Gojo Guest House

It is my very first time staying in a female room. Once I get there, I felt a loving vibe like I am home already and decided immediately to extend my stay. It is very clean and comfortable, the staffs are wonderful and very friendly, so does everyone staying there. At some hostel people would make a lot of noise after 11pm but in this one, I slept safe and sound. It was one of my best experiences in Kyoto if I ever come back again I will stay here and recommend to everyone.

I had a truly impressive experience staying at this guest house in Japan. First of all, the staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. I remember Sakura, in particular, who gave us excellent recommendations and even invited us to join a temple visit on New Year’s Eve, which turned out to be a unique and wonderful experience. The room itself was lovely, comfortable, and very reasonably priced. The heater worked perfectly during winter, keeping me warm throughout the cold nights. Additionally, the guest house features a cafe and bar, which made it super convenient to order drinks. Everything about this place was perfect, from the cozy decoration to the overall atmosphere. If I ever return to Kyoto, I would definitely stay here again!

We stayed here in November 2024. As a couple we booked into a private room. The building has an old rustic feel. The downstairs is a Cafe with a chilled atmosphere. Staff were very welcoming and professional. All the rooms were Ryokan style on the first floor of the property. There are a mixture of private rooms and dorms. There was also a small kitchen with a washing machine and dryer. Based on the style of the rooms the walls and doors are pretty much paper thin. As our room was near the kitchen this meant it was a bit loud. This would be the only downside of the accommodation but was something we quickly got used to. The downstairs cafe also serves beer and plum wine. The lager- Heartland, was delicious. The atmosphere in the cafe/bar was very chilled and a great place to relax and have a drink before heading out into Kyoto.

The place looks great when you first walk in, but things quickly take a turn as you move toward the back. They use a small propane heater to warm a large area, but it only runs for a couple of hours a day. The temperature hovers around 5, and I can actually see my breath in the shower room and hallway. The electric heater in my room struggles to keep up, and it shuts off every 20 minutes, I am freezing the whole night. The beds are awful—once you lie down, they compress to almost nothing. I wish I’d brought my Therm-a-Rest camping pad; it would’ve been 10 times more comfortable. Sleeping on your side is impossible without waking up in pain. Staff themselves are very friendly they would get a 5 star

Long time since I have stayed in a guesthouse, but glad I did. We really enjoyed our stay here. The staff were so friendly and really helpful, all had great English. Great recommendations for local restaurants, bath house and masseuse. Most powerful showers in Japan and always hot water. There is noise from other guests (our room was near the kitchen), but everyone was polite and respectful so it didn’t affect our experience. I didn’t detect and musty smells, but did notice you can buy an abundance of cheap smelly things you could use if you have a low olfactory threshold. I found the futons really comfortable and thoroughly enjoyed the tatami experience.

Fab guest house. We stayed in their Annex building which can be requested. You get a 100 year old traditional Japanese house with a stunning view of Kyoto from the roof (no seating, it’s just a roof). The staff are so lovely, and the stay was really comfortable. Down to earth casual stay with so many sites around it. Bathrooms and kitchen are shared.

One of the best experiences I’ve ever had! PHENOMENAL care from the staff, great and cozy rooms and bedding. The shower has adjustable pressure from delightful to insane. Very clean, great music. They make their own jams for their delicious toast! The coffee is perfect and the beer on tap had me returning for more. I can’t wait to come back. Love it!!! 10/5 stars

Would recommend if you are looking for an old Japanese style guesthouse. They have dorms and private rooms for anyone who wants privacy. Common areas for living room, bathroom, washroom, and shower room. Building is well maintained (for a traditional Japanese style). First floor is a cafe. Location is near to the train station, Japanese temples, convenience stores and restaurants. Staff are nice and very welcoming. 👍👍👍

Gojo Guest House and Cafe is an elegant but casual hostel and Cafe within walking distance of many Kyoto sights. I traveled here by myself and loved the traditional Japanese feel of the café and the sleeping area. You can find plenty of privacy but it's also a great opportunity to meet other travelers and locals. The staff all speak at least some English and we're very helpful, especially warm and nice. I would definitely come back here next time I'm in Kyoto.