukiya style and a modern new building. While I used to prefer modern hotels from foreign countries, I have recently been drawn to traditional Japanese architecture like the sukiya style. Although I couldn't stay in the desired room in the main building, I opted for a room with an outdoor bath in the new building. While dreaming of reading "In Praise of Shadows" in the outdoor bath, I was a bit disappointed to find a modern tub instead. I had a traditional Japanese breakfast at the sister restaurant "La Bonbans Gion" located in Hiroo. The breakfast is only available for hotel guests and is included in the room rate. The restaurant and the hotel are connected, allowing guests to enjoy breakfast without leaving the premises. I opted for the Japanese breakfast, which consisted of a three-tiered bento box with freshly cooked rice in a clay pot, topped with flavorful bonito broth that could also be turned into ochazuke. The Western breakfast included freshly squeezed juice, warm toast, salad, a sunny-side-up egg, and organic granola. The hotel amenities included cosmetics from the Kyoto-based brand "Kazurasei" and beds from the luxury bedding brand "Iwata" in Kyoto. The chairs in the restaurant were from Fritz Hansen, adding to the overall charm of the place. It was a truly captivating experience. Thank you for the wonderful meal. ❤️

I was born and raised in Kyoto, so places like "Minokichi" and "Minokou" were fancy Kyoto cuisine restaurants that I rarely got to visit as a child. While "Minokichi" still exists, "Minokou" in Yasaka has closed down, and a luxurious hotel has opened in its place. "Luxury hotel SOWAKA" is a high-end hotel that is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, opened in 2019. It is located right by the south gate of Yasaka Shrine, making it convenient for visiting attractions like Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji Temple. The hotel has a prime location, surrounded by famous restaurants and teahouses, making it a great base for food lovers. The hotel consists of a renovated main building, which used to be the historic "Minokou," and a modern annex with a total of 23 rooms. The staff at the hotel are incredibly kind and accommodating, even allowing early check-in and providing detailed explanations about the hotel. The lounge features a well with a lid made of bamboo, which was used to draw water in the kitchen during the time of "Minokou." The hotel rooms vary in size and facilities, with our Deluxe Semi-Double Twin room on the second floor of the main building offering a comfortable stay with a mix of traditional and modern elements. The service at the hotel is top-notch, befitting its Small Luxury Hotels of the World membership. Dining at the hotel is at the adjacent "La Bonne Chance," a branch of the original restaurant in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo. The breakfast we had was delicious and well-thought-out, reflecting the high standards of the management, who also run the renowned Gion Hatanaka ryokan nearby. "SOWAKA" means "May you be happy" in Sanskrit, fitting for this auspicious hotel.

I suddenly had to go to Kyoto. Located a little further from the southern gate of Yasaka Shrine, passing through Yasaka Shrine and within walking distance to Gion. It has an excellent location. It is a hotel that has been renovated from an old ryokan, keeping the old atmosphere while being renovated. It is smoker-friendly, and you can smoke in the nice atmosphere of the inner courtyard. The quality and quantity of breakfast were good, and I was able to relax.

Second floor suite room of the inn, like an art museum.

This time, we stayed at "Sowaka," which is located very close to Yasaka Shrine, so I will share their breakfast! Of course, it was Japanese cuisine! The hotel is run by "La Bombance Gion," known for their Japanese cuisine, so our expectations were high! First of all, this hotel had a great atmosphere, service, and comfort - we really enjoyed our stay! The room even had a private outdoor bath! The building was renovated from a traditional long-established restaurant, creating a luxurious space with a lot of character. For breakfast, we enjoyed a meal cooked in a clay pot and other carefully prepared dishes that were not pre-made. It was a truly elegant way to start the day! The seasoning was just right, not too bland or too strong. We had a leisurely time enjoying the delicious breakfast. Thank you for the wonderful meal!