HATSUNE GUESTHOUSE — Hotel in Kyoto

I had a lovely long stay in Kyoto at Hatsune. Kevin, the host, was incredibly helpful, kind and spoke English fluently. Even before I arrived, he communicated with me when I had questions, and I was able to have a package delivered to the guesthouse before my arrival. Kevin provided information about local activities as well. So lovely!

Room: Spacious considering Japanese space. Two rooms (one for rest and the second for lounging). It was very charming and I loved the tatami mats. There are hangers for your clothes, but no real dresser. Also, there is only one sink. The space by the one sink is next to the induction stove. A bit cramped and barely room for toiletries. Maybe more baskets or shelves? With the induction stove, it was nice to have so I could boil water for tea or coffee. Cups and kettle provided. No other cooking appliances.

What's provided: Basic amenities like towel, toothbrush, comb, and shampoo/conditioner/body wash. The lobby had tea, coffee packets and water bottles to grab.

Location: Walking distance to the train station and bus stops. One block away from the Kamo River and near the local sento, craft pubs, and coffee shops. (If you take a taxi be aware they may not drop you in front. The street in front is tiny. You'll need to pick diagonally from guesthouse by the sento or community center).

Things to note: Mosquitos. (Kevin was generous and provided bug spray, but with a stream in front and river in back, be mindful.)

Bonus: I had family drop in, and Kevin was very accommodating. Later, when I checked out, he brought me to the station for free.

I enjoyed everything about my stay. I would highly...

I found this stay on Google maps and decided to choose it over a traditional hotel after seeing such great reviews. After my four nights here I can confirm that I also had a great experience at the Hatsune Guesthouse.

The location is on the river on a quiet neighborhood. It's a short walk to subway/bus stops, and a 20 minute walk into the center of town. There are two different laundromats within a 3 minute walk. And a public onsen at the end of the block. The host, Kevin, was very communicative and seemed genuinely happy to help with any questions we had. He really sought to make us feel at home and made our time in Kyoto extra special. He even offered to drop us off at the train station after check out.

Our room was the most spacious one we’ve stayed in out of the 4 accommodation we booked for our Japan trip. Our room had two individual twin sized beds, but I’m pretty sure there are rooms with Queen beds too. There were some mosquitoes in the room when we first arrived but that’s expected since it was right on the river. We kept the windows closed to prevent more from entering and I didn’t get bit once during our stay. That’s a big deal for me because I’m a mosquito magnet! I would advise on bringing an eye mask since the windows are traditionally constructed and lots of light comes through in the morning. Very normal for Japan so we came prepared.

We would 100% stay here again and will recommend to...

During my trip to Kyoto, I was truly fortunate to stay at this guesthouse—it exceeded all my expectations and perfectly captured my vision of an ideal retreat. The setting was serene and beautiful, with a spotlessly clean and cozy room where every detail felt thoughtfully arranged. But the most unforgettable part was the view: in the morning, I opened the window to see Kiyomizu-dera Temple faintly outlined in the mist, while the gentle sound of the stream below lulled me to sleep at night. To my delight, fireflies even graced the garden one evening, making it feel like a scene from a fairy tale. What truly elevated the experience was the warm hospitality of Kevin, the owner. Not only was he kind and attentive, but he also helped me with my luggage and even went out of his way to drive me to my next hotel. His genuine care made me feel at home. I’ll choose this guesthouse again on my next visit to Kyoto, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow travelers seeking both quality and heartfelt service. Thank you for such...