Gion Kyoto Miyagawacyo Guesthouse HANAKANZASHI

The beds were clean, roomy and really comfortable, with nice blackout curtains. There are small lockboxes at the entrance, and they can provide storage if you buy groceries. The bathrooms were nice, but towels cost extra. There’s only one USB charging port by the bed.

Right by the river, with loads of space for bags and a comfortable, roomy bed. The hostel was really clean, and the staff were friendly. There were plenty of showers, toilets and sinks, so sharing them with other guests was easy.

The location is great, on a quiet but central street where you might spot a geisha if you’re out at the right time. The staff were kind, though they didn’t handle drunk Australians stomping around very well. It’s clean and modern inside, but the old building is noisy. Beds are big and comfortable, but the bunks only have one USB port and no power outlet. You can leave your bags after checkout, but they won’t let you use the common room anymore. That felt like poor hospitality and isn’t standard for a hostel.

The beds were comfortable and roomy, and the shared spaces were kept in good shape. The bus and train stations are about five minutes away. One toilet for so many people might be inconvenient, though. Someone from reception showed me around, which I really appreciated. At other guesthouses and hostels, I’ve been left to figure out what I could use and where to go on my own.