Teradaya Inn

What Is Teradaya?

Located in Kyoto’s Fushimi district, Teradaya began as a riverside ryokan serving boat traffic along the Uji River. By the mid-19th century it had become a discreet meeting place for samurai from domains such as Satsuma and Tosa, who were pushing to reshape Japan at the end of the shogunate era.

Today, the inn is a compact but atmospheric museum. Guests walk tatami corridors, climb narrow staircases, and stand in rooms where Sakamoto Ryoma once slept, negotiated alliances, and fought for his life.

Key Moments in Bakumatsu History

The First Teradaya Incident (1862)

In 1862, Teradaya was the scene of a violent clash between factions from the Satsuma domain. Radical samurai gathered here to plan assassinations that would overturn the political order. The plot was discovered and loyalist forces stormed the inn, resulting in a deadly confrontation that shocked Kyoto and signaled how unstable the late Tokugawa regime had become.

The Attack on Sakamoto Ryoma (1866)

A few years later, in 1866, Teradaya became even more famous when agents of the shogunate launched a night raid to kill Sakamoto Ryoma, one of the key architects of the Meiji Restoration. Warned by his future wife as she ran from the bath, Ryoma grabbed his revolver, fought back, and escaped with his bodyguard through the back of the inn.

Inside Teradaya today, visitors can still see traces of this battle: recreated rooms, historic documents, and places where bullets and blades once struck the wooden beams. Although the building was rebuilt after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, the current structure carefully preserves the layout and atmosphere of those dramatic years.

What You’ll Experience at Teradaya

Step Inside a Working-Style Historic Inn

Teradaya is not a large museum; instead, it feels like stepping into a functioning 19th-century inn. Rooms are compact, ceilings are low, and view lines open out to the river. This scale makes it easy for guests to imagine everyday scenes—arriving boats, secret meetings, and hurried escapes in the night.

See Artifacts from Ryoma’s World

Exhibits often include portraits, letters, weapons, and replicas connected to Ryoma and other key figures. Even travelers who are new to Japanese history can appreciate how personal and fragile these episodes of samurai drama really were.

Combine with Fushimi’s Sake District

Teradaya sits within easy walking distance of Fushimi’s sake breweries and canals. Many visitors pair the inn with a visit to historic brands such as Gekkeikan, or a gentle stroll along the waterfront toward Fushimi Inari Taisha and Daigo-ji, creating a day that blends samurai history, temple culture, and local flavors.

Who Will Enjoy Teradaya?

Teradaya is especially rewarding for:

• Travelers interested in samurai and Bakumatsu history
• Fans of Sakamoto Ryoma and Meiji Restoration stories
• Repeat visitors to Kyoto looking beyond the classic temples
• Guests who appreciate small, story-rich museums over large crowds
• Couples and small groups exploring Fushimi’s sake district

Practical Tips for Visiting

Teradaya can be visited in about 45–60 minutes, making it easy to fit into a half-day Fushimi itinerary. The building includes narrow staircases and some uneven floors, so comfortable footwear and a moderate level of mobility are recommended.

For history-focused itineraries, combine Teradaya with other Ryoma-related sites, or with museums in central Kyoto that explore the same Bakumatsu era. Even a short stop here adds depth and narrative to any Kyoto journey.