BJ Family House

The room was cramped and had a strange smell. The futon was dirty and covered in hair, and the towels weren’t clean either. The shower rules were odd, no showering before 8 am or after 11 pm. I couldn’t stay even one night and had to find another place.

The bedding was filthy, with lots of hair and yellow stains, and the bathroom was so narrow I bumped into the walls when turning around. Sound traveled badly too, even noises from the first floor carried up to the second. At check-in, the owner was very friendly with some Chinese guests, but distant with us, and her service felt poor. She gave us so many rules that the place felt like a prison. When we left for our destination, she lectured us again in the same bad manner, repeating them. Then in the middle of the night she knocked loudly on our door and startled us, invading our privacy. Other reviews mention this too. For the quality, the price wasn’t worth it. I strongly wouldn’t recommend this place.

The room’s very small, but for the two of us it wasn’t really a problem. If you want the feel of a Japanese home, this might suit you. Just be considerate of everyone else and keep the noise down.

Kyoto can be pricey, but don’t make my mistake and book BJ family Inn. During my stay in Japan, this was the worst experience. They charged extra tourist tax in cash and charged for towels too, things I hadn’t encountered elsewhere in Japan. The reviews mention plenty of criticism, and unfortunately I found it all true. It’s a terrible place, and choosing it because it’s cheap is something you’ll regret.