A lot of travelers all over the world love Japan (and that includes me, of course!), however one challenge that most travelers encounter is that traveling to Japan can get a little expensive. The train rides and food can take most of our allocated allowances away. While cities like Tokyo and Yokohama give us the big city business-ish vibe, cities like Kyoto gives us the authentic Japanese cultural vibes. Given this is also the rise of the best hostels in Kyoto, Japan to cater the needs of budget travelers in Japan.
But before anything else, here is a simple video vlog compilation I made featuring street clips I took around Tokyo and Yokohama, featuring my ever-so-favorite anime OST song, Sweet Soul Revue by Pizzicato Five:
Also, here are other blog posts I have written so far about Japan:
So, are you looking for the best hostels in Kyoto, Japan, like, right now?
Are you planning a backpacking trip or perhaps you are a solo traveler to Kyoto, Japan? I saw you just Googled “best hostels in Kyoto, Japan”! Kidding! But I’m sure you are looking for a hostel to stay at this point in time. Well, the good news is, I did the research for you and picked the top hostels in Kyoto, Japan that you could choose from! I extracted the basic and essential information for you, and I even compared them side by side! So are you ready to choose your hostel in Kyoto, Japan? Let’s go!
BEST HOSTELS IN KYOTO, JAPAN: SHERLYN’S CRITERIA
Personally, whenever I would visit another city and look for hostels, I usually use the following criteria:
- LOCATION AND DISTANCE FROM LANDMARKS: As a backpacker/solo traveler on a budget, I would choose a hostel that is in a good location because I want to explore the cities by foot as much as possible and have access to basic establishments, such as convenience stores, public transportation, and such.
- DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT: Factors such as time of our flights are important to consider choosing a place to stay vis-a-vis their distance from the airport. Some of us are staying in hostels for a layover and some of us just want to make sure we do not miss our next flights. Also, if we fly in or out at wee hours, public transportation is possibly not available and taxi is our only option, which can be more expensive depending on the distance of out hostels.
- WI-FI CONNECTON: Most of us need an internet connection to do research about places to go and eat and things to do, or update out social media accounts with details from our travels, or connect with our loved ones. Whatever our purposes are, having a wi-fi connection at our hostels is a big factor.
- FREE BREAKFAST: I am a morning person and I need to have breakfast, so this factor personally matters to me. I believe other budget travelers also consider getting their tummies full with a complimentary hostel breakfast before going out to explore the city.
- RESTAURANT/COFFEE SHOP/BAR INSIDE THE HOSTEL: Some of us just wants to have access to these facilities at the comfort of being inside the premises of our hostels (especially after a long day of exploring!).
- FREE BOTTLED WATER: A hydro homie here! This may not be popular in hostels, but most hostels have water dispensers provided but you have to bring your own bottle.
- TOILETRIES: This is a deciding factor to me since as much as possible I don’t want to experience the hassle of bringing in liquids inside my carry-on luggage (only to get confiscated at the airport! Ouch!), so if basic toiletries are available at the hostel, I might only bring what I really need.
- WASHING MACHINE/LAUNDROMAT: Light packers usually bring enough set of clothes, but any type of packer might run out of clean clothes to wear. Hence, it is a big deal for me personally if the hostel has a laundromat or a washing machine.
- ACTIVITIES: Hostels are also places for socialization with other travelers, right? I am an introvert, but if I ran out of things to do or if I feel like socializing or maybe do something inside the hostel, this criteria matters.
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Some hostels offer free airport transfer and we all should maximize this! However if I indicated a ‘yes’ answer for the airport transfer criteria here, please check with the hostel first if it is free or not.
BEST HOSTELS IN KYOTO, JAPAN
So, without further ado, let’s proceed to reviewing and comparing the hostels picked!
