Pension Kitashirakawa — Hotel in Kyoto

Maybe the other Japanese reviewers here had different expectations or perhaps it has changed dramatically since my visit in 2008, but I had a wonderful experience here. Be prepared to speak Japanese though, as the woman owner and her mother who work together can really only speak Japanese. ||||However, this place is excellent. Comfortable western rooms, great breakfast, great service, and this is in an excellent location. Right on Kitashirakawa there is the best ramen I've ever eaten, and this is within walking distance to Ginkakuji and the "Philosopher's Path" as it's called in English., which is a series of temples and shrines within walking distance from each other. ||||Absolutely one of the most beautiful spots of the city. Everything in the city is just a subway or...

You cannot go in or out after 10:30pm. If you go out and come back later than that you have to wait until morning. They didn't mention that in the description! Also downtown is half an hour away so that takes a while.||You cannot use the bathroom before the evening tome (6:30pm).||Only one toilet (NOT western style) for the entire building, man and women.||Loud metal doors because it's an old building.||Bad sound isolation.||Unhelpful staff.||Strange smell.||TV started playing in the middle of the night (probably the remotes work between rooms)||Some guy entering women's shower while my girlfriend was...

I stayed here for 4 nights with my family while travelling through Japan. On the upside, it is quiet and clean, the beds are comfortable, and the owners kind & helpful. There are communal bathrooms that are traditional Japanese style and as such, you're asked to only shower from 6:30pm to 10:00pm. There is a curphew on the hotel of 10:30pm and the owners lock the front door afterwards. This can be difficult because the hotel is located quite a way outside downtown Kyoto with no train station close by. It is close to the Philosophers Walk and Ginkakuji temple, but everything else is the city is 30+ minutes...