Cheap accommodation in Kyoto
Sep 22, 2008 | 6:14 am
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New York, New York, United States
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Cheap accommodation in Kyoto
Hi,
Can somebody recommend cheap (below 100$ per person per night) accommodation in Kyoto, preferably traditional. I know that this has been discussed numerous times here, its just difficult to find recommendation based on the price....
Thanks a lot!
Can somebody recommend cheap (below 100$ per person per night) accommodation in Kyoto, preferably traditional. I know that this has been discussed numerous times here, its just difficult to find recommendation based on the price....
Thanks a lot!
Sep 22, 2008 | 6:53 am
#2
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You don’t appear to be taking in much of the advice from this forum.
Here’s a very recent thread discussing traditional lodging options in Kyoto
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=860226
This post in particular sums up the lodging situation in Kyoto
Those wanting to spend under $100 a night (each) are not well served when it comes to traditional accommodation in this city.
Diane Durston (a highly respected writer on Kyoto) recommends these:
Kiyomizu Sanso
3 Sisters Inn Annex
Otherwise, unless you are looking for hostel type room (typically 3 tatami mats and a thin futon with shared toilets and showers/baths somewhere such as Kyoto Tour Club) I strongly suggest not to bother looking for Japanese style lodging in Kyoto – do that elsewhere where the premium isn’t so high.
The Kyoto Garden Hotel underwent a facelift recently (newer, ‘fresher’ bedding) – this is in a good location and provides excellent value.
keihin_242 posted a link recently which leads to this hotel http://kyoto.ark-hotel.co.jp/index02.html (rooms for 2 from 10,000yen)
Here’s a very recent thread discussing traditional lodging options in Kyoto
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=860226
This post in particular sums up the lodging situation in Kyoto
Sure. A hotel will charge what the market supports. To that extent, Kyoto follows the same rules as Paris and the rest of the world. Kyoto is a popular destination with a finite number of hotel rooms...
But the prices of traditional inns (ryokan) in Kyoto get a bit of a special boost, because many people specifically want to stay at a traditional Japanese inn when they visit Kyoto. They're less interested in a bland hotel room. They want to do the traditional thing. As a result, they end up paying a premium for being in a touristy town and a premium for doing the touristy thing in a touristy town.
IME the ordinary hotels in Kyoto don't command such a premium. People are more rational about the cost performance of the Westins / Hyatts / Granvias etc. For this reason, I think that it's a mistake to say that "you get what you pay for" with regard to ryokan in Kyoto.
As for Hakone... nice lake and a view of Fuji. But the Hakone premium is really a function of the resort's proximity to the big city. If you're a stressed out Tokyoite with little leisure time, you're happy to pay for a resort that's easy to reach. But if you're a tourist with a JR pass and time to explore the country, why would you want to pay a "Tokyo's doorstep" premium?
If one wants to experience ryokan in Kyoto and Hakone, then Hakone and Kyoto are the only places to realize that dream. But if one wants to experience the best ryokan at the price point one can afford... and the price point that one can afford is not $1,000+ per night.... Kyoto and Hakone are not the places to do it.
But the prices of traditional inns (ryokan) in Kyoto get a bit of a special boost, because many people specifically want to stay at a traditional Japanese inn when they visit Kyoto. They're less interested in a bland hotel room. They want to do the traditional thing. As a result, they end up paying a premium for being in a touristy town and a premium for doing the touristy thing in a touristy town.
IME the ordinary hotels in Kyoto don't command such a premium. People are more rational about the cost performance of the Westins / Hyatts / Granvias etc. For this reason, I think that it's a mistake to say that "you get what you pay for" with regard to ryokan in Kyoto.
As for Hakone... nice lake and a view of Fuji. But the Hakone premium is really a function of the resort's proximity to the big city. If you're a stressed out Tokyoite with little leisure time, you're happy to pay for a resort that's easy to reach. But if you're a tourist with a JR pass and time to explore the country, why would you want to pay a "Tokyo's doorstep" premium?
