I was traveling with my mother and originally had reservations at another amazingly reviewed ryokan in Gion. However, my mother balked at the idea of a shared bathroom, so I eventually found the Ryugin and am SO DELIGHTED with our experience there. I wanted the experience of staying at Ryokan with the details of a traditional Japanese inn (the tatami mats, the art, the tiny private gardens), but also wanted modern amenities like a luxurious modern bathroom and wifi.
The Ryugin surpassed all our expectations. First of all, if you're looking for an authentic/historic/picturesque experience, its location can't be beat. It's in one of the oldest parts of Gion, accessible only by foot (but a car drop-off is only a short walk away - less than a block), through lovely stone paved lanes lined with gorgeous traditional homes. It's next to historic pathways, lined by traditional shops and Shrines and tea houses of note. And ninnenzaka/sannenzaka (the picture postcard winding streets chockful of sweet/ceramics/fabric shops leading up to Kiyomizudera shrine), is a short, pretty walk away,
The rooms themselves (you get several - a far cry from the usual small quarters of a ryokan) are beautifully appointed, with art nooks and traditional, but comfortable furnishings. The bathroom is luxurious and modern, but the aesthetic is still in keeping with the rest of the ryokan. I