Takao Kanko Hotel

We absolutely loved this place. The family and most of the staff that operate it are genuinely warm, helpful and kind people with enough English to make up for our meager Japanese. The location is stunning - alongside a river in a canyon a bit outside Kyoto. Several of us went swimming and splashing in the river and wonderful walks in the wooded lane. Think herons on the river and cicadas in the woods. The building itself stretches along the river and is well maintained and has the feel of a traditional Ryokan, very tasteful and spacious. Our rooms were lovely with a view of the river and very comfortable. The onsens were very nice, even if the tile etc is dated. Both the dinner and breakfast were excellent and plentiful.

This place was so so so special! Please if you can go, make it happen! After a week in Japans amazing cities we wanted to see the countryside and relax and this place was perfect! I read the reviews which were all so positive and enthusiastic- and do good reason! This place is amazing! We arrived and had a lovely traditional room which we really wanted to experience! Every room can see the lovely river right by the hotel and it was instantly sooo peaceful! We reserved dinner in advance for the riverside restaurant. Soooo easy to communicate on bookings to reserve our dinner and get help to get directions. My boyfriend is vegetarian which is not so easy in Japan but they made him his own meal which was delicious. The dinner was absolutely so special! We had so many different plates and the location right on the river was unmatched. The night we visited it was pouring rain so we listened to the rain fall on the river and roof as we ate our amazing meal! As all the reviews say, food and service are 10/10 and really make the stay sooo memorable! We visited on a weekend and quickly realized this was very special. We watched a special show from a. Geisha and Maiko who each came to our table to chat after (as well as all the other tables) and we got to ask questions and learn about what they do! Definitely try to go for this on a Saturday if you can and if they are offering it. Once it was dark they turned out all of the lights for a spectacular show or the nearby fireflies which truly felt like it was from a mover. As soon as it was dark real fireflies were visible over the river and it was so cool! It felt like this place was actually a holiday spot for Japanese people. We befriended a lovely Japanese family from Osaka who sat next to us and had an adorable daughter! We felt that it was something so special for foreign and local tourists a like. Our room was so calm and relaxing after such a great meal!

Despite not eating fish, the breakfast was delicious and they were very kind in providing accommodations for us. They were extremely kind and helpful. Our room and the area were both gorgeous. They offered rides to and from the station nearby, which was incredibly helpful with our luggage. The public baths were amazing after walking around in the heat all day. The nearby shrine was a wonderful experience and the river was so lovely.

Friendly, helpful staff and excellent service. My father has some mobility issues, and do they quickly produced a chair for his room that helped him get up from the futon. The location was great—very rural and the cab driver was sure he had made a wrong turn, but the fall foliage was spectacular and we felt like we were in a mountain village, not just outside Kyoto.

This place really is prettier than the pictures. We were picked up by the kind hotel staff at the bus station, and the short trip down to the hotel was magical. Kiyotaki river is so beautiful, and all the foliage casts a green light over the valley. The hotel with it’s lanterns lit makes it look like a fairytale. The staff is really very friendly and helpful, the service is topnotch. The room was very cozy, with a great view from the window. The surrounding area is very quiet and peaceful with lots of hiking opportunities. The hike to hozukyo was amazing!