Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel

It looks elegant and just like the photos, but I didn’t think it was good value. You have to make your own bed with the sheets, and no towels are supplied. Shower rooms are limited, and the public bath is only open from 4 to 11 p.m. There’s water and cooking equipment, but the ovens were very dirty and didn’t look like they were cleaned often. Tea and coffee are only available from 8 to 10 p.m., which felt stingy. Other hostels in central Kyoto or Osaka cost less and provide drinks all day. The nearest convenience stores are about 15 minutes away, which might feel a bit scary at night. I’d stay here only to disconnect and stay in most of the time, or if you’re planning to visit arashiyama.

Loved the posh atmosphere, clean comfortable beds and especially the breakfast, which was a real treat. It’s a hostel, but somehow also isn’t. The sleep situation was rough. I shared with three others. Two went to bed early, then the last person arrived around 11ish and made a lot of rustling noise. Once he settled, the guy in the bunk just below me started snoring so loudly the bed vibrated. I could actually feel it, like a wild boar. They also asked for the accommodation tax at check-in. Please ask for it when I book instead. And if you offer a place to bathe, towels should be free or included in the booking. I wouldn’t book again, even if I had lots of money. They don’t provide what I consider basic things.

A real hidden gem, clean and well maintained, with staff who are very helpful. It has a comfortable feel and traditional Japanese design inside and out. I’d recommend renting a battery-powered bicycle to explore.

The place feels more like a hotel than a hostel, and the grounds are beautiful. It’s a fair distance from the city, but a direct bus stops right outside, which is handy. Staff weren’t especially welcoming, though they weren’t rude either; the neutral attitude felt a little odd for a hostel but didn’t make the stay bad. The rooms were very clean and had a nice patio outside. The beds weren’t comfortable, and the sheets didn’t fit the comforter well, though overall the room was okay. If you’re traveling solo hoping to meet people and make friends, this probably isn’t the spot. In summer, the patio would be a lovely place to sit. I’d recommend staying here in Kyoto.