Haruya Umekouji

I love everything about this hostel. The interior, ambiance, the smell, the lovely staffs, this kinda remind me of home. This hostel is actually a hundred year old house, so expect the interior to be all traditional, with futons and sliding doors, wooden floor and low tables. If you want to experience japan in the traditional way with affordable price, you should definitely book a room in this hostel. This might be old but it is well maintained. One of the things I like is the cleanliness. Everything is very tidy. They also have a small kitchenet on the first floor where you can have meals. A small traditional garden just outside the kitchen. Just remember to be mindful and keep as quiet as possible when coming in and out of the hotel, so you won’t bother other guests. They are very strict with the noise, since this is an old house, the walls are not sound proof. Well who doesn’t want peace and quiet. Another thing I like about this hotel is that its very accessible. There are bus stations just 5min away, kyoto station is just 15min away. Ministop and 7/11, and Kyoto aquarium are all walking distance. You can also ask to rent a bike instead of commuting. The alley just outside the hostel is very beautiful, we actually walked towards kyoto station on the first day so we can explore the surroundings more. The staffs are super friendly and helpful, they will provide you a map and help you with the directions and attractions where you can visit. All in all it was a wonderful experience, we will definitely stay here again when we go to kyoto soon!