Karasuma Kyoto Hotel

Never again

I arrived on January 2. Asked about a restaurant, I was told everything was closed and the only possibility was a department store, 15 minute walk. After eating in a smoke-filled environment, I talk a walk. Just across the street was a narrow passageway with teens of restaurants...all were open. Misinformation at the reception desk continued all 3 days of my trip in Kyoto. Hotel staff barely spoke English and were not informed about the city. The hotel is nearby the largest shopping street in Kyoto-very busy. On the plus side - there were many buses and it was convenient to the subway.

Kyoto Fan

I love Kyoto and visit every year. I stayed at the Karasuma Kyoto for 3 nights as I was there by myself, the location and the rates were very reasonable. I later moved to a much fancier place in Kyoto Station when my friend arrived and I could share the rate with her. The Karasuma is in a good location next to a subway stop and within walking distance to Nishiki Market, Karasuma/Kawaramachi shopping area, Gion and Higashiyama. The single room I had was tiny but fine for one person, quiet and extremely clean. I had the buffet breakfast every day in a sparsely decorated dining room. It was OK but was happy to move on to a new buffet after 3 days. (I like to eat a huge breakfast because I can go, go, go until I get hungry again.)

I always bring a rolling backpack with me for my jacket, water, maps, souvenirs I purchase, etc. Am teased about it by my traveling friends but they always like to stick their stuff in it too! Use it as my carry-on on the plane.

easy access to Kyoto

A great choice to get to know Kyoto. 20 minute walk to the old area of Gion - where i could stroll the temple gardens and explore the meandering lanes selling traditional wares.. or 2 stops from Central Kyoto station where i could find anything i needed. Room was simple but all i needed. Staff were friendly, helpful and conversed easily in English. A great stay!

Don’t rush out early - not much is open.. take your time - but research the area well so you have an idea of what you are looking for.

It’s ok but do not pay too much!

It’s a hotel that used to be grand and now is just old. It’s clean, service good, right in the center, 2 minutes from Subway station. Rooms are large (for Japanese standard). Beds quite comfortable. There are two computers with internet in the lobby but they are extermely busy. Starbucks in the premises, decent food right outside. Citibank around the corner, so I could use ATM. Overall not bad, but would not pay more than lower end.

A value for money hotel with excellent location

Excellent location - on one of main streets in Kyoto; subway station is just in front of the hotel; close to Gion and shopping district. Friendly staff but this is usual to Japan anyway. Enough space at room though the bathroom is prety tight. Quiet environment

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Easy access to and from the hotel saves a lot of time and money

Great location

Great location, steps to subway and many places to see, eat and sightsee. The starbucks in the lobby was a sure plus. Room was really small but worked. Had a fridge and tv etc.

The central location is ideal.

My room was small and the furnishings old but clean. It’s best feature is its central location and access to public transportation. The Starbucks attached to the hotel was also a plus.

Good hotel for price

Can’t complain... Room tight and small, but staff very friendly and incredibly close to subway. Good value!!

Excellent location!

This was a great hotel -- located in a "business-y" area of Kyoto. You are right next to a subway stop, as well as main bus stops to get you anywhere you’d need to go in town. Plus, you’re close to the main Kyoto station, which has links to neighboring towns via the JR and other rail lines. Somewhat small hotel room, but on par with London/Euro city hotels. Smallish bath, but all very clean. Very friendly staff -- ask for a tofu restaurant recommendation: the lady at the front desk gave us a great one! Right near the big Kyoto shopping area, too. And there is a Starbuck’s attached for morning coffee!

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

I recommend spending more time here than in Tokyo -- both are great, but Kyoto has the most beauitful sites -- especially the Golden Pavilion. Not knowing Japanese is a little tricky, but not impossible. And make sure you bring Yen -- it is hard to get Yen with ATM’s in Japan (foreign bank cards not accepted everywhere). Overall great trip! Can’t wait to go back!

Reasonable Hotel With Comfortable Ammentities

Overall a good hotel. Hotel is in the middle of the city, seconds from the subway exit. It is a moderate, reasonably priced hotel. There is a Starbucks directly connected to the lobby. The rooms and hotel are older, but comfortable. The employees at the receptionist desk were very helpful and spoke basic english. There are two free internet access computers for hotel guests in the reception area. If you don’t expect/need big and fancy, this is a mid-level, clean hotel.

Good Location -- Reasonable Price

This hotel is located within half a block of a stop on Kyoto’s North/South subway line. There is plenty of shopping, including a major department store, within a few blocks walk.There are several restaurants below and next door to the hotel, and the Starbucks with patio service adjacent to the lobby was a plus. The decor is a bit dated, but very clean. We found the air-conditioning on the 12th floor somewhat inadequate, although it was cool in the lobby.The bathrooms, as in many other Japanese hotels, are very small and cramped by American standards. English speaking employees were available at the front desk every time we needed service.

