Guesthouse KINGYOYA — Hotel in Kyoto

A Japanese friend recommended this place, which was good value with breakfast and all. The staff were very helpful in general, in a very particular Japanese way, careful and by the rules, strictly following hours, but very kind. No complaints about the strand. There's definitely a historic charm about the place and it was interesting to partake it, but I found it hard work to stay there and I unfortunately wouldn't stay again due to inconveniences and annoyances.||I found it too far from town, if it's your first visit to Kyoto and you want to see the town center and the famous shrines. Our cab drivers had a hard time finding it, and it was 15 minutes by cab from the nearest subway/train station, a not very central station, and about $12 to get from central Kyoto. We got use to the bus system, not staying out too late or risk missing public transportation. ||The bathroom being outside while it was cold and rainy was a drag, especially after late long bus rides back to the ryokan. Having to turn the heat on in a very cold room (it's an old house and they require that you turn off the heat when you leave), running through a cold building to a cold courtyard to a cold bathroom but warm toilet seat was not my cup of tea. The water to wash your hands from the toilet is freezing, the hand towel wet, and no soap. I had to duck into the shower room to get warm water. I wanted a hot water bottle but never made it back from dinner by 9 to get one. My partner said that the men's toilet smells unpleasant. My sister said it's like historic camping.||The entry way and exterior are nice but although they are clean, things are a little shabby, with old worn cushions, faded tatami mats, wall paper on the doors are bubbling, scraped/stained walls. There were cute elements around the place, but our bedroom was a little threadbare and not so charming compared to other ryokans where I have stayed all over Japan. Having to make up your bed, dragging futons, putting in sheets, etc. was not how I wanted to be spending my time after a long day of travel. In my last 2 ryokans, they made the bed up for us. ||It rained during our stay and there was an incessant loud dripping sound coming from the gutter that I could not sleep through. It sounded like a drum roll. Eventually had to move into the living room area of our room to sleep and shut the door. ||I feel badly writing this review, but I wish someone had told me that it's not that great unless you want to stay right in this neighborhood where there's a famous public bath and is mostly residential.||Another reviewer said it was in walking distance to Arashiyama. I don't consider 1 hour 45 min. walking distance! It's not close to much. ||We also didn't find the other guests very friendly. They mostly avoided eye contact and kept very quiet, as that's the vibe here.||I couldn't...

A Japanese friend recommended this place, which was good value with breakfast and all. The staff were very helpful in general, in a very particular Japanese way, careful and by the rules, strictly following hours, but very kind. No complaints about the strand. There's definitely a historic charm about the place and it was interesting to partake it, but I found it hard work to stay there and I unfortunately wouldn't stay again due to inconveniences and annoyances.||I found it too far from town, if it's your first visit to Kyoto and you want to see the town center and the famous shrines. Our cab drivers had a hard time finding it, and it was 15 minutes by cab from the nearest subway/train station, a not very central station, and about $12 to get from central Kyoto. We got use to the bus system, not staying out too late or risk missing public transportation. ||The bathroom being outside while it was cold and rainy was a drag, especially after late long bus rides back to the ryokan. Having to turn the heat on in a very cold room (it's an old house and they require that you turn off the heat when you leave), running through a cold building to a cold courtyard to a cold bathroom but warm toilet seat was not my cup of tea. The water to wash your hands from the toilet is freezing, the hand towel wet, and no soap. I had to duck into the shower room to get warm water. I wanted a hot water bottle but never made it back from dinner by 9 to get one. My partner said that the men's toilet smells unpleasant. My sister said it's like historic camping.||The entry way and exterior are nice but although they are clean, things are a little shabby, with old worn cushions, faded tatami mats, wall paper on the doors are bubbling, scraped/stained walls. There were cute elements around the place, but our bedroom was a little threadbare and not so charming compared to other ryokans where I have stayed all over Japan. Having to make up your bed, dragging futons, putting in sheets, etc. was not how I wanted to be spending my time after a long day of travel. In my last 2 ryokans, they made the bed up for us. ||It rained during our stay and there was an incessant loud dripping sound coming from the gutter that I could not sleep through. It sounded like a drum roll. Eventually had to move into the living room area of our room to sleep and shut the door. ||I feel badly writing this review, but I wish someone had told me that it's not that great unless you want to stay right in this neighborhood where there's a famous public bath and is mostly residential.||Another reviewer said it was in walking distance to Arashiyama. I don't consider 1 hour 45 min. walking distance! It's not close to much. ||We also didn't find the other guests very friendly. They mostly avoided eye contact and kept very quiet, as that's the vibe here.||I couldn't...

We stayed here 4 nights in January and had a wonderful time. The ryokan is tucked away in a neighborhood a little far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto (about a 45 minute bus ride or a 20 minute cab). But surrounding area is very picturesque and noted a number of sites within walking distance (Golden Temple, Funaoka Onsen, Arashiyama). Having breakfast in the morning with the other visitors was a great experience (mainly Japanese tourists). The inn keepers were extremely nice and accommodating. They'll say their English isn't good, but we didn't have any problems communicating. Given that this is a very old, historic building - there is no central heating. Although it was very cold this time of the year, we were given very warm blankets and a good sized heater that made the room very cozy. One note to point out - there are also no private bathrooms. They are on located on the first floor outside. A little daunting at first in the winter, but the seats are heated (thank you Japan!) and there's a heater in the room before the shower....