Hiz Hotel Gion-Shirakawa

After moving from a 4 star to this 3 star, I found the beds bigger and more comfortable, and the room roomier. Self check-in was easy, and both Wi-Fi and AC worked. The location is very good, quiet, and only 5-10 minutes from Gion.

We had a great 5D4N in Kyoto, using Hiz Hotel Gion Shirakawa as our base. There are lots of places to eat nearby, along with konbinis and supermarkets. Buses and trains are about 5-10 minutes away. The apartment hotel is charming and has loads of space, cooking facilities, and a washing machine. The bathroom’s dryer heater was a blessing: we did laundry almost daily and woke up to clothes that were clean, warm, and toasty. I think I got a good price on Agoda too.

The staff were welcoming and helped us arrange to send our luggage to the next stop on our trip. Our room was comfortable and spacious by Japanese standards, with a small kitchenette and washing machine. The hotel is especially well placed for visiting temples on Kyoto’s western side, and public transport also connects it well to the rest of the city. Don't miss it!

We booked through Airbnb, and it turned out to be a great choice. The price was very good, especially since hotels in Japan aren’t cheap. Check-in and check-out were easy, the place was clean, and the daytime receptionist was lovely, so you still get a hotel feel if you need anything. It’s in a quiet residential neighbourhood, but shops, bars, and restaurants are within walking distance, and the subway is a few blocks away for going further. We walked from the hotel to the subway to start our Arashiyama Bamboo forest trip, then came back to the city and went out to eat. We had a great stay, and I’d totally recommend it.