SAKARA Kyoto

The hotel is on a traditional Japanese pedestrian-only street. We were provided with detailed driving directions in Japanese for taxi-drivers, which was extremely helpful. Both our flight and train were delayed but the host was gracious enough to wait to check us in. He also provided a local map showing where all the convenience stores and restaurants are. We had the only downstairs unit so we didn’t have to deal with stairs. Our unit is well-equipped. The beds are comfortable and it is very quiet at night. The location is the best part. It is close to the Tozai line with the subway station just around the corner. There is a bus stop nearby where we can take the bus straight to Kinkaju-ji. Downtown is just a 15-min walk away where we find a plethora of shops and restaurants. There are numerous temples and shrines within walking distance. Our favorites are Chion-in temple, Nanzen-ji temple and Heian-jingu shrine. These are less-crowded alternatives to the “must-sees” and all are within walking distance of the property. We made a day-trip to Nara and again the property is located near the Keihan line where we could easily transfer to the Kintetsu line to Nara. We have a great time in Kyoto and the property is convenient to sightseeing and provides a quiet place to relax in the evening.

Stayed in one of the suites and it was a cosy home away from home. As well as the comfortable bed and bathroom, there is a washing machine to do laundry, a small kitchenette, and small table and chairs in a separate area from the bed. ||Excellent location for exploring the tourist areas of Kyoto, we were able to head out walking in the morning and see many of the beautiful temples all on foot, and some excellent meals as well (plus craft beer a few shops down). ||There was not much soundproofing from the next room though, we could hear moving around and chatting. There is also noise from the arcade outside. Nothing too bad. ||An excellent stay!

We loved our stay at Sakara. The street was quiet and charming, with a subway station just steps away. It was very hot during our stay, but the air conditioning worked great. Our room was like a mini apartment, with a kitchen, washer/dryer, and loft sleeping area. There were just two of us, but it would be great for a family of 4. There were English instructions for everything. The owner greeted us with maps and gave us lots of information about things to do in Kyoto and how to get around. It is very centrally located, so it was easy to take a break between activities. Check out the fruit vendor at the end of the street and the French cafe for good pastries and coffee. We had a great stay and would definately stay there again if we have the opportunity to return to Kyoto.

This is our second time staying at Sakara - the first was 12 years ago and it was honestly great to be back! (In fact, when we decided to travel to Japan again, this was the one place that all 3 of our now-grown kids requested we make sure to stay again.) We love what Mike and Yuko have created here. The rooms have a really unique, warm feel to them and have everything a family might need including kitchenettes, laundry, and much more space for family members than a regular hotel (we stayed in the Hinoki and Bamboo rooms). As hosts, Mike and Yuko are very thoughtful, offering recommendations for local places to eat and visit and answering all of our questions. Still, there is an independent coming-and-going feel to staying there (as opposed to a manned reception desk at a hotel), something that also made it feel more like a home. We love the location of Sakara as well -- it's just steps from the Higashiyama subway station (and very close to Sanjo station) in a sweet uncrowded little shopping arcade, and within walking distance of so much (Gion, Shoren-in, Chion-in, numerous other local temples and shrines, and the main downtown shopping streets). We can't wait to visit again!

Staying at SAKARA was the perfect way for us to experience Kyoto. It is very close to Sanjo Station, and a really easy walk to a lot of temples and tourist sites. It is also a 5 minute walk to downtown for food and drink and close to the geisha district. We used the keihan main line to move around mostly if not walking. The host was the most helpful of all the places we have stayed during our time in Japan and took the time to show us where the best places to go were on a map and provided lots of local recommendations in person. We stayed in the ninja room, named as such due to the steep ladder to the sleeping area. This wasn't a problem for us, but could prove challenging after one too many shochu. The room also has plenty of amenities and there is a social space on the first floor to sit and have coffee and plan your day. We would highly recommend SAKARA, and would like to return next time in Kyoto.

The Sakara Kyoto is perfectly located directly next to Higashiyama station. There are also many buses and it takes only 15 min to walk to Gion and there are many food places and convenience stores in the area. ||We stayed in the Sakara room and the Bamboo Suite. Both rooms have everything you need. The kitchen equipment seems to be used little by the guests so we had to clean it before usage as it was dusty other than that cleanness was ok. Communication was great. Since there is no staff at the apartment place, we communicated via Email and always got a reply within a short period of time. ||Thank you Mike and Yuko!

I stayed here at the recommendation of a friend and it was wonderful! The location is amazing, right on an old shopping street (with a great craft beer restaurant), and a lovely stream with weeping willows that leads to one of the famous temples in Japan that is lit up for the fall colours season, Chion-in. It was very quick and easy access from Kyoto Station. One word of advice for people from out of the country: you DON'T want to stay near Kyoto Station for getting to most of the sites as the traffic around the station can be really bad for travelling by taxi or bus. Higashiyama Station, on the other hand is really close to all of the main sites - you could walk in less than half an hour to Kiyomizu Temple, for example. But the best part: it's like an apartment with a kitchen (hot plate, dishes), bath and *washing machine*! Excellent for people in the middle of a long trip wanting to do their clothes. It totally felt like coming home after a long day out amongst the crowds. Much better than a hotel. The area is also really quiet at night so we were able to have a great sleep and be ready for the next day. It could sleep 4-5 so perfect for a family. I would definitely stay here again. Mike, the host, gave lots of advice about nearby places to eat, etc. If I had to think of something to improve, it would be good to have a parking spot (but most people probably come by train) and a way to leave bags for a later check-out. I forgot to ask Mike about that. It would probably work to leave them behind the locked door with code (in the common room area).

Stayed here with my wife and daughter in June of 2019.||||The location is great. Just a short walk from Higashiyama station. Very easy to access all of the big attractions from here. ||||Very close to a Family Mart and a Fresco Mart. A nice ramen restaurant just down the alley as well a great little family run restaurant around the corner called Hayashi. (We ate there 4 times)||||If you are planning on arriving early, make sure you let the owners know through e-mail, otherwise you will find yourself waiting. ||||The owners are friendly and helpful with advice for nearby restaurants. ||||The shopping arcade that this hotel is one is a very quiet area so don't be put off by what looks like a busy location. ||||An easy walk to central Kyoto or the Gion district. ||||We stayed in the Sakura Room. It was roomy enough for 3 people and had a lot of character. The steps up to the loft are steep. You could easily sleep four adults in this room, but the loft is for the young and agile. ||||Overall a great stay. We will definitely go back next time we are in Kyoto.