IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL: A Chic Budget Hostel in a Great Location
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CONTENTS
A Hostel & Cafe
So the JAPANKURU team went to Kyoto, and we had an amazing time! (We found the origin of fortune cookies, which is surprisingly in Japan! And we headed to Arashiyama, to get ourselves a healthy dose of Rilakkuma in the mountains of Kyoto.) But when we found out that there was a new branch of IMANO Hostel opening in Kyoto, we knew we had to check it out. After all, we've visited a few of the IMANO Hostels before. The branch in Osaka, and the two in Tokyo's Shinjuku and Ginza, were all super nice places to stay! We had some idea that this branch would be pretty sleek as well, so off we went, to see what the Kyoto Kiyomizu hostel was all about.
IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL
When backpackers imagine a hostel, the first image to come to mind might not be all that great. But Japan, especially Japan's hospitality sector, really prioritizes clean and stylish accommodation. A stay at IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL is a unique experience, with its stylish touches, social atmosphere, and wealth of special Kyoto elements around the hostel.
The IMANO Hostels always include a comfortable space for relaxation as part of their series of youth hostels, making good use of their lobbies. These spaces give travelers a great place to enjoy breakfast or dinner, or just a cup of coffee. The hostels will even sometimes host a variety of fun activities, which are great for visitors looking to make some new friends, or just have a good time. Travelers who are interested in such events can check out the schedules on their website!
🍞Breakfast: 7:30am～10am
☕Cafe: 11am～2pm (last order 1:30pm)
🍺Bar: 5pm～10pm (last order 9:30pm)
Panini: 400 yen, Coffee: 350 yen
Lots of hostels provide you with a bed, and a shower, and not much else. IMANO KYOTO, on the other hand, has all of the facilities you'd hope for at a hotel, without the price tag! There's a table to eat your own food at, and you can store extra food or drinks in the refrigerator. And if you're in the mood for a relaxing bath, you can just head right to the basement! There's even a little coin-laundry room that you can use at your leisure, complete with washer and dryer. The laundry room is placed quite conveniently next to the area with the fridge, so there's a place for you to sit and wait while you clean your clothes.
If there's anything you forgot at home, the hostel also has a variety of supplies available either for free, or for a small fee. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are free to use, while there's a small charge for things like ear plugs, towels, toothbrushes, or razors.
A place to eat, and to store your food.
Your tub awaits!
Instax film, toothbrush/hairbrush sets, and laundry detergent, available for purchase.
There are showers on every floor, so no need to run around the hostel searching for them.
Look how sparkling clean everything is! Color us impressed, especially in such a reasonable hostel.
Room Types
IMANO KYOTO has a few different dorm-type rooms, with different numbers of beds, along with a few private options as well!
Family Room (4 beds) ～ ￥12,000/Room (~$105)
5 Bed Room
Rooms with five beds are available exclusively on the ladies floors. Generally, you just book beds in these rooms individually. If you're thinking about traveling as a group of five ladies and want to share one room, though, you should just give the hostel a call! They might be able to work something out for you.
5 Persons Room (Dormitory) ～ ￥3,900/Person (~$34)
💡WOMEN'S ONLY DORMITORY ROOM
6 Bed Room
These dormitory-style rooms are available on both co-ed and women-only floors!
6 Persons Room (Dormitory) ～ ￥3,700/Person (~$32)
6 Persons Women's Room (Dormitory) ～ ￥3,700/Person (~$32)
All these dormitory beds come with a little lamp, shelf, and outlet!
Plus a hanger, to keep tomorrow's outfit ready to go.
Japanese Style Private Room
If you're looking for hostel-level affordability, but a little more privacy than a shared room, then these rooms are a great choice. Staying in this private room is really a lot like staying in a much pricier hotel; not only do you get the whole room to yourself, but all the ammenities like brushes and towels also come for free!
Japanese Style Room (for 2) ～ ￥12,000/Room (~$105)
Family Room
While this room is called a family room, it's great for any group of five who wants to stay together! There are four bunk style beds, with an additional tatami mat area for an extra bed.
