Iwatoyama Hostel

Great value for money! I didn't want to stay in a capsule, so I booked a dorm bed. I asked to switch to a lower bed, but was told they were all taken and only an upper bed was available. That's just my personal preference, though. The bed was very comfortable, and the sheets and facilities were super clean. Toiletries were provided, including a table mirror, comb, and hair dryer. The bathroom is inside the room, which gives you decent privacy. The toilets are outside the room but on the same floor. The location is near restaurants, though I still found Nishiki Market far to walk to. There's a restaurant on the first floor as well as a kimono rental. It's very convenient if you plan to rent a kimono.

The entrance is nice, and the prices are good for Kyoto. Still, if another place is available in the same price range, that would probably be the better choice. The smell of smoke in the corridor is incredibly strong even though smoking is not allowed. It continues into the room, where there is also a smell of sweat, as if the room had not been aired out for a long time. I could not open the window either. The room also felt dirty, and there were many stains on my mattress. Someone was lounging on the bed assigned to me when I came into the room. Unfortunately, I arrived after the standard check-in time, at 10 p.m. They were fine with leaving out the keys, but there was no one I could ask whether this was normal. I woke up early and could not get back to sleep because of the smells. I thought I would get used to them, but I was wrong. Maybe I was unlucky during my stay, but all my other experiences in Japan have been much cleaner and nicer. I would even choose a hotel pod in Medan, Indonesia, over this. Go somewhere else if you can. It can only be better than my experience here.

The three-star rating is mainly because they would not hold luggage after checkout, which is very early at 10 a.m. It was our fault for not checking before booking, so I did not give just one star. If you want to explore Kyoto on your checkout day, consider staying somewhere else. On the plus side, the room and common area are clean, and Shijo Station is about a five-minute walk away. A bath towel and bed linen are provided free of charge once. The staff are friendly.

This is a very clean and organized accommodation. The dorms were nice, and curtains around the beds gave us more privacy. Large lockers are provided free in the rooms, but you need to bring your own lock. There was not much room for baggage, especially suitcases. Green tea is available free in the shared common area. It is not a very social hostel. The staff were friendly, though their English was limited. Be aware that Kyoto charges a tourist tax for all accommodation, so you will pay more when you arrive. Several stations are within walking distance, roughly 500 meters to one kilometer away.