Shiki Homes HIKARI

We really enjoyed our stay in this clean apartment. The location was handy, and the hosts were caring. I’d happily recommend it to anyone visiting Kyoto.

The place felt carefully looked after, and the cleaning was thorough. The air conditioning worked well, and the dining table could be adjusted for height. The fridge had a freezer too. There were loads of useful supplies: a 3.5-cup rice cooker, kettle, coffee dripper, tea pot, pots with detachable handles, tongs and cutlery. They’d also provided dish soap, around 15 hangers, a clothesline big enough for a full washing machine load, hanger clips, rubbish bags, laundry detergent and fabric softener, tissues, scissors, tape, and four plastic umbrellas. There was even a Fire Stick, maybe left behind, but it worked.

The house had plenty of charm, with Japanese-style decor and a comfortable feel. Its weekly price seemed very reasonable for what was included. It’s in a peaceful residential area, close to buses and the subway, and only steps from the gardens and the Imperial Palace. The gardens are open 24/7, which is handy for a morning run or an easy walk later in the day. Shops, supermarkets, and restaurants are nearby, and the central location made it easy to explore Kyoto. Great value for the rental.

I live nearby, and while I’ve never had a bad experience with foreign visitors, groups of young Japanese guests have had poor manners. I tried asking them to keep the late-night noise down, but it didn’t help. I contacted management too and got no response. After waiting an hour with the noise still going, I called again and reached voicemail, so I ended up reporting it to the police. If you’re staying in a residential neighborhood, please remember that the people around you still have work or school the next day, even if you’re having fun on your trip.