Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto

An extremely new and somewhat luxurious-feeling large hostel in central Kyoto, Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto delivers a very comfortable stay with most of the amenities one could want in a hostel.

The Location

This hostel is located on the North Side of Kyoto Station, less than a ten-minute walk. This puts it in a convenient location for also walking or taking buses/taxis to the main downtown area. It's on a small side road off Kawaramachidori, which is a main street that runs parallel to the river and leads straight to the downtown entertainment district. The hostel is a large white building with a yellow-painted annex that is very easy to see.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The doors are locked and unlocked by convenient touch-sensitive key cards. There are not lockers in many the rooms, although there is plenty of space to put your things, and generally not too many sketchy people in the hostel. Lockers are available outside the rooms, but you must have your own padlock.

The dormitories mostly have six beds, and private rooms for two or four people can also be arranged at a slightly higher cost, but must be booked well in advance. Japanese-style tatami rooms are also quite nice and can be booked for up to four people. Bathrooms have two sinks and a number of separate toilet and shower facilities. The toilets are all clean and comfortable, and the showers are also clean, with soap dishes and sufficient private space outside the shower for changing clothes. Towels can be rented for a small cost.

Common Spaces

The second floor features a very large open space, with many couches and coffee tables, inexpensive coin-operated internet terminals, a large dining table, a Japanese-style table space, and a glass wall with a view onto the surrounding old Japanese style buildings in the neighborhood. There is also a large adjacent patio with a couple tables, which makes a great place to relax with a view of the old Kyoto buildings. The lounge also has a large kitchen with three refrigerators and plenty of space for many people to do their cooking at the same time.

Additionally, there is a bar/cafe "Zen Cafe" on the ground floor which serves all-you-can-eat breakfast until late morning. It is a good place to meet other travelers in the evening with reasonably-priced drinks until closing at about midnight. The hostel has potential to be a party hostel, but since the bar scene downtown is fantastic and goes all night, that's where most party people spend the later hours.

The feeling of the hostel is very casual, comfortable, clean, and safe. Smoking is not allowed in the building, but may be ok on the patio. The staff are well trained to provide assistance in English or Japanese; they also sell the Kyoto All-Day Bus Pass at reception, which saves you a trip to the station and allows you to hop on any bus at any bus stop. They have a free, organized system to store luggage for guests before check-in or after check-out. Good bicycles can also be rented at a fair price, and there are plenty of bikes available, as you will see them all lined up outside reception. Kyoto is a great city to tour by bike.

Summary

For amenities and location, it's hard to beat K's House. Party people and relaxed travelers alike will generally be very pleased staying here. If there is any criticism, it might be that the new, large modern building doesn't fit Kyoto's classic, subdued style (in the same way that some Japanese people complain about the giant, modern Kyoto Station being a poor fit for this classic city at the heart of Japanese culture). But lots of Japanese people also admire the sleek construction of the Station, and similarly most travelers will appreciate the facilities and amenities at this modern hostel.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
June 2008