Good hotel in the center of Kyoto

Very comfortable location with lots of connections to both the railway station and Gyon. Very helpful personnel at the reception: I had quite a big problem and they managed to solve it within minutes.

nice hotel, good location

This hotel is less than 100 yards from the Shijo Subway stop, just 2 stops from Kyoto station, making it incredibly convenient. It’s also a block away from the biggest shopping district in Kyoto. There are major bus stops around the corner, so getting around Kyoto from this hotel was amazingly easy. The rooms are well kept, the staff pleasant, the price excellent. My one complaint was a lack of fitness facility, but that seems to be standard in Japan, a luxury I am used to from the States. I would recommend this hotel for tourists who are willing to take the plunge and ride the busses, trains, and subways (or just walk) around Kyoto. I hope to go back someday.

Convenient location; helpful staff

The single rooms are small, but clean and well-equipped. (Also very quiet!)Having a fridge was great for fruit, milk, yogurt, etc. There are convenience stores, a pharmacy, and a bakery within a couple of blocks of the hotel and a large mall about ten minutes walking distance away. The hotel is on the Karasuma subway line (there’s a station practically in front of lobby)and it’s just 2 stops from Kyoto Station - a major terminal for buses, trains & the subway. There are bus stops close to hotel, and a number of major tourists sights are located nearby. The staff are very friendly and helpful. There’s free internet access in the lobby (two terminals.)

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Check out the day bus pass - available from the tourist office on the 2nd floor of Kyoto Station. Comes with a map & listing of buses which go to virtually every tourist destination in the city (temples, castles, parks, museums...) Also, day trips to Kyoto, Osaka, Hemeji, Kobe, etc. are easy to do and cheap by train; no need to fork out a lot of cash for oraganized tours unless you want to have EVERYTHING taken care of for you.

Convenient, but dusty and not foreigner-friendly

The hotel is in a convenient location just above a subway station and within walking district to major shopping districts and Gion. However, the hotel was not very clean, and the personnel not used to assisting english speakers. All other hotels we stayed at during our trip provided english-labeled local sightseeing maps. Hotel Karasuma had japanese-only bus system maps, that was all. In addition, the room was very dated and dusty. The pinkl carpet actually looked gray in corners because of the dust. The bathrooms at least was clean. The interior of the hotel looks used and dated, in need of a renovation.

Very good location

Close to bus stops, going all different directions...There is a Starbuck coffee shop right on premise. Free high speed internet...With most major western language satellite TV channels. Very good value for your money.

Not bad ...

Decent hotel, friendly and helpful staff, comfort comparable to other Japanese hotels in which I have stayed, location near subway station a plus

I would definitely go back.

I enjoyed staying in this hotel. The location is great. The hotel staff are very pleasant. I was very impressed by the people in Kyoto. They are so friendly and polite. My husband and I enjoyed touring Kyoto by bus and the subway.

Centrally and conveniently located

Very adequate and convenient hotel within blocks from downtown Kyoto, an absolutely amazing and diverse city with much to see and do. Can’t wait to go back.

Would Stay Here Again

Kyoto’s main attractions are fairly spread out, so Karasuma Hotel provided us with a nice central location. The hotel is near the subway and several bus stops, so it was convenient to hop on the bus everyday and take it around the city. As stated, everything is pretty spread out so this hotel is definitely not within walking distance of too many sites (I don’t know if there’s any hotel that would be); however, because it’s centrally located it’s easy to get back to fairly quickly by bus. The hotel is also close by Shijo Street (lots of shops and restaurants!). The staff at this hotel were great! Very friendly and eager to help. They were able to provide us with restaurant suggestions and directions. The hotel also has two computers with free internet access, which was nice for e-mailing home. The beds at the hotel were very comfy with soft, crisp white sheets and a nice pillow too! The only drawback I found was that the restaurants at the hotel are very expensive, so we never ate at any of them, breakfast was 2300 per person, but there are other options fairly close by. Donguri right down the street is a great alternative. They have an English menu and their okonomiyaki is very good!

Traveler's tip on local attractions

I would definitely suggest getting a bus day pass when you go to Kyoto. Only 500 yen for the whole day, as opposed to 200 yen every time you use the bus. The hotel can provide you with a pass and also a bus route map, which is pretty easy to figure out once you get the hang of it.

An good economical hotel

the hotel bed was far to hard, this supprised me after I read a reveiw from someone who stated the bed was far to soft. We also would like to point out that the room was far to hot and we could not open the windows. The air con was centrally set and all we could do was adjust the fan to blow more/less hot air.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

This hotel is in a very central location and a straight shot from the train station. I would recomend going to the front desk on the first day and purchasing a daily bus pass; it is an easy way to get around Kyoto and the buses all identify in English when a temple stop is coming.

Easy to access sijo downtown

Good location, a small room, a soft bed.

Convenient location, near JR station and the downtown

Just a block from the JR station (and local subway/metro), with a Starbucks in the lobby. Starbucks is better in Japan, and one of the few places accepting credit cards or offering a no smoking atmosphere. If either of those things interest you. No problems with the hotel whatsoever. Lotsa Westerners though, if you’re trying to get away from that.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Kyoto’s kinda spread out. Figure out bus/metro maps or befriend a cabbie. It cost more, but we found one who gave us a good tour of the city, took us to alternate places when the ones we wanted were closed and even waited outside (no charge) while we ate at a traditional tofu restaurant he recommended that was open past normal lunch hours.