Find Hostels in Kyoto, Japan

The Lower East Nine Hostel is located next to Kujo Station on the subway network. Kyoto station is next stop but it is more worthwhile and use it to travel to Shijo Station where most central Kyoto landmarks are in the vicinity and to connect to the Hankyu rail network which provides access to Osaka Itami Airport with easier transfers. As it is near Kyoto Station, it is also a suitable base to do trips on the JR network to Osaka, Nara, Uji, Arashiyama and the Shiga region or beyond. Kyoto Station is the terminus for the bus network in Kyoto as well, thus it is also suitable for exploring Kyoto via bus. The rooms are rather comfortable. They have great coffee and drinks at a discount for guests. A reliable laundry facility. The only downside is the layout of the hostel. To get to the dorms or from the common area to the private rooms you have to go outdoors first which is problematic during rain or extreme cold weather. Otherwise, it was a comfortable stay and decent quiet base for exploring Kyoto that is away from the more busy areas around Kyoto Station and Sanjo district.

My husband and I stayed at K's for 4 nights in Kyoto. We were really impressed with how bright and spacious the hostel was; it really feels like a cutting edge, modern hostel that is perfect for budget travelers who want a place where they will be comfortable. The hostel had lots of information about things to see & do as well as places to eat in Kyoto. Although we did not take advantage of the cafe/bar, the prices on drinks were incredibly reasonable, especially in Japan where alcohol is very expensive. We also appreciated that the hostel provides many things like chargers, guidebooks, and umbrellas for free, and many other travel items can be purchased for nominal prices. The dorm we stayed in was spotlessly clean, as was the bathroom. The bunks were sturdy, and the cubbies under each bed that were lockable had more than enough space to store all of our travel gear. The rooms were bright and airy, and we really appreciated that we could use the wifi from the comfort of our own bedroom without having to always trek to the common area. Only downside is that although K's is only a 10 minute walk from Kyoto station, the area it is in did not seem to be great for restaurants or nightlife. It's quite a walk to the Gion district and other more lively areas, and we frequently just went back to the train station area when we were looking for food. Not a dealbreaker, but there are definitely more vibrant parts of town to be in! The location is really convenient for those using Kyoto as a base for other day trips.

The hostel was excellent for the price. Though it's one of the cheapest hostels in Kyoto, they cared about every details. They even had various pillows for you to choose! They also provided slippers and umbrella, which were very useful in such rainy season. They provided free breakfast from 7:30 to 10 am, however, by 9:30 food was pretty much gone. The breakfast also had no protein. The thing is in the receipt, they broke down the very cheap room rate into 'Room' and 'Breakfast', almost half and half. This made the breakfast look very expensive. In fact, if they stated that the price was for the room, and breakfast was complimentary, the room would still be very very cheap, comparing to the excellent service and room conditions.

10/10 the best hostel in Kyoto or all of Japan. Everything is new and clean, very helpful staff especially Mayu & Amy, and a few others sorry couldn't rememeber your names. Shower floor is on basement which is good too to minimize the noise level & its the little things that makes this hostel so different from the others, eg. towel free to use, if you need more just grab from the counter; - the hair dryer they use, even better than the ones I have at home; -Breakfast simple but delicious, slightly different menu too, had curry rice one day, it was superb. they also made onigiri. Would certainly come back to stay if im back in Kyoto.

10min walk from the nearest train station. walking distance on tourist spots. if you use google map to find the location, you will get confused the map will show you are in the hostel already only to find out it's a different property (tricky) the hostel is actually right at the back of the pointed property. The hostel is in front of the carpark, it's not very obvious until you go inside the carpark. The staff who assisted us is friendly. Hotel is relatively new, stylish (loved it!). I got no issues on bathrooms and toilets though limited. I like the smell of this hotel. It's so quiet that i can hear someone's snoring next door (lol). We travelled around autumn so the sun sets (dark already) as early as 5.30pm so if you have plans on taking photos, go out earlier. Supermarkets are just around the area, can buy cheaper takeaways on food. Enjoy!

