2-Star Hotels in Kyoto

As solo traveller it was perfect :) stayed on the second floor, they carried my huge luggage to my room when I was outside and came back for the check-in (storage before was okay!) - everything was really clean and quiet, besides of my room they were only two another rooms on the 2nd floor (was a bless after my 2 week stay in Osaka when I had several neighbors) and also two toilets and one shower room on the same floor, including a shared room with fridge, microwave, water kettle and utensils for heating up food which you can use and they'll clean it for you. Last day before checkout it was raining and I could lent their umbrella at the entry for free too. For my stay the location was good, 20 minute footwalk to the city centre or many bus options. And thanks a lot to the owner/women who just spoke Chinese to me, felt quite familiar!

I had a very nice stay :) However, there were some drawbacks. 1. The bed curtains don’t close all the way, but leaves cracks where light can seep into the room. As the corridor between bunks/rooms is lit 24/7 this was a bit annoying. 2. The curtains do not offer any soundproofing and neither do the walls. I heard people pulling up their duvet, shifting in bed, snoring etc. The curtains themselves were also very noisy. 3. The bathroom door does have a ”slow stop” but it just gives a false sense of security. As the bathroom door will slide back into place after use most people just dropped it, however, what they failed to remember was that at the end of the rail the door still hits the wall with a resounding bonk and bounces back to repeat itself. I awoke startled multiple times, as it sounded as if someone was knocking to get into my room. 4. The automatic lock on the main bedroom door is also very loud, but you don’t get the knocking-like sound of the bathroom door. Sound-wise; the complimentary earplugs were great saviors. 5. The only showers are on the 4th floor. This was inconvenient for me as I had to juggle pjamas, a toiletries bag, bathroom slippers and towels from my floor. However, I think this is easy enough to fix; just provide the lower rooms with a basket to carry stuff in. All in all I had a great stay! The hotel is super close to landmarks as Nishiki Market and Kyoto museum so I could always find my way back. The shared areas were also spotless and included great amenities. The staff is super kind as well. It seems like their making the common area even bigger!

This hotel is conveniently located near Kyoto Station, about a 500-meter walk. It has many rooms and great facilities, especially the spacious common areas perfect for chatting and dining with friends. If you enjoy meeting new people, I highly recommend this place as guests come from all over the world. I stayed here for four days during Kyoto's Gion Matsuri, which was bustling every day. Even though I was exhausted from sightseeing, it was always relaxing to return to the hotel and chat with friends.

This stay was truly excellent. The hotel's location is incredibly convenient, right near Kyoto Shijo, surrounded by a bustling commercial district with several large malls. There are tons of dining and shopping options, and it's a short walk to the Kamo River, perfect for daytime browsing and evening strolls. There's a bus stop right outside the hotel and a subway entrance nearby, making it easy to get to all the main attractions – transport is absolutely hassle-free. The hotel itself is very clean and well-maintained daily. Both the public areas and rooms are kept in great condition. The complimentary toiletries are incredibly comprehensive; besides the usual shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, they also provide makeup remover, facial cleanser, toner, and lotion, so you can essentially pack light. There's also a dedicated water and lounge area with a smart beverage machine offering free coffee, tea, and other drinks. The public dining area is handy if you buy food from a convenience store. Even though it's a capsule hotel, the internal design is very well thought out – it's small but has everything you need. Inside the capsule, you can adjust the lighting and air conditioning, there are plenty of charging ports, and even a small TV. It was much more comfortable than I expected. Every day, fresh towels, slippers, and other amenities are neatly placed under the bed, so you don't have to go collect them, which is a very thoughtful detail. Sleeping was generally quiet; there was hardly any noise inside the hotel. Occasionally, I'd hear motorcycles speeding by outside at night, but it didn't last long and didn't significantly affect my rest. Check-in and check-out are self-service, making the process quick and easy. The hotel also has a washer-dryer combo, which is incredibly convenient for travelers on a longer trip, and lockers for luggage storage. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the location, transportation convenience, facilities, and cleanliness – it offers fantastic value for money. For solo travelers or those on a budget who still want a comfortable stay, this hotel is highly recommended. I'll definitely choose to stay here again next time I'm in Kyoto.