WEBASE KYOTO (2-star hostel)
LOCATION
436-1, Iwatoyamacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kawaramachi, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 37 km from Osaka International Airport
- 360 m from Shijo Subway Station
- 440 m from Karasuma Train Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Hanjo Shrine – 80 m
- Ninja Dojo and Store – 200 m
- Nijo Castle – 1.65 km
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 1.9 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 2.55 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | No |
| Bar | No |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Game Room |
| Airport Transfer | No |
RYOKAN HOSTEL GION (3-star hostel)
LOCATION
391-2, Motomachi, Gion, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 38.7 km from Osaka International Airport
- 280 m from Sanjo Keihan Subway Station
- 390 m from Gion Shijo Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Wa Glass – 150 m
- Pagong Gion Store – 160 m
- Kiyomizu Temple – 1.55 km
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 2.03 km
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – 2.1 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | No |
| Bar | No |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Bicycle Rental, Hot Tub |
| Airport Transfer | No |
GRAND-REM KYOTO (5-star hostel)
LOCATION
346, Iseya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, kyoto-shi, Kawaramachi, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 38.1 km from Osaka International Airport
- 420 m from Kawaramachi Subway Station
- 510 m from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Bento&co – 60 m
- Shinkyogoku Street – 60 m
- Nijo Castle – 1.73 km
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – 1.9 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 2.05 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | No |
| Bar | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Massage |
| Airport Transfer | No |
SAMURAI HOME SHIJO OMIYA (2-star hostel)
LOCATION
Shimogyo-ku Shijoomiyacho 27-4 KODO Build. Shijo Omiya 3F, 4F, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 36.6 km from Osaka International Airport
- 40 m from Shijo Omiya Subway Station
- 990 m from Nijojomae Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Sumao – 350 m
- Old Maekowa Residence – 360 m
- Nijo Castle – 1.23 km
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 2.64 km
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – 2.73 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | No |
| Bar | No |
| Kitchen | No |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | Yes |
| Washing Machine | No |
| Activities | No |
| Airport Transfer | No |
SHIKISHIKI HIGASHIMAYA
LOCATION
449-2 Hachiken-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Gion, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 39.2 km from Osaka International Airport
- 40 m from Higashiyama Subway Station
- 990 m from Sanjo Keihan Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Utsuwa Akando – 130 m
- Issaikyozan Kongo-ji Temple – 230 m
- Eikando Zenrinji Temple – 1.58 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 1.59 km
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – 2.13 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | No |
| Bar | No |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | No |
| Activities | Hot Tub |
| Airport Transfer | No |
K’S HOUSE KYOTO – BACKPACKERS HOSTEL (2-star hostel)
LOCATION
418 Nayacho, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kawaramachi, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 36.9 km from Osaka International Airport
- 290 m from Kyoto Shichijo Train Station
- 780 m from Kiyomizu Gojo Train Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Utsuwa Akando – 130 m
- Issaikyozan Kongo-ji Temple – 230 m
- Eikando Zenrinji Temple – 1.58 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 1.59 km
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – 2.13 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | Yes |
| Bar | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Library, Bicycle Rental |
| Airport Transfer | No |
TANAKA GOKURAKUDOU GUESTHOUSE (1-star hostel)
LOCATION
167, Nishisakai-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 36.3 km from Osaka International Airport
- 430 m from Kyoto Train Station
- 730 m from Gojo Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Higashi Honganji – 190 m
- Kyoto Tower – 240 m
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 1.23 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 2.44 km
- Fushimi Inari Shrine – 2.88 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | No |
| Bar | No |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Garden, Bicycle Rental |
| Airport Transfer | No |
PIECE HOSTEL KYOTO (2-star hostel)
LOCATION
21-1, Higashikujo-Higashisanno-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 36.3 km from Osaka International Airport
- 400 m from Kyoto Train Station
- 540 m from Kujo Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Kyoto Avanti – 160 m
- Asty Road – 280 m
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 1.04 km
- Fushimi Inari Shrine – 2.2 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 2.37 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | Yes |
| Bar | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | Yes |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Game Room, Library, Garden, Bicycle Rental |
| Airport Transfer | No |
HOSTEL COCONE KYOTO-STATION (3-star hostel)
LOCATION
136 Shimizucho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 35.7 km from Osaka International Airport
- 590 m from Kyoto Train Station
- 790 m from Toji Train Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Awashima-do Shotoku-ji Temple – 50 m
- Yumekoubou Kyoto Eki-Mae Head Studio – 250 m
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 1.82 km
- Nijo Castle – 3.02 km
- Fushimi Inari Shrine – 3.05 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | Yes |
| Bar | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Bicycle Rental |
| Airport Transfer | No |
MOSAIC HOSTEL KYOTO (2-star hostel)
LOCATION
4-1 Kasuga-cho, Nishikujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- 35.5 km from Osaka International Airport
- 240 m from Toji Train Station
- 430 m from Kujo Subway Station
NEARBY LANDMARKS
- Kyo Tsukimachian – 280 m
- Aeon Mall Kyoto – 290 m
- Sanjusangendo Hall – 1.77 km
- Fushimi Inari Shrine – 2.32 km
- Kiyomizu Temple – 3.1 km
FACILITIES
| Wi-Fi Connection | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No |
| Cafe | Yes |
| Bar | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No |
| Toiletries | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
| Activities | Bicycle Rental, Game Room, Karaoke |
| Airport Transfer | No |
BEST HOSTELS IN KYOTO, JAPAN: COMPARISON
| WeBase Kyoto | Ryokan Hostel Gion | Grand-Rem Kyoto | Samurai Home Shijo Omiya | Shikishiki Higashimaya | K’s House Kyoto – Backpackers Hostel | Tanaka Gokurakudou Guesthouse | Piece Hostel Kyoto | Hostel Cocone Kyoto-Station | Mosaic Hostel Kyoto | |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Breakfast | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Cafe | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bar | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Bottled Water | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Toiletries | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Washing Machine | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Activities | Game Room | Bicycle Rental, Hot Tub | Massage | No | Hot Tub | Library, Bicycle Rental | Garden, Bicycle Rental | Game Room, Library, Garden, Bicycle Rental | Bicycle Rental | Bicycle Rental, Game Room, Karaoke |
| Airport Transfer | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
BEST HOSTELS IN KYOTO, JAPAN: YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WELCOME!
There you have it! I hope you were able to decide by now and book your corresponding chosen hostel in Kyoto, Japan, based on the criteria I picked. Btw, if you think other criteria needs to be included in this list, or if you want me to add more hostels to compare, please let me know! 🙂 Happy travels to Kyoto, Japan and please share me your experiences with your chosen hostel from this list!
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