I spent four days staying at this hostel. The rooms are clean, bed is comfortable. It has a very comfortable common room where travelers gather, there are also books/notes, you can draw anything you like or just simply write in your impressions. The most attractive spot is wall covered by Tanaka-san's grandmas paintings which makes it very artsy. But above all, this hostel is only 3 minutes away from Kyoto station by walking!! They have only 1 bathroom, but i think it is no big problem in you wake up earlier you dont have to bother yourself waiting for a shower. A really comfortable place to stay!

The residence is about 5 minutes away from Kyoto station and Aeon Mall, it is also near an authentic ramen noodle shop. We liked how the residence was able to send detailed instructions of how to get there, how to access the house and the rooms as well. The tatami mats and futons were a beautiful touch to the room. The rooms were very clean and simple. The bathroom and other amenities were just the same. On the other hand the residence can get very cold, especially in the mornings. Secondly it took us some time to understand how to operate the shower area because of the lack of instructions. Overall, Kotori House is a nice place to stay, there are interesting places nearby (the local park with Sakura trees), and is easily accessible to a lot of the sights in Kyoto.

We rented room for 3 of us. This guesthouse is spacious for Japanese standard. There's washing machine, stove, fridge, complete amenities In bathroom. There's 3 comfortable single bed. Less than 5mins you will reach bus station, 10mins to train station. There's are many eateries and convenient store nearby. The best part is, the price is very reasonable and I will come back to this guesthouse next time I back to Kyoto.

My mother and I stayed at Lantern for two nights in mid-April of 2014. It was towards the end of cherry blossom season, and we had a lovely time. After walking about 10-15 minutes from the Kyoto station, we arrived at Guest House Lantern. Takeshi (the owner) provided us with recommendations on where to go and how to get there while using a handy bus map he had readily available for visitors. He speaks really great Mandarin Chinese, and he has a some English aptitude, as well. Lantern is above a pretty good ramen shop, so you have to walk up to the second floor to reach the guest house. There's a communal kitchen on the third floor, and there are rooms on the second, third, and fourth floors. Each floor has a toilet and a shower. (I'd recommend showering during off-hours to avoid having to wait for others to finish.) My mother and I bought some groceries on the second night and had dinner next to Takeshi and four other guests. It was really fun to meet the other visitors: two ladies were from Tokyo, a couple of guys were from Singapore, a couple of gals were from Shanghai, and one lady was from Taiwan. A group of three ladies from Hokkaido arrived on our second night. As with other guest houses/hostels where the rooms are shared, you might want to bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. The rooms are clean and well equipped with electrical outlets (a couple per bed) so that you can charge your phone/camera easily. I'd definitely stay at Lantern again during a future stay in Kyoto. See you again, Takeshi!

Very impressed with the facilities (clean, new and almost complete) Friendly staff They give a very clear instructions on how to get to the guesthouse in their Facebook page. I have no problem in searching for the hotel. Do check on their videos in their FB. I have no problem with the check in. They help to store my luggage and carry them to the room once the room is available. The nearest station is Keihan kiyomizu gojo station exit 2. For those who carry heavy luggage, you can use exit 4 (with lift) and walk across the main road There are Few convinient stores available ( Lawson 100, circle k and 7-11 ) near exit 4. lawson has the best offer and variety of goods. The only downside is its location. It's not really convinient For those who takes public transport: 1) The nearest bus stop is hankyu bus stop. You cannot use 1-day pass Kyoto city bus/Kyoto for hankyu buses. To take Kyoto city bus, You need to walk approx 4min to the kawaramachi gojo bus stop which is situated on the other side of kamo river. 2) from Kyoto station, take JR Nara line to Tofukuji station (1 stop 140 yen) and change to Keihan line. Take normal speed Keihan train (2 stop 150 yen) to kiyomizu gojo Keihan station 3) from kawaramachi hankyu station, exit 1b ( no lift in exit 1 b, lift at exit 2/3) walk across the kamo river (2 min or less) to Keihan Gion Shijo station ( lift available at exit7), take normal speed Keihan train (1 stop 150yen) to kiyomizu gojo Keihan station 4) taxi. We tried to show the map / hotel address to the drivers but we was rejected twice as they could not understand English There are very few restaurants available in this area. I would prefer to stay in guesthouse which is nearer to Kyoto station/ kawaramachi station.

