If you're on a budget and don't want to fork over all your yen to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan, but you still crave authentic, traditional lodging in the city of Kyoto, then Chita Guest Inn is your best alternative.
The bad news -- no English is spoken, except for a few irrelevant words here and there. The good news is that it really doesn't matter because Yumikisan, the house's owner and sole staff, will point and gesture her way to a (sometimes) very enlightening and useful conversation with you. All the signs requesting you to "turn out the light when finished," and so forth are in English anyway.
Chita gives each patron the unique feeling of staying in a real Japanese home. The atmosphere is inviting and cozy but still spacious. The commons areas are downstairs. Free Internet access is available near the front door. Free tea, water, use of the fridge, and a big flat screen TV (all channels in Japanese) are available in the dining room. A small kitchen is available for use but cooking must be "ok'ed" with Yumi first.
One shower room exists and then there is a separate toilet room with two Western style toilets, two Asian-style toilets, and two urinals. There is also a separate area with a very large trough-like sink holding three faucets where you can wash your hands, brush your teeth, or (like someone did while I was there) store your dentures. We were nervous about only one shower room, but it turned out to be no problem. It was always available when we needed it.
The bedrooms have wall to wall tatami mats with each guest receiving one floor pad, one comforter, and a bean bag pillow. Each room has a TV, air conditioning, a place to hang up a few clothes, and (in true zen style) not much else. The floor pads are a little thin and therefore not recommended if you have a bad back. The lock on our door was a joke. We picked it with a bobby pin.
The location is excellent! It's only a ten-minute walk from Kyoto Station. There is an impressive temple across the street. There are bus stops and a subway station (Gojo) three minutes away. When walking from Kyoto Station, keep walking on the main street. Follow the bend in the road (you'll see the temple on your left on the other side of the street). When the road bends again, stay straight on the small road. The Guest Inn is right there on the left. You shouldn't miss it, and you won't regret your choice!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2006
Location/Contact
5 Average from 2 Ratings
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