Stay SAKURA Kyoto Higashiyama Shirakawa

The front desk was so kind. I booked my next hotel at the last minute and, since I don't know Japanese, asked them to call and check the reservation for me. They were happy to help. This place is great value with great service, and we had no issues during our stay. It's beside a quaint river lined with willows, very romantic, and close to a train station, restaurants, and all sorts of things to do in Kyoto. I'd definitely recommend it if you're not staying at a ryokan.

I found this place convenient and affordable, with a surprising amount of space for the price. Other places I stayed in Japan cost twice as much and were much smaller. The in-room washing machine was especially useful in the summer heat. Staff were kind, the beds comfortable, and there were lots of shopping centers and temples close by. It seems like a good-sized room for a family, too.

We couldn't get an early check-in, but the hotel stored our luggage and had already taken it up to our rooms by the time we returned. There was no daily cleaning, which we liked because nobody came into the room. The rooms felt much more luxurious than two stars suggest, with four generous beds and enough floor space to picnic, dry clothes, play games, or fold laundry. The kitchenette had mugs, small plates, glasses, cutlery, bottle openers, scissors, a microwave, and a fridge. We ran the washer each night in the heat, and the rack, hangers, and clips made drying manageable. The bathroom's small tub felt like a private one-person onsen, with lots of shelves, though we missed having hooks for towels or toilet kits. It's a short walk to Higashiyanma station on smooth roads for luggage, and also an easy walk to Sanjo station. The beautiful canal area, where locals sit on a bridge in the moonlight or splash in the water at night, is nearby, as is a covered shopping street with lots of shops and restaurants.

Everything went smoothly, and we had no problems. The beds and pillows felt a bit too firm, but that's just personal preference. Thanks!