Staff were happy to assist, but pay attention to what they tell you to do, because Japanese culture is structured and not appreciative of rowdiness, loudness, sloppiness, or inconsiderateness in a hotel environment. Even sh*tfaced drunk salarymen will still behave sensibly here. Anyway, this place was very good value for the money. Very comfortable. Not very easy luggage storage and access (because it really wasn't build to be a foreign tourist hotel). Sauna and bath were great, massage was excellent with zero wait time, and let me tell you - the breakfast buffet was superb! Chillin in your hotel pajamas and eating as much fish, raw eggs, natto, soup, and veggies was very valuable to me - as touring Kyoto all day is exhausting for anyone. I'd stay at this place again in Kyoto for sure. Drop your luggage off, take a bath, rent a bike, enjoy Kyoto. This is bare bones, though, I don't think you can hang out during the day - so if it's rainy or you like to come back to your hotel a lot between activities, maybe it's not the best for you. But if you're a guy with a tight accommodations budget, a good amount of energy and willingness to forego certain hotel features, everything that you DO get here is clean, orderly, comfy, and considerate. Toothbrushes, razors, towels, breakfast, nightlight, lockers, pajamas, massage, no restroom waits, great bath (including a rooftop outdoor bathing area at night!). Thanks again Rumor Plaza!

Staff performance was outstanding. Very helpful with maps and direction/travel advice. They provide luggage storage until 10pm. There's a bus stop right outside to take you to the golden temple and other key tourist locations. You can buy an all day bus ticket for 500yen. Common room was fantastic. Met some interesting travelers to dine and explore Gion with. Beds are comfortable and have curtains for privacy. Bathroom is clean. Best hostel I stayed in Japan. Really enjoyed my Kyoto experience

This is a beautifully-designed hostel that makes you feel like you're not staying in a hostel. The dorm space is spacious & really clean. I like the lounge area- nice area to chill & read a book. Location is really good. Short walk from Exit 4 of Jingu Marutamachi station. 2 stops away from Gion. About 15-20mins walk to Imperial Palace. And there are direct buses nearby to Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji and Kyoto station. Special thanks to Sakura for your help- appreciate it. Price is a bit expensive but that is due to the Golden Week. For travellers with luggage, please note that there is no lift so if you get the 3rd floor, you'll really need to lug your bags up.

I spent one night in this hostel, and it was quite an amazing place to stay. I checked in at around 11pm, and when I went inside the common area was quite noisy and happening, as people were making new friends and chatting. But when the time almost reached 12am they started to stop and went back to sleep, which was good to me as I'd prefer more quiet and cozy resting time at night. I took a nice shower and sit at the sofas around the shelves and beds. The books were mostly in Japanese (I'd suggest to have more English titles!), but I managed to read some picture books. The silhouettes of people reading books were reflected on the window, with books floating in the air. The overall space was actually quite small, so washrooms and toilets might be quite packed. Nonetheless the location was super near to the train station, but since it's at 9th floor, I could only see the cars passing by all nights, but not interrupted by any noise. Lights were dimmed and soft music were only played during non-sleeping hours. Very careful design and friendly (+handsome :p) staffs! Thanks for the wonderful experience, Would definitely love to stay there again if I were to visit Kyoto again (which I will!)

Impressive experience for tourist who never plans to stay in hostel & never be in Kyoto. As a Kyoto tourist, all we need from the accommodation is the cozy night to re-charge for fresh morning, where is convenient to hop around Kyoto, and Kyoto Hostel Ryokan serves these with comfortable & flexible level. The location is good, only few minute walk to Jujo subway station (2stations from Kyoto station/terminal), passing convenient store, main road. The premise is newly built, the host is nice, common area is well-organised & facilitate. There are shower gel, shampoo, water heaters, hairdryer, washing machine, clothes dryer, internet, microwave, water boilers, toasters, etc.; towel & umbrella for rent; simple breakfast is inclusive.

