K's House Kyoto - Hostel

The main drawback for me was the shared-room bunks, which had no curtains. Using a flashlight at night could disturb other guests, and their lights could disturb me. Some newer furniture in the common area would also make the place better. Still, it's a nice little hostel: everything from the rooms to the showers and toilets was clean and presentable, the location was great, and the service was excellent. A few upgrades could improve an already good stay.

A staff member at the front desk kindly gave me an umbrella left behind by a previous guest after another guest took my small one. It was such a warm, thoughtful gesture. I stayed in several hostels on my first solo trip to Japan, but this one stuck with me most. The sleeping area has less privacy than some other hostels, though I think that's fair for the price. Roommates can make a difference: my first-night roommate snored loudly and I barely slept, but the next night’s roommates were quiet and I slept much better. I'd choose Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto again if I visit Kyoto on a budget.

The room had poor sound insulation, so we could hear the showers running, which wasn't pleasant. There were no blackout curtains either, and that made sleeping difficult. I also felt uneasy when staff emptied the trash in our room without telling us first. It's good that they take care of it, but I'd have liked notice so we could take important belongings with us. The staff were lovely, the location was perfect, and we enjoyed the baths and borrowing a game from reception.

Our educational tour group spent two days at K's House before going on to Tottori, and it made the Kyoto stop worthwhile. The rooms were good value, the shared space had a friendly feel, and the staff were consistently kind and helpful. The location was hard to beat. I hope to bring future groups here in the coming years.