HARUYA Umekoji

The room was the traditional style that my sister and I were looking for when staying at Kyoto. It was so spacious and we had a toilet and sink in our room as well. Showers were outside, but facility was clean and easy to use. It was quite comfortable to sleep on the tatami mats and there was good ventilation in the room. The location was pretty close (17 min walk) to the kyoto station - which is where needed to go to take the shinkasen. Check in and out were quite easy and it was all self done.

The buildings themselves are gorgeous with dark wood and a really cosy feel and communal areas are well stocked and there's enough heaters to keep the living and sleeping spaces warm. I felt safe and comfortable, the sleeping cubical was spacious enough for me (I'm 5'11). Despite the house being old it's exeptionally clean. I didn't interact with any staff whilst I was there, I checked in and out independently, but still felt looked after.

Very nice and old property. the neighbourhood was very nice with a park only a couple minute walk away. the interactions with staff was very good. We asked for another mattress topper and they were put on our beds at no extra cost. would highly recommend.

Located in a wonderful area, HARUYA Umekoji is just a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station. If you’re arriving with luggage, I recommend taking a bus from Kyoto Station to HARUYA Umekoji; you can easily find directions on Google Maps. It’s a great place for travelers to meet people from different countries. I enjoyed talking to several guests and sharing life experiences. It met my expectations overall. However, be aware that it might take some time to get familiar with all the facilities upon arrival, especially if the washing machine is located in a different building. Additionally, it’s not ideal for parents with young children, as the rooms are shared with others and there is no extra space for child care. For parents, I would recommend booking a private room to ensure you have enough space to take care of your children.

We loved the traditional style of the hotel. The atmosphere was very warm and inviting and the location was pretty good as well. Considerably close to the station. We weren't greeted by any of the stuff but an envelope was waiting for us right beside the main entrance, with directions and information. We found the whole process to be convenient and easy to follow. At the small lobby you could find some tea, towels, toothbrushes and a beautiful library. All in all it was a very pleasant stay! ☺️