Fantastic breakfasts. Hosts very friendly and helpful. And of course we loved the cats. Had activities as well for us to do inside on the hot days

Stayed in September 2024

Location is a little further out from downtown Kyoto, but excellent location for early morning hikes out to Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and other local temples.

Beautifully designed property for a comfortable stay in Kyoto. Enjoyed delicious vegan breakfasts and chats with hosts Craig and Helen and other guests each morning.

Stayed in September 2024

Nothing.

Helen and Craig are incredible hosts. Everyday Craig prepared new vegan dishes for breakfast which were absolutely delicious and filling. They gave me great tips of places to visit, and they were absolutely worthy. The place is spacious, clean and quiet. The cats are part of the picture.

Stayed in August 2024

I had a wonderful time! Helen and Craig are fantastic hosts. I particularly enjoyed the delicious breakfasts they prepare, a real energy boost to start the day visiting Kyoto. Also, the atmosphere is very welcoming with the opportunity to chat with them and other guests! One day I decided to leave early to visit some attractions, and as I couldn't be there for breakfast, Craig was kind enough to prepare a delicious wrap for me to take away, which I then enjoyed eating in a park. The room was spotless, also I had never slept on a futon bed before, but I must say it was very comfortable! Access to the centre is easy thanks to a bus which is a few minutes walk from the house. However, I recommend taking the time to explore the neighbourhood on foot. In 30-40 minutes walk you can also reach various temples and attractions. If I return to Kyoto in the future, I will definitely know where to stay! Thanks again, Helen and Craig 😁

Stayed in August 2024

Nothing

Amazing hosts, included traditional Japanese breakfast & facilities are fantastic.

Stayed in August 2024

Next to impossible to find a single flaw. This is literally all I can think of: The main light in the bedroom gives off a cold, white light, and I prefer a warm amber natural light.

Super clean, organized, impeccable style and taste in the design of the space and the furnishings. The hosts were the best of our 3-week trip to Japan. Such cool, warm and friendly people! We’ll be coming back!!

Stayed in July 2024

Quite a walk to the main road to get to the station or a cab. It’s cumbersome if you have big luggages to haul but other than that, the walk in the residential area to Minshuku was therapeutic for us to wind down after a full day of activities.

Immaculate; provided a different experience for us being in a residential area; healthy vegan breakfast every morning; wonderful cat therapy while away from our own pets; excellent hosts from Craig and Helen

Stayed in July 2024

Amazing hosts, delicious breakfast and the whole building is impeccably clean

Stayed in July 2024

I could not possibly begin to summarize just how amazing our choice to stay with Craig and Helen for my wife and I's honeymoon to Japan for our Kyoto leg of the trip was. It is a beautiful, cozy slice of suburban living in the idyllic Higashiyama Ward just outside of the main city. The rooms are quiet, with spacious closets that can easily hold multiple large luggage bags. The AC is incredible, and the futons are very comfortable. We did not have a single bad night of sleep here. The breakfasts were also a highlight of our trip! Craig would probably be a bit anxious of me talking up the food *too* much, but it was truly a welcome part of our mornings. Professionally plated dishes with a cup of tea, coffee, or juice (or all three if it suits you), with an explanation of how it was made, makes you feel like you're getting a bit of a restaurant experience each morning. As others have said, they have multiple, adorable cats that live with them and will be around at times in the common area. This on its own would have been enough for a clear 5* experience, but what followed is what has driven me to ensure everyone knows how good they really are. My wife had a medical emergency on the day before our departure that resulted in an unexpected hospital stay, extending our trip by an unknown amount of time. The support we received by Craig and Helen nearly brought me to tears multiple times, from allowing me to stay with them while she was in the hospital, to giving advice and even providing me with food to take to her, and all-in-all, being a home-away-from-home during this difficult time. I'll never forget the late nights spent talking to Craig over a cup of sake about life in Japan, a movie playing on the TV in the common area, with Zoey (one of their cats that had finally warmed up to me), sitting with us eavesdropping. Or that one night where, without prompting, I was plated some tex-mex they made for dinner as a pick-me-up. You will not regret staying here.

Stayed in June 2024

We loved everything but small things that maybe could be added to improve future stays: A phone number for WhatsApp just so we could communicate with the hosts easier Snacks (pot noodles etc) in the communal area to purchase in case we arrive late Dressing gowns

A safe haven for people who don't eat meat, fish, or dairy, or just anyone looking for something different. The hosts were friendly and we really enjoyed the breakfasts and the facilities. We used Kyoto as a base to explore surrounding areas, and the breakfasts set us up for the day. When we returned it was so nice to have the use of a washing machine after walking so many steps every day. The communal area is very well equipped too with coffee, water, beer etc but could do with some big bottles of water in the fridge to take to your room. The cats were a bonus. We loved our stay! Look no further

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing that the accommodation could’ve changed, however just a note that the location isn’t walkable with a big suit case from the train station. I live in the country at home, thus, don’t have uber, but if you are staying here, setting up uber before you reach Japan is a good idea.

