Stay in a 100-Year-Old Kyoto Townhouse | SOWAKA Review | Old Wing 104 & New Wing 212

Kyoto is home to many incredible luxury hotels, but the one that left the deepest impression on me is SOWAKA—a beautifully restored century-old townhouse in the heart of Gion with just 23 guest rooms. During my stay, I experienced two of SOWAKA's most distinctive rooms: Old Wing Room 104 – Maisonette with Tea Ceremony Room and New Wing Room 212 – Garden View. The Old Wing preserves the elegance of traditional Sukiya-style architecture, featuring a duplex layout, an authentic tea ceremony room, and a peaceful Japanese courtyard that makes you feel as if you've stepped into a historic Kyoto residence. In contrast, the New Wing Garden View Room 212 embraces contemporary design, highlighted by a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window overlooking the garden, seamlessly blending modern comfort with Kyoto's timeless beauty. In this video, we'll explore: Why is SOWAKA a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)? What exactly is Sukiya architecture? Old Wing vs. New Wing — which one is worth staying in? The stories behind traditional Japanese design elements such as the tea room, tokonoma (alcove), and shakkei (borrowed scenery). Why is Japanese bathing culture about much more than simply taking a bath? How to book SOWAKA using Hilton Honors points. How to maximize your stay by booking through premium travel credit card programs and taking advantage of annual hotel credits and exclusive benefits. If you enjoy boutique hotels, architecture, luxury travel, or simply discovering a destination through the hotels you stay in, I hope this video inspires your next trip to Kyoto. Don't forget to subscribe to Dazhuang Travel Journal as we explore the world—one hotel at a time. 📍 Hotel: SOWAKA Kyoto 📍 Location: Gion, Kyoto, Japan Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Meet SOWAKA 01:45 The Story Behind the Old Wing 04:40 Old Wing Room 104 – Maisonette with Tea Ceremony Room 11:15 Breakfast 11:58 The New Wing 12:38 New Wing Room 212 – Garden View 13:40 One Minute to Understand SLH, Hilton Points & Premium Credit Card Benefits 15:48 Is SOWAKA Worth It? Hashtags #Kyoto #JapanTravel #SOWAKA #SLH #LuxuryHotel #BoutiqueHotel #HiltonHonors #KyotoHotels #JapanLuxuryTravel #HotelReview