Family Room ～ Around ￥20,000/Day (~$176)
🏨 IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL
563-11 Bairincho, 5-chome, Gojodori Yamatooji Higashiiru
⏰: check-in time from 4pm, check-out at 11am
📞: (+81)075-532-0101
Free WIFI Available
IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL Official Website (English)
Things to Do Near IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL
Yume Koubou
(京都夢工房)
For many people, when you think of Kyoto, you think of geisha (although they're called maiko here!) In Tokyo you can spent the day in a simple yukata (read more about the difference between yukata and proper kimono), but you can get a whole geisha makeover experience just 4 miles (7 km) from the hostel! Yume Koubou, where you can get your makeover done, is easy to find, and the staff speak English, making it a fun and relaxing experience! We went for the Geisha Plan, but there are other options as well. Even men can get in on the action! We're thinking next time we'll try out the Oiran Plan.
Full Maiko Transformation
💴 Price: 5,900yen (roughly $52) 💴
！Ages 5~95 can participate！
⏰Business hours: weekdays 10am~7pm, weekends 9am~7pm
*Reservations are until 5pm.*
Kyomizu-dera Temple
(清水寺)
"The Temple of Clear Water", Kiyomizu-dera is an absolute must-see for first-time visitors to Kyoto! Not only is the temple itself beautiful, but it's up on a hill, and offers gorgeous views of the city. Try visiting at sunset, or during the cherry blossom season!
Access:
15-min from JR Kyoto Station by bus no. 100 or no. 206,
get off at go-jo-zaka, and get on the slope, walk about 10-min
*Hours vary, so it's best to check here.*
Official Website
Google Maps
Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka
(二年坂・三年坂）
Walk down the hill from Kiyomizu-deru, and you'll find yourself on two historic streets: Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka. Apparently some locals believe that if you fall down on one of these streets, you'll have some bad luck within 2-3 years. In other words, it is like you will be living quietly and deeply in a mystery within 2-3 years.
Access:
Short walk from Kiyomizu-dera
Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka are connected
Official Website
Google Maps
Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Tea Parlor
(スターバックス コーヒー 京都二寧坂ヤサカ茶屋店)
This is the only Starbucks in the world that has rooms floored with tatami mats. The building was originally an old house, and now this coffee shop has a truly unique atmosphere. Being very popular, it's always quite busy, but it's a great experience for any Starbucks fans out there!
Yasaka Shrine
(八坂神社)
This shrine is sometimes called the Gion Shrine (which is not surprising, considering the location!) It's one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. It's also involved in the famous Gion Matsuri Festival that happens in Kyoto every July!
*Closest Station*
Keihan Gion Shijo Station, or City Municipal Bus no. 206
Arashiyama
(嵐山)
While Arashiyama is a little out of the way, it's a beautiful area with lots to see, so it's still a popular place for visitors to Kyoto. Don't miss the famous bamboo grove! It's a little smaller than most people imagine, but it's still a great place to take pictures.
Access:
From Kyoto Station take JR Sagano Line to Arashiyama
Fushimi Inari-taisha
(伏見稲荷大社)
The head shrine of Inari, who is seen as a patron of business, worshipped by merchants and manufacturers. Business people will still come to pray to Inari for good luck, sometimes!
But this shrine is now the #1 sightseeing spot for foreign visitors to Japan. The Fushimi Inari Taisha's Senbon-torii (thousands of torii shrine gates) are a favorite spot for photo ops, and people around the world recognize the gates after seeing them in the film Memoirs of a Geisha.
Access:
7-min walk from Inari Station (5-min ride), Nara Line bound for Nara at JR Kyoto Station
Official Website
Google Maps
Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU🐶!!
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Details
NAME:IMANO KYOTO KIYOMIZU HOSTEL
MAP
563-11 Bairincho, 5-chome, Gojodori Yamatooji Higashiiru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu
ACCESS:Kiyomizu Gojo Station
CONTACT TEL:075-532-0101
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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NARA
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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