K’s House
K’s House is a chain of backpacker hostels in Japan. They started out in November, 2003 in Kyoto (which has perhaps the highest concentration of backpacker hostels anywhere in Japan) and have since opened hostels in Nagano prefecture and Tokyo.
The prices are cheap (starting at 2500 yen for a dorm bed in Kyoto, 2800 in Tokyo and Nagano) and the entire hostel has a very modern and welcoming atmosphere. Features in all hostels include:
- Communal living and dining room
- A well-equipped communal kitchen
- Internet, laundry and bicycle hire
- Separate bathrooms and toilets
- No curfew, English speaking staff and air conditioning in all rooms
- No YHA membership required
After staying at the Kyoto hostel numerous times, I can tell you that the place is clean, airy, modern, comfortable and best of all - cheap! The staff are all very friendly and will always try to be helpful. They all speak English reasonably well.
One thing that I found very useful was how the hostel has a room availablity chart online for three months in advance. This is updated daily, and bookings can be made via email.
I highly recommend this place. While I haven’t been to the Tokyo hostel, if it’s anything like Kyoto’s (which was, by the way, voted best hostel in Asia by Hostelworld, an online booking service) then you won’t be disappointed. Besides, 2800 yen for a bed is probably unheard of in Tokyo.
Link:
K’s House - in English
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December 11th, 2006 at 5:02 am
I liked the K’s House in Kyoto for it was clean, modern and spacious. The beds were comfy, the showers were fabulous, the self-cooking kitchen was better than in any hostel I’ve yet been to in Europe, Asia or N-America. I rented a mountain bike and went to see the temples in the eastern hills.
http://www.gojo-guest-house.com/gojo-guest-house/gojo-e.html
I also stayed in Gojo’s House and really lived the more traditional japanese feel of the place, sleeping in tatam floored rooms on futons. It’s also well located next to Gion.
Plus we stayed one night in an affordable downtown ryokan: http://www.itcj.jp/hdb/526089.html
It wasn’t THE most traditional ryokan out there, but really good value for the price when staying with two or three persons. It’s worth staying one night in a place like this even when you are on a shoe-string budget.