The J-Hoppers house in Kyoto is located a short walking distance from Kyoto station. The hostel is in the less "happening" direction from the station, but it's very close to the main subway line into central Kyoto, and a late-night ramen shop. Then thin building may not look like large hostel you're trying to find, so keep your eyes peeled for this tall, slender building. A cab ride might be needed if coming back late from the bar areas.
The reception is very helpful, with all sorts of information about things to do in Kyoto, and good language skills. The building itself, a very narrow, five-story box, may be bothersome to those who don't like stairs. The kitchen is nice and spacious though, with plenty of refrigerator space and kitchen utensils to cook up anything. They also have a couple internet terminals -- not quite enough, but they charge by the minute so there's motivation to keep sessions short.
The hostel is used by Japanese travelers, international travelers, and foreigners who live elsewhere in Japan (often teaching English), so it's a good place to trade stories and hear a lot of interesting information. The third floor common lounge is usually abuzz, especially in the evening, and has four comfy couches and a table with a window onto the street below. There is an inexpensive beer machine there which saves trips to the convenience store. Hostelers often meet here and chat before going out to see one of Kyoto's hundreds of attractions or hitting the nightlife.
Bedrooms are a good size and the beds are reasonably comfortable. The pillows are of quite good quality. They have heating and AC in all of the rooms, and plenty of bathrooms and showers so that there should rarely be a wait -- just a little squeezing through narrow hallways.
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
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