2-Star Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

For a hostel-type experience, it was probably really good, and very reasonably priced. However, as a couple with lots of luggage, we should have just booked a hotel as this was not very comfortable to stay in, in our personal experience. The room was an okay size, if you are a solo traveller, or travelling light, this will likely not be an issue. However, with 2 people and 2+ bags, it becomes cramped, and a bit like a game of tetris to move the table and your luggage to fit the futon beds on the floor. There is also no elevator (which we should have checked beforehand) but it took us a few trips to get our bags up to the 4th floor (the reception is on the 2nd floor, as you have to walk up some stairs from the street level, 1st floor, to get to the entrance) - I will give the owner credit here though, he helped us bring our bags upstairs when we arrived. Unfortunately, the room did not feel clean, the provided towels felt like blankets (70% polyester) compared to the hand towel which felt like an actual towel (100% cotton) - we ended up buying a cheap towel from one of the convenience stores down the road - and there was only the overhead light (which, although you could dim and change the warmth, it wasn't great in the evenings). The futon sheets did not feel super clean in our opinion, and AC is centrally operated, I think there was a note that said we could mention if the temperature was too hot/cold, but we always returned to the room after the owner had left the reception for the evening (after 9pm), so we just put up with it. Finally, my umbrella got stolen after a rainy day. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't a big deal as I'd just bought it for cheap, and it was a shared space so was a risk to leave it, but it was annoying, even if it was taken by mistake - I didn't want to take a wet umbrella up into the room. The communal areas (kitchen, lounge area, shower and washing machine areas) were okay but I believe they were only cleaned at the start of the week, then left to people using the facilities to tidy up after themselves (which isn't always successful). There was a bag for composting things like tea bags etc, I think, in the corner of the sink which then decomposed as the week went on, which wasn't ideal. There were only 2 showers for the entire guesthouse (at least 4 rooms per floor - I think there were 3 floors for guests - not sure though), and were average. Body soap and shampoo is provided, the shower pressue and temperature control was good but the overall cleanliness wasn't great. You can imagine the state of the floors if multiple people with long hair are brushing/drying there hair in these rooms - definitely wear slippers when navigating that space. Now, I don't know how the owner could improve this as it's really down to who is staying at any one time - we might have gotten unlucky/being too precious. Suggestions for things that would have improved our stay: (1) A small lamp to use in the evenings instead of the overhead light (2) Better quality towels (3) A fan to plug in, to circulate the air, if individual room AC/leaving the window open is not possible (4) Air freshener spray (or equivalent) (5) Multi purpose spray & wipes for the shared slippers I will say that the price was really unbeatable, the owner supports great causes, and the location is fantastic for easy access to many popular Kyoto spots (mostly temples), and was only a 20-min walk across the river to Kyoto Station, with an even shorter walk to several others. If you are on a budget and travelling solo/lightly, I think this place is better than the average capsule hotel or hostel options, as you do get a private room instead of just a bunk bed. But if you have luggage, aren't able to use stairs, or have the means to (and want to) book an actual hotel, I would suggest doing that, as you get what you pay for.

The location is very good, just a few minutes walk from the subway station, but there are not many food options near the hotel, only convenience stores, and the hotel does not have an elevator. Guests with large luggage need to pay attention, because they need to carry their luggage upstairs by themselves

My Kyoto trip was particularly satisfying with this Kyoto townhouse. It had a garden, a private hot spring bath, and was brimming with Japanese charm. The breakfasts were especially delightful, with a wide variety and different dishes each day. After breakfast, there was also a traditional Kyoto matcha and carefully selected sweets; the owner even patiently explained the proper way to drink the matcha. It's a bit far from the subway, but there are several bus stops nearby, making it quite convenient. Strolling along Kyoto's charming streets and discovering hidden gems of little shops was also a delightful experience.

This hotel was the full package, the staff were lovely, rooms where really nice and good location

Extremely clean, both the beds and the bathroom areas were spotless. The facilities are new. It's an all-female dormitory, so it's relatively quiet; no one comes and goes late at night. The environment is very elegant, and there's a reading area and a pantry on the second floor, perfect for sitting down with a book and a coffee. The price is absolutely perfect. It's about a six to seven-minute walk from the subway.

This was such a good place to rest and relax. I did make a friend here but the hostel is more for relaxing and having your privacy. The mattress is freaking amazing. I never wanted to leave the bed. It can fit two people and it’s soooo soft and comfortable I loved sleeping there.

Very comfortable, spacious room, a sofa, a large clothes, washing machine, shampoo, clothes towels, clothes, hair dryer, ready to go to many The day is recommended here, not far from the train station, there are many restaurants, very close to the safety of the bottom, a little narrow, a very large soup, there are many restaurants, a little narrow, the cover is a little narrow.

I stayed for two nights at Hashidate Bay Hotel and was initially hesitant to book, thinking it might be too far from Amanohashidate Station. The nearest bus stop is about a 5–8 minute walk, and buses run only once an hour. But based on the reviews, it looked promising—and I’m so glad I went ahead with the booking. To my surprise, I was upgraded to a much larger room, almost like a four-person suite. It was huge, and the view of Yoshino from my window was absolutely stunning. I was super happy with the stay—this upgrade felt like a real treat. They even provided bath lavender, which I thought was just for the first night, but they refilled it the next day. Since I arrived early, I left my luggage at the hotel before heading out to explore Amanohashidate. When I checked in later that night, I was pleasantly surprised to find my luggage already placed in my room. That was a big plus—so comforting after a full day of walking. I wish I’d told them I was arriving early—the locker at Amanohashidate Station was too small for my luggage. I ended up taking a taxi, which could’ve been free if I’d arranged a pickup with the hotel in advance. The breakfast was good too—my favorite was the prawn tempura. And the lady who dropped me off at the station was soft-spoken and very pretty. Overall, a memorable and comfortable stay.

Overall, my experience was excellent. The location is super convenient for getting around. The room was clean and tidy, and the bedding was so comfortable I slept soundly. The bathroom facilities were complete, and the hot water supply was stable. The staff were warm, attentive, and friendly. The breakfast offered a wide variety of choices and tasted good. It's great value for money, and I felt comfortable throughout my stay. I'll definitely choose this place again next time and highly recommend it to everyone!

This was our second time staying at this hotel, and we came back when we returned to Kyoto. During our two stays, we stayed in a few different types of rooms, and overall we had a very good experience. The private rooms were pleasant, clean, and comfortable. The rooms are not huge, and you should not expect an amazing city view, but everything was practical, well maintained, and easy to use. The location is very convenient, especially if you want to stay in a central tourist area. There are also two useful supermarkets nearby, as well as a FamilyMart very close to the hotel, which makes things even easier. Another thing we really liked was the shared area and kitchen on the 4th floor. We cooked spaghetti there one evening, and it was a really nice place to sit, eat, and talk with other travelers. Overall, it is a clean, comfortable, and convenient hotel with a nice atmosphere. We were happy to come back for a second stay.