Trad Guest House Kyoto

Getting to most of the city’s attractions took about an extra hour each day, counting the trip there and back, since the apartment is quite far from them. Even so, we enjoyed staying here. It’s a two-floor Japanese style apartment with lots of space and appliances, and it made us feel immersed in the culture. I was unsure about sleeping on the futons at first, but stacking several helped. The place could use a more thorough cleaning.

The house is really small, and there’s barely room for luggage or futons. If you’ve never slept on a futon, it means sleeping on the floor, so expect possible back pain. I wouldn’t choose it with more than three people, or for tall or big people and families. Two closets are full of the owner’s stuff, leaving no key for our luggage. There’s a huge, heavy, old wooden lunch table in the middle of the dining, kitchen, bath access and entrance area, making it impossible for more than three people. The water in Kyoto isn’t nice, and they don’t provide bottled water or any kind of welcome. The place is also cluttered with useless decorations and furniture in the way. If you love tatami and futon, it may suit you.

There were cockroaches all over the place, and the owner didn’t respond. booking.com won’t help either. They’re quick and efficient at taking your money, though. Don’t stay here unless you want hundreds of cockroaches running around and on you while you sleep.

The upstairs Japanese bedroom sleeps four to six people. Downstairs there’s a fully equipped kitchen, a Japanese bathroom, washing machine and toilets. It’s a really nice guesthouse in a quiet area, close to shops, izakaya, an onsen, and bus and railway stations.