Sumiya Kihoan

Located in Yunohana Onsen in Kameoka, Kyoto, Sumiya Kihoan is a long-established ryokan quietly tucked away beyond a thatched-roof gate. Guests can enjoy the inn’s renowned hot springs in a variety of baths, including a women’s open-air bath crafted from a 1,000-year-old cherry tree trunk, a men’s open-air bath paved with blue stone from Shikoku, as well as indoor baths and private open-air baths nestled among the trees.

The ryokan offers 25 guest rooms that feel as if they are embraced by the surrounding mountains. Designed in a calming Japanese style with modern touches, the rooms provide a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Guests can choose between futon or bed-style rooms, with options that include private open-air baths with free-flowing hot spring water, wooden decks, or even stone saunas-each room with its own unique character. Particularly noteworthy is the art room Kofu, created with the participation of artists and craftspeople from the Kyoto-Tamba area, where contemporary art elements are woven throughout the space.

Dining is enjoyed in a restaurant featuring an okudosan (traditional Japanese hearth), evoking the warmth of an old-fashioned kitchen. Here, guests can savor monthly changing kaiseki meals that highlight seasonal ingredients from Kyoto. Special plans featuring carefully selected delicacies such as ayu sweetfish, pike conger, and Kameoka beef are also available. Pairing these dishes with Austrian wines from one of Japan’s finest collections is highly recommended for an elevated dining experience.