Sakara Gion

Our room was roomy and stayed quiet at all hours. Yuko-san was friendly, knew her stuff, and was easy to reach whenever we had questions. Her English was perfect. The location also worked well for walking around Kyoto, with many major attractions just a short stroll away.

We got around mostly on foot or using the keihan main line, and SAKARA made a great base for our time in Kyoto. Sanjo Station is very close, many temples and tourist spots are an easy walk, and downtown is about five minutes away for food and drinks. The geisha district is nearby too. Our host was the most helpful of all the places we stayed in Japan. They marked good places to visit on a map and shared lots of local tips in person. We had the ninja room, so getting to the sleeping area means climbing a steep ladder. That was fine for us, though it might be tricky after one too many shochu. There were plenty of amenities in the room, plus a first-floor common area where you can sit with coffee and plan your day. We’d highly recommend SAKARA and would like to stay again next time we’re in Kyoto.

The loft bed setup is a real plus, and the rooms are comfortable. Yuko was a lovely, welcoming host. The place is in a great spot, inside a small arcade not far from Gion.

Yuko spoke great English and helped us get settled without any trouble. She also gave us directions and a quick guide to what the neighborhood has to offer.