Hanakiya

The hostess really made the stay: she was warm every time we met and gave us great suggestions for activities, sights, and places to eat, along with a map marked with highlights. We felt at home in this historic Kyoto neighborhood. The room was simple, tidy, and traditional. There’s a shared common room, shower, and bathroom, though I didn't run into other guests using them. The location also made early temple visits easy. Bring cash for the 2000 yen key deposit, which the host returns when you hand the key back at the end. The doorways are low, so I was ducking constantly at 6 foot 5 to avoid the lights and frames. With bulky luggage, I'd think twice about walking from Kiyomizu-Gojo station: once you're in historic Kyoto, the sidewalks get narrow and packed with tourists. Even with just a wheeled carry-on, I found it challenging.

Coming back late after hiking in 95-degree heat, we found the host had bought us a tray of fruit. That kind of care blew us away. The guesthouse was adorable, spotless, and comfortable. It was the best hotel we stayed at on the whole trip, and I'd be surprised if a five-star place could match that hospitality. I'd return in a heartbeat.

Our hosts welcomed us so warmly and were a huge help when a luggage company broke a wheel on our bag. They also pointed us to fantastic local coffee and ramen places. The location was excellent, and the streets were wonderfully quiet at night, even while exploring the usually busy areas. This was our favourite stay on the whole trip through Japan. I can't recommend it enough and hope to come back.

What a friendly, welcoming host. After a day out exploring, I came back one day to find she'd bought me a pokemon doughnut. The place is a real Kyoto gem, close to 'the action' and at a reasonable price. Just excellent.