Had a very comfortable stay with Helen and Craig. The breakfast Craig cooks in the morning is restaurant quality, and is fantastic both for being vegan, which I found to be few and far between in Japan, and also because Japan doesn’t really get moving til 10am, so often it was hard to find some where open.

Stayed in June 2024

For some reason we would both wake up with a bit of a scratchy throat each morning - not sure if it was the cats for me (I’m allergic, so it’s my fault for not doing more research and knowing there were cats on the premises), but he thought it could’ve been the Tatami or dust in the room. Not a big deal either way, we had such a great time.

The breakfast was stellar every morning. My friend that I was traveling with is vegan (I am not), and he absolutely loved it - in a place where vegan options are challenging to come by, this was an oasis for him. Helen and Craig are so accommodating and friendly, so we had a great time!

Stayed in May 2024

the only thing we didn't like is that we didn't stay at this ryokan for our entire stay in kyoto....we wish we could have extended our stay but the ryokan was booked up! don't be like us...just stay here forever.

the owners, helen & craig, were extremely kind and welcoming - really enjoyed chatting with them during our stay! we loved how quiet the area was! we slept with our balcony door open and it was the most peaceful sleep we could have gotten. the beds were so comfortable, the breakfasts were so delicious and filling. it felt so nice to know we could eat anything that was prepared for us and we wouldn't have to worry about there being any sneaky fish/bonito ingredients!

Stayed in May 2024

Had the most amazing experience staying here and I can’t wait to come back! Helen and Craig are absolutely lovely and the most friendly and welcoming hosts, giving great recommendations for food and activities. This is the 3rd ryokan I’ve stayed in on my trip and by far the nicest and most comfortable, especially the futon beds - the memory foam pillow was very much appreciated! The place itself is clean, tidy, well equipped and well located with several attractions within walking distance and a well served bus stop 10 mins walk away. The communal social area is a great asset and a lovely space for breakfast, which itself deserves a special mention. Craig is an incredible cook and the effort he puts into both presentation and flavour is incredible, by far the best breakfast food I had in 4 weeks in Japan. Accommodation wise this was the highlight of my trip, thank you so much for being the best hosts!

Stayed in April 2024

The breakfast was excellent, the room was a traditional Japanese decor and very comfortable. Craig and Helen were amazing hosts. Craig was kind enough to help with dinner reservations which was a big plus.

Stayed in May 2024

beautiful place, delicious food and great host!

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing

Everything

Stayed in May 2024

Very clean and comfortable retreat from a surprisingly hectic city. Helen and Craig have built such a nice place with traditional touches and convenience in mind. Bit of a walk in from the main road but happy to experience a residential neighbourhood. Makes all the difference starting the day with restaurant quality Japanese breakfast, and good company from the owners as well as the few other guests. I’d happily stay again if I’m ever back in Kyoto.

Stayed in May 2024

Beautiful property. Spotless. Yummy vegan traditional Japanese breakfast every morning. Craig and Helen were really great hosts, ensuring high quality stay!

Stayed in May 2024

I enjoyed my stay at the Vegan Minshuku Sanbiki Neko. Hosts: Helen and Craig were very good hosts. Attentive and helpful. You can easily tell that they respect and admire Kyoto as well as the vegan lifestyle. Facilities: The room was aesthetically pleasing, spacious and the bed very comfortable. In general, the Minshuku was very clean and in excellent condition. Breakfast: Craig is a great cook. Location: Quiet area, safe and a short walk to main activities and/or transportation. I would stay again if I'm in the area. Highly recommended.

Stayed in May 2024

Scenery

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing loved everything!

The breakfast was incredible, and the rooms have a modern Japanese style that feels cosy, futons were really comfy and we really appreciated having a small balcony in the room too. Staying here was like a little home away from home, and we loved meeting all the cats 🐈 They also have great restaurant recommendations if you’re looking for vegan/veggy options in the city. Craig and Helene are just the nicest people, we would 100% stay here again!

Stayed in April 2024

It's a bit of a walk getting to/from public transportation. Not a big issue for me as I was expecting to walk a lot while there, but something to be aware of.

Both hosts were very friendly and had many great recommendations for sightseeing as well as options for vegan food all over Kyoto. Every breakfast I had while there was delicious, and the room was beautifully decorated, clean, and comfortable. If I go to Kyoto in the future, I'd definitely stay here again.

Stayed in March 2024

Craig and Helen were lovely hosts and keen to help get us settled into Kyoto. They were full of advise and tips on where to visit and eat around town and this was very helpful particularly looking for restaurant that served vegan food. The breakfast they prepared each day was amazing and varied each day. The rooms were spotless and very comfortable each with an ensuite which was not something we'd experience before in a traditional Japanese room.

Stayed in April 2024