Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [269]
Kurama-no-hi Matsuri (Kurama Fire Festival) In perhaps Kyoto’s most dramatic festival, huge flaming torches are carried through the streets of Kurama by men in loincloths on 22 October (the same day as the Jidai Matsuri).
Return to beginning of chapter
SLEEPING
The most convenient areas in which to be based, in terms of easy access to shopping, dining and sightseeing attractions, are downtown Kyoto and the Higashiyama area. The Kyoto Station area is also a good place to be based, with excellent access to transport and plenty of shops and restaurants about. Transport information in the following listings is from Kyoto Station unless otherwise noted.
Kyoto Station Area
BUDGET
Guest Houses
K’s House Kyoto (Map; 342-2444; http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/index.html; 418 Naya-chō, Shichijō agaru, Dotemachi-dōri, Shimogyō-ku; dm from ¥2300, s/d/tw per person from ¥3500/2900/2900; ; Kyoto Station, Karasuma central gate) K’s House is a large Western-style backpacker’s guest house with both private and dorm rooms. The rooms are simple but adequate and there are spacious common areas. There’s also an on-site restaurant that serves cheap cafe drinks, alcohol and snacks. There are coin-operated internet terminals and free wi-fi. The staff can help arrange inexpensive onward travel around Japan. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
Tour Club (Map; 353-6968; www.kyotojp.com; 362 Momiji-chō, Higashinakasuji, Shōmen-sagaru, Shimogyō-ku; dm ¥2450, d ¥6980-7770, tr ¥8880-9720; ; Kyoto Station, Karasuma central gate) Run by a charming and informative young couple, this clean, well-maintained guest house is a favourite of many foreign visitors. Facilities include bicycle rentals, laundry and free tea and coffee. Most private rooms have a bathroom, and there is a spacious quad room for families. This is probably the best choice in this price bracket. It’s a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station; turn north off Shichijō-dōri at the Second House coffee shop (looks like a bank) and keep an eye out for the English sign.
Budget Inn (Map; 344-1510; www.budgetinnjp.com; 295 Aburanokōji-chō, Shichijō sagaru, Shimogyō-ku; dm/tr/q/5-person r ¥2500/10,980/12,980/14,980; ; Kyoto Station, Karasuma central gate) This well-run guest house is an excellent choice. It’s got two dorm rooms and six Japanese-style private rooms, all of which are clean and well maintained. All rooms have their own bathroom, and there is a spacious quad room which is good for families. The staff here is very helpful and friendly, and laundry and bicycle rental are available. All in all, this is a great choice in this price range. It’s a seven-minute walk from Kyoto Station; from the station, walk west on Shiokōji-dōri, turn north one street before Horikawa and look for the English-language sign out front.
Ryokan
Nihonkan (Map; 371-3125; Karasuma-dōri Shichijō sagaru nishi iru, Shimogyō-ku; r per person from ¥4000; Kyoto Station, Karasuma central gate) If you want a taste of an old-school budget-traveller’s ryokan, then walk north from Kyoto Station for about two minutes and you’ll come to the humble Nihonkan. Rooms are simple but adequate and there are big common baths (sort of like those in a public bath).
Matsubaya (Map; 351-3727; www.matsubayainn.com; Nishi-iru Higashinotoin, Kamijizuyamachi-dōri, Shimogyō-ku; r per person from ¥4200; ; Kyoto Station, Karasuma central gate) A short walk from Kyoto Station, this newly renovated ryokan has clean, well-kept rooms and a management that is used to foreign guests. Some rooms on the 1st floor look out on small gardens. There are internet terminals and LAN cable-access points in rooms. Average room rates here run about ¥6500 per person. Matsubaya also has several serviced apartments in its adjoining Bamboo House section – these would be great for anyone planning a longer stay in the city.
Kyōraku (Map; 371-1260; www.ryokankyoraku.jp; 231 Kogawa-chō, Shichijō agaru, Akezu-dōri, Shimogyō-ku; r per person from ¥5200; ; Kyoto Station, Karasuma central gate) About