The staffs are nice and helpful. They provide much useful information. They are from different countries so that there is no language issue. You can talk in English, Chinese, Japanese, etc. The breakfast is so good!! It will keep you from oversleeping every morning.The location of the hostel is 2 minuets walkways from subway and bus stop. It is convenient to transfer to most of the famous tourist spots in Kyoto. The equipment is sufficient and clean. The bed is nice. But the hairdryer is that kind you need to keep pressing it. It kills me sometimes. In a nutshell, it is a great hostel!

The hostel is easy to locate. Just 2min walk from Higashiyama subway station and 3min walk from Higashiyama Sanjo bus station. Located in the Furukawa shopping street. Walking distance to Gion and Karawamachi district. Staff are very friendly and helpful. My booking was 5nights stay in female dormitory however I was given 3 nights stay in their private room! Positive surprise! The downside is, the hostel has only one shower room. Hence you have to take turn or wait till late hour to shower. Because the building is a 100yo Japanese traditional house, the wall is paper thin. You can literarily hear people snoring from the next room. Peraonally I would prefer a more happening backpacker stay with activities, so that I can have the opportunity to meet other travellers. Hostel Haruya is more quiet. Overall is a pleasent stay in Hostel Haruya.

In this hostel, I made a lot of friends. All the staff can speck English and all of them are so NICE! Also, there is cooking facilities, that's well for the meal arrangement. Japanese living style hostel, very clean. Close to Nijo castle and Kyoto Imperial palace, I can walk to these two spots. Around the environment it is so quiet so you can have a nice sleep. Low price for high value. Recommend to all the people who want or have planned to visit Kyoto!

Pros: The guesthouse is located close to JR tambaguchi sta. and 1 minute walk from bus stop. They sends a "how to reach" guide which is very helpful. The owner is very friendly with good English. The facilities are clean and adequate, a good value for money. It was easy to socialize with fellow travelers too. Overall, I am very happy with my stay and definitely return. cons: The room I stayed was bit confined and Stairs to top floor could be a challenge with heavy luggage. Neither were a biggie for me though. No laundry facilities but you could easily find a coin laundry nearby. The lady staff who checked me in was not so cordial or welcoming, something we would expect with a first stay in Japan, but the owner and other staffs made up for it. Overall, i wont hesitate

Stayed in Kyoto for 2 nights, and was glad to have picked Ebi. The location itself is quite central, within walking distance to many places, and with easy access to those further off by nearby bus and metro lines. The owner is very friendly, socializing with guests at the hostel and even taking us out to some of his favourite local spots. The beds are also quite spacious and comfortable compared to other similar bunk/capsule style beds, and each comes with a large locker that can be used to store luggage. Additionally, the premise is kept quite clean, with no mold, mildew, smells or other typical problems often found at hostels. The hostel itself is at the top of a multi-use building, with a bar and restaurant below, but thankfully no noise is heard at night so you can get a good night's rest. There are also plenty of food and drink options within 5 minutes walking distance. If I ever return to Kyoto, I will definitely try to stay at Ebi again - no question.

I have stayed in a LOT of hostels/guesthouses during my travels and this one ranks in my top three. Itoya is a veritable oasis of peace and cleanliness. The staff is very polite, the facilities are spotless, and the entire place is steeped in traditional Japanese charm. The location is fairly central, but located off a quiet side street. The price is extremely reasonable. Check in hours are a bit limited, but everything else is absolutely wonderful. Five stars all the way.

I stayed 2 night in Mondo, the location is ok, there is bus and supermarket nearby, walked further has train station. It is a traditional Japanese house. You can use kitchen to cook. The staffs are very nice, they can give you the best advice in Kyoto. Even there is tourist map on the wall, mark the entrance ticket, the distance for you considering. There is tatami living room. The hostel keeps very clean, next time definitely will go back again.