Jane Pipkin

Piece Hostel Sanjo is a contemporary and cool hostel-hotel hybrid, located in Sanjo -- one of Kyoto's liveliest areas. It's perfect for solo travelers or a small group of friends who want to feel more connected to this traditional city, and maybe make some new friends along the way. What's the hostel like? Once a traditional ryokan, this stylish hostel is designed to offer guests a comfortable sleep, in a minimal space, at an affordable price. Ideal for active travelers, Piece Hostel Sanjo aims to foster a sense of international community through its shared facilities and events. The hostel still feels very contemporary and new, challenging our associations of hostels being less lavish. It is fairly large, split into two buildings: the East and West. Each offer their own unique facilities and room types. What facilities does the hostel have? One of the hostel's most attractive facilities is its communal areas. The basement floor of the East Building acts as a café and communal space, though the café was closed when we stayed. There is also an outdoor terrace where you can relax and watch either the sun rise or go down. In the West Building, you'll find a shared kitchen, library space and lounge. Near the entrance, there are desks with iMac computers which are available to use. On top of this, there are two large locker rooms. The hostel has washing and drying machines which can be used 24 hours a day. Using a washing machine costs , and a dryer is for 10 minutes. For those staying in rooms with shared bathrooms, the shower rooms are located in the basement. There are five female-only and seven gender-netural shower rooms, each with its own individual dressing area. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap and bath towels are provided free of charge. After showering, you can make use of the powder rooms which have sinks, hairdryers, and hand soap. Is there anywhere to hang out in the hostel? There are plenty of places to hang out. In the West Building, there is a library and lounge space. The library space is spacious and has comfy sofas, with small tables attached to them -- the ideal environment to read or do some remote work. You will also find a table displaying fictional books and books about Kyoto, handpicked by the staff for you to enjoy. The library space is directly connected to the lounge, an area designed for relaxing, reading and even journaling. Although this area is indoors, the large windows allow you to admire the greenery outside, creating the feeling of being in a terrace space. Blended with the choice of antique furniture, this makes for a homely and natural atmosphere. The main communal space, located in the basement of the East Building, also has a nature-inspired aesthetic but a different vibe. With the bar as its focal point, this communal space feels a bit more like a night lounge with its mix of tables and sofas. Conveniently, this space leads directly up to the reception. What are the rooms like? There is a variety of room types to choose from, including dormitories, twin rooms, double rooms, triple rooms, quadruple rooms, and family rooms. All private rooms, expect the Family Room, offer the option or either a private or shared toilet and bathroom. Naturally, the rooms with a private bathroom cost most. How big are the rooms? The rooms differ in size depending on type. The largest room is the Family Room, which has two double beds and two large double beds. It is 28 m2 in size. The smallest are the dormitory rooms, where you only get a single bed space. Note there are female, male, and mixed-gender dormitories, with most sleeping up to 10 people. Are the rooms comfortable? On this particular visit, we stayed in a double room with a shared bathroom in the West Building. This room, which is 7.5 m2 in size, includes a double bed, flat screen TV, a small refrigerator and a vanity area which has a mirror, sink and other amenities. As for storage, there is plenty of space under the bed and hooks with hangers on the wall. There are sockets near the bed and around the room, meaning you can charge all your devices easily. Everything in the room feels modern, sleek and clean. It has been designed to provide comfort while being compact. It is definitely comfortable -- however, the one downside is that the room can feel dark at night, as the small window doesn't let much natural light in. What's the view like? Most of the rooms don't have a view and merely look onto the buildings next door. Should I order the breakfast? As of the time of writing, Piece Hostel does not provide breakfast. However, there is a spacious, fully equipped kitchen available for you to prepare your own meals. It includes a convection microwave, refrigerators, induction stoves, toaster ovens, kitchen utensils, and basic seasonings. If you prefer to store food in your room, each room is equipped with a small refrigerator. Alternatively, there are many cafés in the surrounding neighborhood which serve breakfast. For those who want to pick up something quick, there are also a few convenience stores nearby. How is the location? The location is more than ideal, situated just a short walk from some