The Guest House Koiya is really like a House the staff is extremely friendly and you feel like going back home every time you come in. The staff try to help you the best they can and provide a map with all the informations when you arrive. The house is a bit worn out but beautiful and the futon are extremely comfortable. The garden is like the pictures really cute. I really recommend when you want a cute and affordable place in Kyoto and you don't care about being far away from the center. The house is great to experience a true traditional place in Kyoto but also comes with the problems linked to a old place such as thin walls, lack of curtains and worn out rice-paper walls. So you should be aware when booking, but I definitely recommend this place.

The main issue is the location, the house is 30 mins by train and 40mins by bus from Gion and the center so it's a bit tiring to have to go back and forth during the day, moreover the house is 15mins walking distance from the nearest station which makes it difficult when you have luggages. Also the breakfast is really simple so don't expect a main course but rather some combinis bread and some fruits. Also the place doesn't have curtains so it's not really fit for sleeping late, and the wall are a bit thin so you might hear something if you have loud neighbors.

Koya Guest House is a classic Ryokan inn. The place has its character and it is a privilege indeed to have a chance to stay in a guest house like this. There is a garden outside the common area where you can sit and enjoy the quiet beauty of the place. My room has everything for me to feel comfortable. I am very happy I booked this place. Breakfast is simple but a good start for a day, with an unlimited team and coffee during the day.

Loved staying in this beautiful old house - it was like a mini museum - lots of very interesting antiques, lots of old wood and a beautiful garden. There was a great sitting room in which we could view the garden. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Great location - close to all the things to do and see in Nishijin.

I had two sleepless nights because of other guests talking in the kitchen at 1:30 am (Saturday) and 2:30 am Sunday. They also used hair dryers and were cooking! My room was right next to the kitchen so it was very noisy. There are signs in the room requesting people use the hair dryer in the kitchen after 11 pm. As it is an old house with paper-thin walls, it would be better to have no hair dryer use after 11 pm and no 2 am cooking and chat sessions in the kitchen.

Very affordable stay in japanese spirit, with a friendly owner that works hard to make your stay as comfortable as possible. A simple breakfast snacks with tasty fruits (not such an obvious thing in Japan, where fruits are on an expensive side) are also a nice addition for a backpacker like me :) Quite a good location, close to supermarket (closing at 21:00 but combinis are also not far from there) and a bus stop, with subway station within 10min by walk. I would recommend it for all those people that seek to go for Mt. Atago and nearby areas while still in Kyoto, without having to commute for hours from the other side of the city.

It's a typical japanese house so expect it to be on a colder side in winter months. Rooms are also a bit small but comfortable regardless. Just remember that walls are literally paper-thin so don't walk around like an elephant, waking everyone at night :) All in all, nothing that would make me complain :)

Beautifull old house with unique atmosphere, for open minded people. It is not hotel as per se, so anyone expecting standard hotel experience can be surprised. If you watch Japanese films from the 50's or 60's, staying at Koiya is like diving into Ozu reality. Great area around, amazing restaurant The Last Drop, just round the corner. Great busses communication in the area too. A lot to see in northers Kyoto!

What an experience... I loved staying in this cozy spot. It is in a nice, quiet part of the city where you basically don't meet any tourists. The futon is surprisingly comfortable, although I do personally prefer harder beds in general, so take it with a grain of salt. The staff are all very friendly and speak English very well, so there is no trouble comunicating. Apart from just sleeping, the guest house is a cool place to hang out - they have a beautiful garden and free coffee/tea during the day. My favourite part was waking up to the insect noises in the morning and natural sunglight. It's basically a free alarm clock!

The AC was a bit too drafty for such an enclosed space, but I simply left it on when I was in the shower and turned it off for the night.

Guesthouse Koiya is a truly special place. Above all, it is beautiful. The traditional Japanese interior looks so good. Especially the garden is something you could admire all day. The house is well organized, too. There is a certain way the breakfast is being served. It is always the same material in the same place. The rooms are equipped with only the necessary items and yet all your needs are cared for. Everything has a place and everything is in its place. The house is restored to the same state every day. There is something about this house that you need to know. If you are looking for a five star hotel with all comfort, then you are in the wrong place. The walls are very thin and you can hear every noise and every motion the others make. You quickly learn that they can hear you all the same and you inconvenience people if you don't behave the right way. Through your courtesy to others, the house teaches you serenity. Because of everyone's effort, it is actually exceptionally quiet. I have felt entirely at peace. The modernized bathroom area has a good shower, good toilets, everything you need. The bathroom is shared, so you are to leave it in a state you would like to find it in yourself, even though I am sure it gets cleaned every day. The bedding is made of mats laid out on the tatami floor. You get a pillow and a thick blanket. I loved my bed and slept really well at night and at daytime all the same. There are bikes waiting outside to complete the picture. The bikes are perfect for getting around Kyoto for free. The receptionist lady was super friendly, too. I entirely love this place.

I regret not having had one more day to stay.

Absolutely love this traditional guesthouse and the warm hospitality of the staff. Room was clean and comfortable, and a simple but hearty breakfast was provided daily. A map of the amenities in the vicinity was provided and detailed thoughtfully. The hall opens to a quaint garden and one could spend a few relaxing hours in the peaceful ambience it provides. Overall a most memorable stay and would most definitely be back when next in Kyoto.

The room was comfortable and the Japanese style was beautiful throughout the hotel. Breakfast was very good and the staff was very friendly.

The location because it was a bit far from several tourist sites around Gion. Even so, there are very good means of transportation very close to the hotel and although it is necessary to get up early, I would stay at the hotel again.

Everything was amazing. The house was very beautiful and the staff was friendly. The room was spacious whit great view from the balcony, the futons were very comfortable. The location is in quiet neighborhood, a bit far form some tourist sites, but that was not problem for us. We enjoyed the calmness of the area, there are some nice cafés and bakeries.