Having stayed in Arashiyama already for 1 day at another nearby hotel, I hadn’t anticipated liking the area so much. I located Mulan Hotel and stayed in the dorm bed for 2 nights. Being the only guest there, the beds and common areas (such as bathrooms, kitchen etc) were clean. They had access to a washing machine and dryer which was appreciated after 2 weeks of travel. Presented with a discount coupon for the neighbourhood onsen, 2 minutes walk from the hotel is a must! They also have bikes for hire, which made exploring the local area and neighbourhood really enjoyable. Price is great for those on a budget. The bus stop to return to Kyoto Station is 80m from the front entrance. Be mindful its 15-20 minute walk to the major sites and main restaurants. Staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommended and I look forward to my visit there again soon!

My stay at Utano Youth Hostel was absolutely fantastic—it ended up being my favorite hostel in Japan. Everything here is incredibly well thought out and maintained. The toilets and facilities are spotless, and you can really tell that cleanliness and organization are a top priority. The common areas are spacious and welcoming, and the view is simply stunning. I especially loved the kitchen—it’s very clean, well-equipped, and carefully organized, with pots, chopsticks, and everything you need clearly provided. Breakfast was another highlight. It was delicious and came with a variety of side dishes, making it a great way to start the day. One more bonus is the free hot bath, which was such a relaxing treat after a long day of exploring. The only downside is the location—it’s about an hour away from the city by bus, or you can switch to the JR line partway through the journey. However, for me, the peaceful environment and quality of the hostel made it completely worth it. I truly loved this hostel and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and memorable stay in Japan.

The room was just like in the other review photos. It was clean and the bed was comfortable, but the towels in the room were quite old and frayed. You should bring your own towels. We stayed in December. The room was only warm in the bedroom where the heater could be turned on; other areas were cold. After 9 PM, the toilet seat became very cold, as if it were timed, and the heated seat didn't work. It was inconvenient to use the bathroom late at night; your bottom would be cold. Also, you should know that there is no elevator, and the stairs are quite high. If you have heavy luggage, it will be difficult. And if you want to leave your luggage after check-out, there is a charge of ¥300/piece, and the reception is closed from 12 PM to 3 PM, so they cannot accept luggage during that time. That's not very convenient.

This time I chose an apartment-style hotel, which is about a 1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Line and a 2-3-minute walk from the Kinkakuji/Kiyomizu-dera bus stop. It is very convenient to reach various attractions. There are FamilyMart, 7-11, McDonald's, and supermarkets nearby. The room is spacious 👍, with kitchen utensils, oven, microwave, washer and dryer, electronic scale...all available. There is a large table in the room, which is a place where our family of five can go home every day to have late night snacks without being crowded. The teenagers enjoyed their stay very much and will choose this place again next time they visit Kyoto👍.

Great location that's within walking distance to Fushimi Inari Taisha and multiple stations. There's a konbini and a lovely bakery next door called ”Boo” that has the most amazing bread and pastries. The location is not a full serviced hotel. You cannot use Yamato to forward your luggage here UNLESS you are present during the delivery window to receive your luggage. There is also no room service or cleaning. Our room is a Western style room with 2 full sized beds. The blinds and windows were a bit dirty. The futon couch didn't come with a cover or sheets so it cannot be used as a bed. It was also very filty and stained. The bathroom was so tiny that you could barely stand inside. When seated at the toilet, my knees touched the wall and I'm a short and only 155cm tall. The shower tub was equally tiny. Please beware if you're a taller person. It is very uncomfortable. Our faucet was also constantly leaking. We tried to add the host on WhatsApp (no profile found) to inform them but was unable to get ahold of them. The facilities had a kitchnette on the top floor and washing machines as well. They provide detergent. However, in order to fully dry our laundry, we had to hang the clothes on the hangers in the room and there wasn't enough hangers to accomodate all of our clothes. The walls, floors, and ceilings are very thin so you can hear other guests talking and walking. It's a good no frills stay but be warned that it's not the most luxurious or quiet.

There are plenty of conveniently located power outlets and light switches by the bed. The reception/front desk staff are very friendly and helpful. The location is excellent, with convenience stores, good restaurants, and public transport connections all within walking distance. There's a cafe directly downstairs that also serves decent food. The kitchen is also equipped with everything essential.