English-speaking staff, comfortable, convenient, and an unbeatable location at an equally unbeatable price, Kyoto Hana Hostel has it all!
Located in the heart of Kyoto just 5 minutes from Kyoto station, Kyoto Hana Hostel is truly a foreigner’s best way to see Kyoto (I’ve got to stop saying Kyoto).
On the first day of my working holiday adventure in Japan, I booked myself the cheapest possible accommodation I could find, and surprisingly, it was this gem in the best possible location.
The staff here were incredibly welcoming, and their English can only be described as flawlessly fluent, which is a huge help if you’re still brushing up your Japanese.
On that note, they do a great job of matching your level of Japanese proficiency and giving you opportunities to practice speaking in an encouraging environment.
Separate Male And Female Dormitories
The hostel is filled with little gems that help ease first-time visitors to Japan into the culture and vibe of the country. Separated into male and female dormitories, they use clever naming conventions like Fuji and Sakura, probably to convey the idea that men are “strong like a mountain” and women are “pretty like a flower” (talk about a confidence boost!).
The rooms are filled with wooden bunk beds and floors that give off a camper’s vibe but don’t worry, you get plenty of privacy with the provided curtains!
Your bed is essentially your room, complete with space on the sides to store your luggage and cabinets to lock up your valuables and belongings. There is also a lamp and power sockets to charge your electronic devices.
If you’re staying with your partner, you could opt to book one of the private rooms for a higher price, giving you sufficient space for couples and families.
Awesome Bathroom Facilities
No accommodation is complete without a clean and well-maintained bathroom facility, and Kyoto Hana Hostel certainly delivers on this front! Multiple showers and toilets can be found on every floor and each toilet seat is equipped with the classic bidet technology, a staple of Japanese bathrooms.
Furthermore, there are plenty of body soaps, shampoos, and conditioners available in each shower, and you also have access to hair dryers and power plugs in the sink area.
The cherry on top is that the water from these sinks is absolutely safe to drink, with an official label indicating so. This makes it easy to fill up your water bottle without having to go up and down the stairs to the kitchen area.
Fantastic All-Purpose Common Area!
That brings us to the last point, the common area! Kyoto Hana Hostel has a cozy living area that consists of all your necessities from kitchen appliances to workspaces and an entertainment area featuring a TV, magazines, and board games.
I personally made great use of the desk space for writing my articles. There are plenty of power sockets to keep your laptop and phone charged and there is a Wi-Fi router on every floor to ensure your internet connection is smooth and stable.
Overall, Kyoto Hana Hostel is a great place to “get your feet wet” in Japan and enjoy easy access to all of Kyoto’s major attractions. It’s also a wonderful place for meeting fellow travelers and making new friends!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!