Hostel – Guesthouse

Hostels are accommodations with the bare essentials for the budget traveler. They usually feature shared bedrooms and facilities in return for low rates. Hostels are often good places to interact with fellow travelers since time would inevitably be spent together in common areas. Hostels are found all across Japan. The network of Hostelling International Youth Hostels covers both cities and the countryside, while many independent hostel operators are found in the big cities and can be booked online through sites such as Hostelworld.

Hostels typically charge between 2000 and 4500 yen per person and night. Room layouts differ from place to place, but dormitory rooms with double-storied bunk beds are most common. Some hostels also offer Japanese style rooms with futons laid on the tatami floor. Rooms are typically shared by four to eight people and are often gender segregated. Some hostels also offer private rooms, but this tends to bring the cost up by a few thousand yen. Expect to have to make your own bed.

Toilets and bathrooms are usually shared, although some rooms may have them en suite at a premium rate. Amenities are limited, and you may have to bring your own soap and shampoo. Approximately half of all hostels provide towels; at the other half you would have to use your own or rent them for a small fee. Some hostels maintain a laundry room with coin-operated washing machines and driers.

Shared toilet and wash area

Meals, especially breakfast, are included at some hostels or are available at an additional fee. Some hostels allow you to cook your own meals in a shared kitchen that is equipped with simple cooking tools. Vending machines with a variety of drinks and snacks can be found at many hostels, as can be free Wi-Fi and lockers. Almost all hostels also feature a common room for guests to socialize. The room is usually equipped with a TV and a PC for all to use.

Note that many hostels, especially the ones outside of the big cities, maintain strict curfews. It is also not uncommon that hostels have a lock-out period, typically from 10:00 to 16:00, when all guests are required to be absent from the compound. A smoke-free environment may or may not be maintained.

Common room

Kyoto Hostels And Guesthouses

Kyoto is loaded with cheap, well-run budget accommodations, making the city a natural choice for backpackers. 


Tour Club

The first quality backpackers’ accommodation in Kyoto, Tour Club, is a favorite guesthouse in the city. 

It’s only 10 minutes’ walk from Kyoto Station and it’s close to some interesting attractions, like Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple. Tour Club has a mix of dorm rooms and private rooms, all of which are well maintained. The private rooms have en suite bathrooms.

Like its counterpart, the Budget Inn, one of the real draws here is the friendly English-speaking staff and the chance to meet other travelers (there’s a comfortable Japanese-style common area), as well as everything you need while on the road: laundry facilities, free wifi and a couple of computer terminals in the lobby.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/tour-club.en.html?aid=965263;label=IKTourClub


Ga-yjun

Good location and you can stay here and have a free tour and access to their sento. They also offer special cultural events.

https//:www.gajyun.jp/en/

http://www.gajyun.jp/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/mapforeng.pdf


Oki’s Inn

It opened in the Furukawa-cho shopping district in September 2012. 
http://www.okimachi.com/index_en.html



Budget Inn

Run by the same caring folks as Tour Club, Budget Inn is another great choice for budget travellers. There are only private rooms here. 

http://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/budget-inn.html?aid=965263;label=IKBudgetInn


K’s House Kyoto:

This popular guesthouse is modeled on the sort of large backpackers’ joint you might find in New Zealand or Australia. It’s very social, with a bar and restaurant.


Gojo Guesthouse:

In the center of downtown, this converted old Japanese house has character galore and friendly owners.

http://www.hostelskyoto.com/annex%20e.html 


Ryokan Rakucho

In the north of the city, this is officially a ryokan, but it feels more like a guesthouse.

http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/rakucho-ryokan/indx.html  


Utano Youth Hostel

It’s located way in the north of the city (near Kinkaku-ji), but it’s easily Kyoto’s best youth hostel. Good for cyclists.

http://www.yh-kyoto.or.jp/utano/