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J-Hoppers Kyoto Guest House

Kyoto (Minami-ku), Kyoto, Japan

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Address
51-2, Nakagoryo-cho, Higashikujo, Kyoto (Minami-ku)   Map
Price
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
  • Lounge / Common space
  • TV
  • Book Collection/Exchange
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Travel information provided
  • Bike Rental
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • Air Conditioning
 
The Hostelz.com Review
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


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Ingrid
January 2008
Reasonable
It is close enough to the Kyoto Station, and seems to be in a quiet neighborhood. The staff is friendly, speaks English. Nothing special.
Comment by itching
July 2006
I love this hostel, not only for its cleanliness and convenience but also met great partners here. the owner is cool as well. I got everything I need here except it takes sometime with the clothing dryer. Yet, still five stars and great! Travellers would feel immediately that this hostel is considerate for them once they got in!
Comment by Gia
May 2006
We stayed three nights at the J-Hoppers and it was perfectly acceptable. Clean, the people who worked there were helpful and spoke pretty decent English, and our roommates were friendly and nice. The location is great, two blocks from Kujo subway station and about five from the JR station. The rooms are a little crowded, but hey, it's a hostel. Beware the stairs, though -- we were on the fourth floor and usually already tired by the time we got back.
Comment by Emma
July 2005
What a nice hostel! Staff were very friendly and helpful, one of them even toted my heavy backpack all the way up the stairs for me. Everyone staying there was pretty nice and it was very close to Kyoto central station. It had a lovely cozy lounge area and a cute service of letting you dress up in a kimono and take a picture. The only minor downfalls would be all the stairs (lots) and also we couldn't work the air conditioning.
Comment by Katy
June 2005
J-Hoppers was excellent. The first place I stayed in Japan, it set the bar for comfort and cleanliness. It was also my first meeting with a heated toilet seat... actually it's worth staying just for the toilet! Other than that, the kitchen and living room were great, nice people, the whole shebang. Pretty near the train station.
Comment by Sally
April 2005
I stayed two nights in Sept 04. Very friendly staff and clean facilities. Easy to find and not too far a walk from the train station. I would definitely recommend this hostel.
Comment by Isobertha, Mexico
January 2005
My boyfriend Ruben and I stayed here from December 12 to December 15. This place made us feel at home after we'd spent a long time traveling. Everybody is so gentle, and you can find everything here that you need on your trip. They really know travelers' needs. Thanks for everything.
Comment by Lucy
September 2004
I stayed here in September 2003. It was a very enjoyable experience in what is quite a puzzling country. The hostel was friendly, clean and comfortable. Aki and his staff were very helpful, and they were happy to chat with us and give advice.
Comment by Anonymous
May 2004
This place is just perfect for a two-night stay in Kyoto! It has friendly staff, spacious rooms, and great facilities. There's only one problem - the windows were too thin. I felt like I was sleeping outside on the footpath! Everything else was fine!
Comment by Richard - Adelaide Australia
September 2003
Aki speaks good English and is a really nice guy who has travelled extensively himself. Surroundings are neat and clean with excellent facilities. Location is good. Thoroughly recommended.
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