Gion Shijo Hotel

At around 9,000 yen a night, I’d definitely come back, even with the drawbacks. The location is great for a morning run along the Kamo River, and if you run, Keihan Electric Railway is only about 15 seconds away. It’s handy for heading to Uji or Osaka. The bathtub was the best I’ve had in Japan, huge and equipped with bubbles, and the air conditioner is powerful, with heating or cooling available in any season. There are some real inconveniences. Rooms on the first floor pick up every sound from the street, reception, laundry machines, people talking by the elevator, and the parking lot. There’s just one coin washer and one dryer, and the nearest convenience store is a bit far. The traditional key lock is less convenient for security than a card key, and the amenities selection is limited. It’s also not a great base for making full use of the Kyoto City Bus & Subway Pass, since buses are easy but the subway is difficult to reach. At the sink, you can’t set the water temperature or keep it running, which I don’t understand for a fixture like this. The hairdryer is loud but has very weak airflow.

After a long day exploring Kyoto, the Jacuzzi bathtub was a lovely way to relax. The front desk also made things easy: staff would keep my traditional room key safely whenever I went out. Fresh towels arrived each day and were left neatly at my door, while the room was cleaned every three days. A cozy place near Gion Shijo Station.

The room was spacious and comfortable, the biggest I’ve had in Japan so far. The location is fantastic, right beside the subway, the river, and Pontocho Alley. Highly recommend it!

We were comfortable the whole time, and the room stayed quiet with its windows shut and covered, despite not having ordinary windows. The location is central, and they provided a humidifier and air purifier in case restaurant smells came in. The AC worked well. The room was clean, and the bed was very comfortable. When we asked the front desk for another pillow, it arrived right away. The bathroom setup was handy for sharing, with the shower and tub in their own room apart from the toilet and sink. The jet tub was clean and comfortable, and the shower pressure was incredible. The bathroom mirror was heated and had adjustable cool or warm lighting. The high-end toilet flushed automatically. We also appreciated the fridge, microwave, and kettle. The TV was huge, with lots of channels and some room service you could order. Both the ceiling and mood lights could be dimmed and controlled from bed, and the lit ledge behind the bed made a handy place to charge and rest a phone. I’d highly recommend this hotel.