If one wants to experience ryokan in Kyoto and Hakone, then Hakone and Kyoto are the only places to realize that dream. But if one wants to experience the best ryokan at the price point one can afford... and the price point that one can afford is not $1,000+ per night.... Kyoto and Hakone are not the places to do it.
Diane Durston (a highly respected writer on Kyoto) recommends these:
Kiyomizu Sanso
3 Sisters Inn Annex
Otherwise, unless you are looking for hostel type room (typically 3 tatami mats and a thin futon with shared toilets and showers/baths somewhere such as Kyoto Tour Club) I strongly suggest not to bother looking for Japanese style lodging in Kyoto – do that elsewhere where the premium isn’t so high.
The Kyoto Garden Hotel underwent a facelift recently (newer, ‘fresher’ bedding) – this is in a good location and provides excellent value.
keihin_242 posted a link recently which leads to this hotel http://kyoto.ark-hotel.co.jp/index02.html (rooms for 2 from 10,000yen)
Last edited by LapLap; Sep 22, 2008 at 7:30 am
Sep 22, 2008 | 7:12 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Also, you may want to browse ryokans for their details, locations, etc with the link in this post.
IMHO JPY7000-10000 in Kyoto would be enough for standard ryokan (with dinner and breakfast incl) if you'd like a simple but decent room. Not fancy, though.
Edited to add:
If you're on a budget but still want to try good ryokan and everything, why don't you save by staying at hostels like Uno House or Cheapest Inn, then try the superb ryokan for the last few days?
IMHO JPY7000-10000 in Kyoto would be enough for standard ryokan (with dinner and breakfast incl) if you'd like a simple but decent room. Not fancy, though.
Edited to add:
If you're on a budget but still want to try good ryokan and everything, why don't you save by staying at hostels like Uno House or Cheapest Inn, then try the superb ryokan for the last few days?
Last edited by gura; Sep 22, 2008 at 7:40 am Reason: oh, you knew JGH already.
Sep 22, 2008 | 7:37 am
#4
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I’m curious to know what you consider to be a ‘standard ryokan’, especially if it can be had in Kyoto for between 7-10,000yen.
‘Ryokan’ in itself covers such a broad range of options a definition of ‘standard’ is very hard to grasp as it will vary so much depending on people’s perceptions. For myself – a ‘standard ryokan’ ranges from between 9-10,000 and 15-16,000yen, and from 20,000yen upwards (per person) in particularly coveted areas such as Kyoto.
Sep 22, 2008 | 8:15 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Kyoto, Japan
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OP is travelling in a group of 2-3, and twin/triple occupancy does not necessarily mean x2/x3 room rate. This would expand the options.
Gion Fukuizumi is what I mean by 'standard'. (People may call it 'budget+'
) Starting at JPY 8400 with breakfast.
Yes, Three Sisters Inn Annex is Historic, rather authentic, yet Gaijin-only Ryokan in the OP's price range. Located within a few blocks from Heian Shrine, and is often recommended for ryokan beginner.
FYI, you canNOT book on the web or by email.
And Tomiya is 'budget' at JPY8400+ (with dinner/breakfast).
Gion Fukuizumi is what I mean by 'standard'. (People may call it 'budget+'
) Starting at JPY 8400 with breakfast.Yes, Three Sisters Inn Annex is Historic, rather authentic, yet Gaijin-only Ryokan in the OP's price range. Located within a few blocks from Heian Shrine, and is often recommended for ryokan beginner.
FYI, you canNOT book on the web or by email.
And Tomiya is 'budget' at JPY8400+ (with dinner/breakfast).
Last edited by gura; Sep 22, 2008 at 8:21 am
Sep 22, 2008 | 8:42 am
#6
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Thank you gura!^
The terminology we use is a little different, but we seem to have both been thinking along the same lines. (IMO) The Three Sisters Annex is a perfect example of the kind of traditional lodging available within the OPs budget in Kyoto.
