Matsubaya RyokanvsRakucho
Matsubaya Inn and Rakucho are both rated highly by experts. On balance, Matsubaya Inn scores slightly higher than Rakucho. Matsubaya Inn comes in at 72 with approval from 4 reviewers such as Insight Guides, Lonely Planet and Frommer's.
Matsubaya Ryokan
 Insight Guides
 Fodor's
 Frommer's
 Lonely Planet
Higashinotoin Nishi-iru, Kamijuzuyacho-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8150
From $44/night
- Free Internet
 - Laundry Service
 - Laundy Room
 - Multilingual
 - Air Conditioning
 - Fax / photocopying
 
 "Cosy but highly efficiently run ryokan dating back to the Meiji era. All rooms are Japanese style and the bathing communal." 
 "You won't find kimono-clad attendants here, but you also won't find wallet-emptying rates." Full review
 "Rooms are mostly Japanese style, with the best overlooking the garden. Also good bets are five Western-style rooms on the fifth floor with kitchenettes and tiny balconies." Full review
 Top Choice
 "A short walk from Kyoto Station, this newly renovated ryokan has clean, well-kept rooms and a management that is used to foreign guests." Full review
Rakucho
 Frommer's
455 Nishinotoin-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8327 
From $24/night
- Free Internet
 - Room Service
 - Restaurant
 - Meeting Rooms
 - Air Conditioning
 - Baggage storage
 
 "All but one of the spotless tatami rooms, decorated with such traditional touches as scrolls, have views of a small peaceful garden." Full review