Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo-omiya

The location worked well, with JR just a few stops from Arashiyama and a bus stop three minutes away for many scenic spots. The staff were friendly, though my room was a little dusty and the water kettle was dirty.

My mother and I spent the first night in a smoking room because we couldn’t book non-smoking rooms, and a two-night stay in one sounded miserable. We asked about cancellations, but were offered only a non-smoking room for the first night. To avoid changing rooms the next day, we stayed in the smoking rooms. The room my mom and I got smelled like someone had smoked in it 24/7 for years. My son's smoking room was okay. The next morning we asked again if a non-smoking room had opened up, even though we’d been told none were available for the second day. They said one had, but it was on a higher floor and cost extra. Since they knew we were looking for a non-smoking room, I wish they’d told us it had become available. We paid an extra ¥3000 to switch. My mom left her hat in the smoking room. We didn’t realize until we were out sightseeing, and expected someone to let us know when we returned, but they didn’t. We had to ask. When my son left his shirt at Toyoko-inn in Hakodate, they called us right away. By the time we found out about the hat, we were already traveling to our next destination. This Toyoko-inn is farther from train stations than others we’ve stayed at, and there aren’t any convenience stores nearby.

The room was a good size, with a nice tub and sparkling clean bathroom, no wet smell, plus fresh air. Breakfast is the usual Toyoko Inn buffet. I especially liked the cream soup and cooked chicken. After about 7:30am, bread and juice stopped being replenished, or came out very slowly, sometimes taking more than 20-30 minutes, so go early if you want to try everything. The location can save on transport if you’re visiting places served by JR, such as Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. Tambaguchi station on the JR Sagano line is a 10-minute walk away. Keep in mind Kyoto Station is huge. The walk from the Shinkansen or most JR local platforms to platform 32 for the Sagano line takes at least 10 minutes, and it’s hard to hurry through the crowds. Leave plenty of time to transfer.

There’s no closed wardrobe, just hangers on a wooden bar fixed to the wall. It works as an open wardrobe and leaves the room feeling more spacious. Bus stops are only 2 to 3 minutes away, while local train stations are around a 10-minute walk. It’s a little far from the shops on foot, and a taxi from Kyoto station costs about 860 Yen. The reception staff are friendly and speak English.