SAKURA HOUSE KYOTO — Hotel in Kyoto

We rarely write negative reviews, but we decided to do so to inform future guests.

If someone had mentioned that this room (house B) is located on a busy street, I would never have booked it. Even with the window closed, it feels like you're living right on the street.

It's not Sakura's fault that there's a cookie shop directly in front, but it is very disturbing. The staff are constantly going outside to smoke, talk, and laugh loudly. They come and go in their cars many times throughout the day, and they receive many deliveries. Maybe it's not an issue for students who are out from morning to evening, but for us, who wanted to rest a bit and work online, it was really tough.

We also had an issue with Sakura’s housekeeper. He started cleaning at 9 a.m., while we were still sleeping. We tried to come to an arrangement with him, but it felt like he was living with us in the flat. He even came sometimes on Saturdays and Sundays.

The problem is that he's so obsessed with cleaning that he forgets about the guests’ privacy. One day, he threw away some of our products from the bathroom because they were not in our designated compartment (202), but in 201, knowing that we were the only ones in the house at that time. He didn’t talk to us before doing it, and he never apologized afterward. I understand that the culture might be different here, but this was too much. We complained to Sakura’s manager, and he said that this is part of the house rules. At that point, we realized that we were just numbers for them, not people.

One last thing to mention: every morning, we were disturbed by the conversations and laughing of the manager with clients and the housekeeper, as the reception is just below our room.

I won’t even talk about the noisy international students in the building across the very narrow street, leaving their place at night, returning, laughing and speaking loudly till 4am.

We've been traveling for six months across different countries, and this was our worst experience. After just two days, we already wanted to leave, but unfortunately, we had paid for one month in advance.

This place is overrated, just...

It was amazing staying here and so worth it! It was my first time using Sakura house and it was a wonderful experience. I will definitely come back again.

Checking in was smooth, and Gianfranco was so friendly, accommodating, and helpful. I really appreciate them going above and beyond to helping their guests.

ROOM: I was in room 202 and it was a more traditional style so I slept on a futon (sleeping pad) on the ground. It's hard and took a little getting used to but if you want the full experience then do it. The room was also huge for just a simple bedroom so that was a plus. Walls are a bit thin but everyone seemed mostly respectful and quiet.

SHARED SPACE/AMENITIES: Second floor basically has 2 bathrooms for 2 rooms so you could essentially have your own bathroom. Showers are on the first floor and is shared with the whole house. I never had to wait to shower though and it was usually very clean. Kitchen was mostly clean too and was a great space to eat and connect with housemates.

LOCATION: It's in a decent location that's close to the essentials. It's a moderate walk (like 35 minutes) to the Kamo river which i highly recommend spending a lot of time at while you're here. Rent a bike and just bike up and down (I like going north). Also close to the national garden!

Honestly, your experience may depend on your housemates and if you're social or not. I might have gotten very lucky because I met the best people around the world and we had so many good times. It was truly a gift and I hope our paths cross again in the future! If you're a solo traveler, highly recommend staying here and connecting with...

I stayed at Sakura House Kyoto, a beautifully renovated traditional Japanese residence, for almost four months (October 2024 to January 2025) while studying Japanese language and culture. The house has been updated to meet Western standards but still retains its charming local character, which I really appreciated.

My room, the “R-Kura Room,” was tucked away at the back of the property. It was in great condition—very clean, comfortable, and equipped with everything I needed. I shared the common spaces, like the tatami room, living room, kitchen, and laundry, with the guest staying in the main house.

Gianfranco-san, the manager, was fantastic. He was professional, always quick to respond to my requests, and easy to communicate with. One of my favourite things about staying here was having my own little Japanese garden and relaxing in the tatami room when I needed a break from my studies.

The location was incredibly convenient—close to my school, the city centre, Kyoto Station, and even Itami and Kansai airports. Plus, many of Kyoto’s iconic sights were easy to reach on foot, by bus, or by metro.

The only downside was not having Wi-Fi in my room for most of my stay, though the team kept me updated, and it was finally resolved in my last week. Thankfully, the Wi-Fi in the common areas worked perfectly the whole time.

Overall, my stay was wonderful, and I’d highly recommend Sakura House Kyoto, especially for long-term stays. It really added to my unforgettable experience in Kyoto. I’m giving it a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you for making my time in...