The best hostels in Kyoto - TravelPUNK- Backpack Europe, Backpacker Tips, Eurail tips, Cheap Hostels

How to find the best hostels in Kyoto for your trip

Kyoto is both beautifully traditional and ultra-modern. This city of contrasts is bursting with colour, rich in history and packed with things to do and see, making it one of the most exciting destinations to visit in Japan. After all, where else can you glimpse a geisha, feed wild monkeys and have tea with Hello Kitty all in the same day?

Much like the city itself, Kyoto’s hostels vary from old to new. You’ll find traditional Japanese ryokans with sliding doors and futon beds, innovative capsule rooms that verge on futuristic and quirky themed hostels with wonderfully niche concepts. Intrigued yet?

Japan may be more expensive than other Asian backpacking hotspots, but it’s made affordable by a great-value transport system, a plethora of cheap eats and, of course, hundreds of amazing hostels. Kyoto has hostels from £11 a night, so whether you choose to base yourself among the hustle and bustle downtown or in the glamorous geisha district Gion, you’ll be able to put a roof over your head without breaking the bank.

Here’s our pick of the best hostels in Kyoto!

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Best hostels in Kyoto for solo travellers

So, you’re a lone wolf, backpacking this unique and fascinating country all on your own. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Stay in one of these super social Kyoto hostels for a familial atmosphere and guaranteed #friendshipgoals.

Mosaic Hostel Kyoto

When a hostel team is made up of backpackers, you can be sure they’ll know a thing or two about connecting solo travellers. That’s why they put on ‘more events and activities than any other hostel in Japan’ – the perfect way to immerse yourself in local experiences while getting to know your dorm buddies! When you get back to the hostel, the roof terrace is the place to carry on socialising, where you’ll meet and swap stories with people from around the world.

Hostel highlights:

Video games room
Cultural workshops
Food parties

Address: 4-1 Nishikujo Kasugacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 601-8413

Neighbourhood: Minami Ward

Nearest station: T?ji Station (Kintetsu Railway, Kyoto Line)

Book your stay at Mosaic Hostel Kyoto

Kyoto Morris Hostel

Ah, beer – conversation starter, inhibition lowerer, banter enhancer. It’s truly the solo traveller’s best friend; especially when it’s free, as it is at 6pm every evening at this hostel! The vibes in their communal areas are warm and welcoming, so it won’t be long before some serious backpacker bonding is underway. In the morning, save money with their amazing all you can eat breakfast that includes everything from pancakes to fried rice. No boring bread and butter here!

Hostel highlights:

Luxurious dorms
Free bike rental
Awesome bar

Address: 133-1 Umenoki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 604-0905

Neighbourhood: Nakagyo Ward

Nearest station: Shiyakusho-mae Station (Subway, Tozai line)

Book your stay at Kyoto Morris Hostel

Best hostels in Kyoto for couples

As a backpacking couple, you probably want a bit of privacy and downtime without having to compromise on location or atmosphere, right? That’s where these hostels come in; they’ve got the best of both worlds and couples love them!

Len Kyoto

This artsy Kyoto hostel has a rustic aesthetic and a totally chilled ambience. Foodie couples will love it for its fantastic café/restaurant, serving up delicious Japanese and Western dishes all day long. You’ll benefit from an ideal location just minutes’ walk from some of Kyoto’s best attractions and be able to dance the saké-fuelled night away in their vintage-style bar, all while having the luxury of your own private room to retire to!

Hostel highlights:

Wonderful staff
On-site coffee shop
Beautiful interiors

Address: 709 Uematsucho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8028

Neighbourhood: Shimogyo Ward

Nearest station: Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway, Hankyu Kyoto line)

Book your stay at Len Kyoto

Hostel Ebi

Hostel Ebi says it’s for travellers looking for a ‘cosy and friendly hostel’ over ‘big chain accommodation’. It’s a small place with only twenty beds, and the owner, Jiwon, treats his guests like family; with communal meals and drinks in the living room every day and insider recommendations to help you experience Kyoto like a local. It’s located in the same building as an Irish pub and just one minute’s walk from the famous Nishiki Market, so it’s safe to say that you won’t go hungry or thirsty when staying here!

Hostel highlights:

Amazing host (/karaoke partner)
Comfy beds
Excellent cleanliness

Address: Karasumanishiki Building 4F, 683 Motohonenjicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8144

Neighbourhood: Nakagyo Ward

Nearest station: Shij? Station (Subway, Karasuma line)

Book your stay at Hostel Ebi

Best party hostels in Kyoto

Japan doesn’t do ‘party hostels’ in the same way as Thailand or Australia. That said, the Japanese certainly know how to drink and there are some hostels where you’ll be encouraged to embrace your wild side. These are the best ones in Kyoto to get your party on – and nurse that sore head the next day!

Friends Kyo

What’s a party without friends? Friends Kyo is located in the heart of Gion, the city’s main entertainment district. In the words of the hostel: you probably can’t afford to party with geishas, but you can certainly party here! The rooftop garden is a good place to start, before you make the 5-minute walk to some of Kyoto’s liveliest clubs with some new companions in tow. And don’t worry about being woken up when you finally get to bed; each dorm bed is separated by walls to maintain your privacy – and beauty sleep!