of the city's most popular attractions including Nishiki Market, Gion, and the Kawaramachi shopping street. Despite the hostel being near the hustle and bustle of the city, its position on one of the quieter side streets means you can chill out. How is the access to trains and subway? The closest station to Piece Hostel Sanjo is: Karasuma Oike Station (9-minute walk): Karasuma Oike Station is a subway station which operates both the Karasuma Line and Tōzai Line. Conveniently, it is only a 5-minute journey to Kyoto Station (on the Karasuma Line). How do I get there from Kansai International Airport? From Kansai International Airport: Take the JR Kansai Airport Express "HARUKA" from Kansai Airport Station to Kyoto Station. You will need to buy a special ticket for this which costs . From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Line to Karasuma Oike Station for . This route takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Read more about transport from Kansai Airport. What's the surrounding neighborhood like? The surrounding neighborhood feels up-and-coming, even though it is already established. It is filled with trendy independent restaurants, bars, and boutiques, and perfectly caters to a younger demographic. Even though the surrounding streets are vibrant, the road the hostel is on is relatively quiet, so you don't need to worry about outside noise at night. Are there many good places to eat nearby? There is no shortage of restaurants near the hostel. On the same road, you'll find a ramen shop, a sushi restaurant, and an izakaya. Our personal recommendation is the izakaya, Aiyo! - Sanjo Tominokoji. Putting a fun and contemporary twist on the famous dish, kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), this izakaya offers the perfect setting to drink the night away in a casual atmosphere that the locals love too. The surrounding neighborhood, along with the nearby Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street, is packed with restaurants. Part of the fun is simply exploring the streets and seeing what catches your eye. What points of interest are within walking distance of the hostel? One of the hotel's most attractive qualities is how near it is to museums, shops, parks and more. Nearby attractions include: Nishiki Market (4-minute walk) The Cultural Museum of Kyoto (4-minute walk) Misayama Park (7-minute walk) Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street (9-minute walk) Top attractions slightly further away include: Kyoto International Manga Museum (13-minute walk) Yasaka Shrine (24-minute walk) Nijo Castle (25-minute walk) Who should stay here? Solo travelers, pairs, groups of friends, and even families -- Piece Hostel Sanjo caters to all. However, it’s especially well suited to solo travelers and couples. With a variety of room sizes available, it’s perfect for anyone looking to stay in one of Kyoto's prime locations. Notably, infants and children under 9 are not allowed in the dormitories, but they can stay in the private rooms. However, there are limited dedicated facilities for younger children, so the hostel is better suited for families with older kids or teenagers who can fully enjoy the amenities. Plus, the hostel is particularly popular with guests in their 20s and 30s, so the communal spaces can often get lively. Another plus is that the staff is international, with most speaking English, Japanese, and another language. They are also super helpful and accommodating. What sustainability measures do they have? Piece Hostel Sanjo encourages "sustainable stays" by asking its guests to reduce plastic waste by bringing their own toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and razors. While most hotels provide these items automatically, at this hostel you will need to purchase them at the front desk if you forget to bring these items. Other measures include a free umbrella stand, where you can borrow an umbrella instead of buying a new one. Additionally, there are Luup bike rentals, an electric and eco-friendly method of transport popular in Japan. Tips and tricks for the best stay Make the most of your time at Piece Hostel Sanjo by attending some of the weekly social events. From drink nights to rare maiko (apprentice geisha) performances, this hostel is dedicated to allowing guests to make social connections and gain a deeper cultural understanding of Kyoto. Ask the staff at the reception about the upcoming events. Near to the reception, you can also find a wall-sized map of Kyoto. The staff recommend using it to help plan out your itinerary and gain a better understanding of the large, sprawling city. If you are worried about where to store your luggage, guests are welcome to use the large locker rooms at the hostel. In the West Building, there are two locker rooms -- one for those who have checked out, and another for those waiting to check in. If you are unable to use either one of these, simply ask the staff at the front desk, and they will store your luggage for you elsewhere so you can continue with your day of exploring.

Jane Pipkin

Piece Hostel Sanjo

Pearl Star Hotel Atami

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