Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto

If you are going to stay in Kyoto, and you do not want to schmooze with the Five Star experiance, but also do not want to settle for dark and smelly accomodations, however cultural, then K's House is definitely the best place to go. You will meet friendly people from all over the world, and perhaps you will meet some mates to go for day trips with.

Located within comfortable walking distance from Kyoto Central Train Station, you walk by Kyoto Tower and past a few コンビに and there you are. There is a sento (bath house) across the quaint street, a bucket of umbrellas out front (please only take your own), 24 hour laundry access, ample public areas for guests and guests of guests, bikes to rent by the hour or by the day, and very friendly and helpful staff. Actually the staff generally rock!!

For the price that you pay to stay at K's, its hard to imagine how any other hostel can continue to stay in business when trying to compete. There is an answer however. Due to the popularity of K;s House, it is usually booked 2-3 months in advance, so book fast and book early. You really will not want to stay anywhere else once you have stayed at K's.

I was sleeping when my roommates came in at 3am, a couple of drunk and giggly Aussie girls, and they did not know how to make their beds. Tired and inebriated, it took them a bit to make their beds and get settled in. As far as the inconvenience, it wasnt something that i couldnt deal with hahaha. K's offers 24 hour service and accomidations, and most people will make use of it. Laundry and showers and the public areas are also open 24 hours, and is a real convenience to wayward travellers. A lot of japanese also use K's house which gives it the local gold star seal of approval.

Access to the local buslines and subway are close by. They also have locations in Tokyo, and Kawaguchi-ko (at the base of Mt Fuji). I highly reccomend them for any leg of your trip, to any flavor of travellers. You will not be dissapointed.

Enjoy!!

K's Backpacker Hostel is a big place, great to meet people. The common area has a mess of comfortable couches and tables and a big kitchen, pretty good sprawl. The rooms are a bit stuffy and musty and the front entry way and some of the rooms have an odor that I'm learning associate with hostels in Asia -- that of stinky feet. (Ew.) All in all, a good place to stay.

*Note: this review is based on my experiences before the new large extension that has been built recently*

Reasonably near the large JR Station and central areas, like its Tokyo cousin, K's House in Kyoto is set away from the main road down a poky back road which adds to its charm.

Staff were polite and very helpful, especially in guiding us to where we could hire bikes after all the Hostel's bikes had been hired out.

All in all, superb value for money!