Hostel highlights:

Roof garden
Guest library
Free laundry

Address: 193 Kamiyanagi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0807

Neighbourhood: Higashiyama Ward

Nearest station: Gion-Shij? Station (Keihan Main Line)

Book your stay at Friends Kyo

Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto

When a hostel has a near-perfect score from over 10,000 guest reviews, you know it’s a good’un. In fact, they’re regular Hoscar winners too! Our guests love getting the party started at K’s House. If you haven’t tried saké yet, head down to their backpacker’s bar to get acquainted with the iconic Japanese rice wine. It would be rude not to sample a few cocktails too! Saké hangovers can be lethal, but K’s provide a western style breakfast every morning to aid your recovery.

Hostel highlights:

Rooftop terrace
Tatami lounge
Central location

Address: 418 Nayachou, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8142

Neighbourhood: Shimogyo Ward

Nearest station: Kyoto Station

Book your stay at Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto

Best hostels in Kyoto with private rooms

If you’ve got a bit of extra cash to splash, treating yourself to one of these hostels’ private rooms could provide a nice break from shared accommodation. We love staying in dorms, but every now and then it’s important to have a catch up with number one!

Grids Kyoto

You just need to take one look at this hostel to know you’ll be in for a cosy stay – and that’s before you’ve even stepped foot in your comfy private bedroom! Our guests love its outstanding facilities and impeccable cleanliness. Its location in Kyoto’s hip downtown area is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the best of the city’s nightlife, as well as the many unique cultural experiences and museums on offer.

Hostel highlights:

On-site bar
Yummy authentic food
Fabulous bathrooms

Address: 599 Nishidaimonjicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8054

Neighbourhood: Nakagyo Ward

Nearest station: Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway, Hankyu Kyoto line)

Book your stay at Grids Kyoto

Kyoto Hana Hostel

Kyoto Hana describes itself as a ‘Japanese ryokan meets western backpacker’s hostel’. Their top-notch dorms will be similar to ones you’ve slept in before, but it’s their private rooms that follow Japanese tradition, with tatami mats, futon bedding and sliding doors for an authentic guesthouse experience. Located on a quiet street just 5 minutes from Kyoto Station, this hostel sits among some of Kyoto’s best bars, restaurants and karaoke rooms. When you want to venture further, bicycle rental is available for under £5.

Hostel highlights:

Social lounge
Local expertise
Luxury freebies – from hairdryers to green tea!

Address: 229 Akezu-dori Street, Kogawa-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8149

Neighbourhood: Shimogyo Ward

Nearest station: Kyoto Station

Book your stay at Kyoto Hana Hostel

Best hostels in Kyoto city centre

Downtown Kyoto is where you’ll find the highest concentration of bars, clubs, restaurants, markets, shops, and most importantly… hostels! While most sightseeing destinations are a little further out of the centre, downtown is the place to stay if you’re a social butterfly who wants the city’s best nightlife and food options on your doorstep.

The Millennials Kyoto

The concept of this downtown hostel is probably unlike any accommodation you’ve experienced before. At check-in you’ll be given an iPod, with an app that controls all the functions of your spacious pod-style room. For instance, you can transform your bed into a sofa to give yourself room to change, or set the lights to gradually turn on in the morning to wake you peacefully without a sound. When you’re done marvelling at the wonders of technology, make your way down to the bar at 17:30 to enjoy an hour of free pour-your-own draft beer!

Hostel highlights:

24-hour bar
Co-working space
Super comfy private pods

Address: 235 Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0841

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Nearest station: Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto line)

Book your stay at The Millennials Kyoto

Centurion Cabin & Spa

This stunning hostel will please the flashiest of flashpackers. We know that life on the road can be tiring, so what better place to rejuvenate after a long day exploring Kyoto than in your hostel’s very own spa/bathhouse? And if that isn’t enough, each of their luxury dorm rooms feature traditional Japanese-style sliding doors on every bed for total privacy, as well as personal TVs to catch up on all your favourite Japanese shows – or at least sharpen your language skills!

Hostel highlights:

Free spa access
Free toiletries
Enclosed cabin beds

Address: 68?2 Tachiuri Nishi-machi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8007

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Nearest station: Karasuma Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)

Book your stay at Centurion Cabin & Spa

Best of the rest hostels in Kyoto

Comicap – Comics & Capsule Hotel

Lovers of comics and manga, have we got the hostel for you! This unique themed hostel features an immense library with over 30,000 comic books, so you’ll never be short of reading material here. Relax on a beanbag in the peaceful common area and enjoy an eclectic range of comics that you won’t find elsewhere. Its modern dorms are comfy and clean, and although the hostel is quiet its prime location in Nakagyo Ward means it’s surrounded by all kinds of zany entertainment options.

Hostel highlights:

Massive comic book collection – obviously!
Games area
Amazing location in Nishiki Market

Address: 525-1 Higashigawa-machi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8046

Neighbourhood: Nakagyo Ward

Nearest station: Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto line)

Book your stay at Comicap

Piece Hostel Sanjo

Piece Hostel was awarded best hostel in Japan at our 2018 Hoscars – an impressive title indeed! This ultra-stylish abode is in a quaint, quiet neighbourhood that’s an easy walk to Kyoto’s best attractions. It features top of the range kitchen facilities, free to use iMacs, cosy dorms and stylish private rooms. Our guests recommend their Japanese breakfast, consisting of breads, potato salad, rice and miso soup, served free every morning. They also love the staff, who they say ‘go above and beyond’ to provide local expertise and a fun, welcoming atmosphere.