The terminology we use is a little different, but we seem to have both been thinking along the same lines. (IMO) The Three Sisters Annex is a perfect example of the kind of traditional lodging available within the OPs budget in Kyoto.
Sep 22, 2008 | 12:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Are you certain you want to use "traditional" accommodations for your entire stay? Most westerners are happy with a ryokan for a night or two and then more normal hotels for the rest of the time. I certainly do not want to spend more than a night or two on the floor. The cultural experience is fun but there is something to be said for more modern conveniences, too.
If you want to stay in that budget, you might want to spend at least part of your stay in a nice "business" hotel, where rates of <$100/per person per night are more common. There are very expensive hotels in Kyoto but there are also quite comfortable mid-range hotels in your price range. Perhaps staying there at more reasonable rates would permit you to splurge on a few nights in a higher price ryokan.
JR
If you want to stay in that budget, you might want to spend at least part of your stay in a nice "business" hotel, where rates of <$100/per person per night are more common. There are very expensive hotels in Kyoto but there are also quite comfortable mid-range hotels in your price range. Perhaps staying there at more reasonable rates would permit you to splurge on a few nights in a higher price ryokan.
JR
Sep 23, 2008 | 4:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,573
Just wanted to add a comment and say we stayed at the Kyoto Garden in the spring. 6 nights ended up costing us $378.00CDN total for the two of us. Meals not included but decent sized room (IMO). Had everything we needed and pretty central to where we visited. They'll even lend you a free cable modem to hang off the tv for free high speed Internet in the room if you bring your laptop. Friendly enough staff. Helped us forward our bags via Takkyubin. Definitely one of our best value accommodations during our trip.
Oct 12, 2008 | 11:34 am
#10
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How about this ?
Sorry for a late reply.
How about this ?
Guest house Bon
from 3800yen/pPpN (single use)
I have never been here. After some quick searches, I learned the owner had worked as an itamae or a cook for a Japanese restaurant in NY and London before he opened the guesthouse. The 350 yen breakfast has 2 choices of bacon-egg and Japanese.
The guesthouse is a Machiya style traditional building. I could not find this guesthouse on the kyotoguide.com nor on the flyertalk here.
How about this ?
Guest house Bon
from 3800yen/pPpN (single use)
I have never been here. After some quick searches, I learned the owner had worked as an itamae or a cook for a Japanese restaurant in NY and London before he opened the guesthouse. The 350 yen breakfast has 2 choices of bacon-egg and Japanese.
The guesthouse is a Machiya style traditional building. I could not find this guesthouse on the kyotoguide.com nor on the flyertalk here.
Last edited by O Sora; Oct 12, 2008 at 12:07 pm Reason: ayb
Oct 12, 2008 | 12:00 pm
#11
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Apr 24, 2025 | 5:44 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2025
Posts: 2
Three Sisters Inn contact details
Hi All - we stayed in Three Sisters ryokan years ago but I cant seem to find the original email I used to reserve with Kay. Could some helpful soul out there please be kind enough to share their telephone and email address?
thanks in advance!
Ivana-David
thanks in advance!
Ivana-David
Apr 24, 2025 | 8:43 pm
#14
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I stayed at the Kyoto Garden Hotel with my father. Both the Kyoto Garden Hotel and my father are no more.
This year I reserved the Kuretakeso Kiyomizu Gojo Hotel for my mother. Room had a double bed, a small sofa and en-suite bathroom/toilet and, for 3 nights in April, single use, came to 7,000yen a night. Breakfast an extra 1,500yen with other options nearby.
This year I reserved the Kuretakeso Kiyomizu Gojo Hotel for my mother. Room had a double bed, a small sofa and en-suite bathroom/toilet and, for 3 nights in April, single use, came to 7,000yen a night. Breakfast an extra 1,500yen with other options nearby.