Hostel Otro Mundo

A small, pleasant hostel in a traditional Japanese house. The staff are really friendly, and it’s near a bus stop, about 20 minutes from Kyoto Station.

There’s a bus stop just around the corner, and you can walk to a few sights in about 20 minutes. Watch your head around the low doorways. The kitchen is nice, and there are plenty of spots to sit and relax. The bed was comfortable, and the cubby was spacious, though the end ones seemed smaller. A lock and key for the locker are included in the price. The showers are hot, and although there are only two toilets and two showers, I never had to wait. I think there are only two dorm rooms, so there aren’t many guests. It got quite hot in the dorms, and staff at the front desk can only change the AC temperature until around 9pm. If you get there before the 4pm check-in, people just leave their bags in the entryway.

The beds are comfy and the facilities are great, and it’s cheap too. I met so many friendly, interesting people, and the common room makes it easy to connect when you’re traveling solo. Best hostel I’ve stayed at in Japan so far.

The neighborhood is quiet and pleasant, with a supermarket and restaurant less than a minute away on foot. It’s not the best spot for sightseeing, though. Staff were really friendly and helpful, everything was very clean, and the beds were comfortable. There are only two toilets and showers, which can be a bit tight at busy times.