The ryokan was situated in one of Kyoto’s many quaint side streets about two blocks from Shiyakusho-mae subway station on the Tozai subway line. The map that was available on the Internet was accurate and led us straight to the ryokan.
Upon arrival, the reception staff were warm and friendly, and told us all we needed to know about the ryokan. We were shown to our room by a very polite Japanese lady who was dressed in kimono adding just a little bit more to the authentic Japanese experience.
When we entered our room we were shown where we could find our yukata and slippers, more blankets and pillows, the supply of complimentary Japanese tea and also how to operate the air conditioning.
The size of our room was some what outstanding. The room comprised in total of twenty tatami mats which could be divided into two rooms of ten by screens. The cleanliness of the room was excellent and was equipped with two TVs, a fridge, tea making facilities, telephone, and private bathroom with the essential toiletries provided.
In the ryokan was also an onsen style public bath, although this was only open certain times of the day.
The location of the ryokan was superb as it was only about a 20 minute walk from the Gion district and other central nightlife, although both of these could be reached quicker via the subway. The curfew is midnight, and this would be problematic if you were planning on spending a night on the town, although after a hectic day of sightseeing the futon was calling around this time anyway.
Overall, this was a superb choice of accommodation. I would definitely stay here on future occasions. It was the epitome of Japanese culture and experience.

This was the only ryokan I could find with room in Kyoto at the end of July. I was very suspicious of it as it had an advert on google. However although the ryokan room was lacking in character and rather dull, it was a decent size. The communal bathrooms were fine, and mostly empty. Free internet was provided. The ryokan hotel was well located in central Kyoto near an excellent set of restaurants including a very good French one with an English menu. The owners were very friendly and allowed us to practice our Japanese

The hotel staff is nice and the hotel is in a central location however, the rooms were not in very good shape. The bathroom smelled strongly of chemical cleaning agents and was incredibly tiny. I'm 5'6" and 120 lbs and I had a lot of difficulty moving around in the shower and sink area. Our entire room reminded me of an inside cabin of a cruise ship. Although the lobby area looks nice, the elevator is old and the hallway needs new carpeting and paint. We paid $100+ USD per person so that turned out to over $200 a night --way over priced for what we got. Unfortunately we were in Kyoto over the Japanese Thanksgiving weekend so this was our only option. Wouldn't recommend.

Hotel Nishiyama provided great access to the heart of Kyoto for my wife & I while on vacation early April 2005. We stayed in a Japanese style room with comfortable and warm bedding.

The hotel includes a bath for men and women in the basement. Each bath looks out to water cascading down from the gardens on main level. This was the Kyoto of days past, stirring the guest to slow down and rejuvenate in the hot water.

Kyoto of the future can be found atop the hotel where a washer/dryer is available for use by hotel patrons, which is just barely kept out of the rain by a slight overhang. Views of the surrounding buildings with misc electronics reminded me I'm in Japan in the 21st century.

Walking to the Gion District takes probably 20+ minutes, but is entertaining as you can travel along the Kamo River, or some of the shopping/resturant lined streets that parallel the river. The hotel is no more than 5 minutes from the subway station at the City Office (Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station). The costs seemed high for the hotel though at 37,800 Yen for 2 nights, even with the free laundry - but we were also paying for a good location. Internet service is free in the lobby with 2 computers for use.