Len Kyoto Kawaramachi Hostel Cafe & Bar

5th times staying here, it feels like home to me every time I come to Kyoto I’d definitely stay at Len! just the value for the money, good vibes, cafe & bar? clean shared space! I always stayed at bunked room but this time is my first time using the private room, it was really spacious plus high ceiling and big window for natural light. Was great!

The only thing will be the sound proof if you are a light sleeper, please bring your own earplug! even for private rooms, the windows are not thick enough to prevent noise from the road outside…But everything else was great!

Extremely friendly front staff :) Amazing breakfast !!! Try the French toast, granola & yogurt with berries and smoothie. Also evening cocktails were yummy. Super clean place to stay we saw lots of international guests and even some with multiple kids:) it was quite, and the bed was comfortable and clean too. Also this is in my opinion the best place if travelling on foot. The bus stop is right outside and it’s only minutes by bus to the Kyoto station!

Honestly I have nothing negative to say other than I was so sad on check out day when I was informed at the counter the chef wasn’t in so no breakfast that day:(

I loved this hostel! The location is great, near some metro stations and bus stops, and not too far from some attractions. The bed was comfortable, really nice bathrooms and showers. The kitchen area is really nice, with kitchen stuff, microwave, kettle, a fridge, books and seating space with sockets where you can also work or study! The bar downstairs means that you always see people when you come in. The staff are very kind and helpful. I met some really nice travellers too.

The fact that the staff works both for the hostel and for the bar, meant that sometimes the reception (in front of the bar) was empty and I didn't know who I should ask for help from the people at the bar as they seemed busy working. It wasn't a big issue but a bit uncomfortable everytime. The code system at the doors of the rooms looks very old and the numbers are placed in a confusing order, it could be modernized/updated. The sink area on the last floor felt a bit small (two sinks for the whole floor I believe) Please make the ladder for the top bed a bit longer so that it starts closer to the floor, so that it's safer (I was in a bottom bed but my roommates on the top beds were struggling a bit)

Central location--plenty of eating and drinking options within walking distance, though getting to most tourist spots required a long walk or short taxi ride. The cafe/bar downstairs was very convenient. The food wasn't anything special but was very good overall, and the local craft beer selection was excellent. The bunk room was small but comfortable.

The common area was very cozy and was a great place to enjoy a small meal or cup of tea. But it was small and didn't have much comfortable seating (mainly tables and chairs designed for eating rather than relaxing)--since I had top bunk, I would have appreciated a couch or some other soft place to lounge. Also, though the staff was extremely friendly and helpful, there wasn't a lot of tourist info/ideas readily available. I didn't like the location at first, but once I learned how to ride the bus (which was easy and convenient), I appreciated the central location.

Location was superb! Staff were very friendly and helpful. Rooms were a generous size with tall ceilings. Bathrooms were clean and a good size as well. The cafe downstairs was also a plus, good coffee in the morning - we didn’t eat here because there are so many other good options around, but the food looked okay.

No shelving or places to put anything on when you are on the top bunk (phone and water bottle were falling off). Only 1 washing machine for the whole place, definitely could have made it easier to have another one available.

The staff were absolutely incredible. So kind and welcoming. They spoke english and Japanese so it was easy to communicate with them. The hostel itself is stunning. Its so picturesque and in the best location. Its close to shopping, the river, and so many amazing restaurants and Kyoto's bar scene. They provided towels and ear plugs as well! The bed was very big! The common room is set up to be fully livable and work able (great for a digital nomad). The cafe downstairs had non-dairy coffee options and really good coffee in general. Such a calm atmosphere to be in. They do have an elevator and were able to hold our luggage for us on our last day while we finished exploring!

The walls are thin, so the supplied earplugs are needed. The bed was not very comfortable (the linens were great though). There is no hot water out of any of the sink taps, including in the room or common bathroom area. Only the showers have hot water which was a bit unpleasant when washing my face, but not terrible. Unfortunately the heating unit in our room was so loud we couldn't use it. It sounded like it needed repairs. We didn't complain though because it wasn't too cold during our stay for it to have been a major concern.

Len is a Hostel I always come back to when in Kyoto, the staff are friendly and welcoming and share a great enthusiasm for working. The other guests are friendly and love to have a chat. There's a downstairs cafe, that provides breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as bar options too. If that's not your thing, there's a common area with large tables and a kitchen + laundry for anything you need to do.

The laundry was only 1 washer and 1 dryer, for 3 floors of guests. One down side was I found myself wanting to use the laundry facilities and people's finished loads were sitting inside still (not the hostel's fault). If there were washing baskets or bags available around, you could put their loads in so you don't have to wait for that person to come back.

Clean facilities and an appropriate quietness for sleeping. Nice communal space to use in the mornings. Appreciated the kitchen amenities that were provided. The personal lights for each bed were nice and other people's lights didn't feel invasive when I was sleeping

The smell of the rooms were pretty unpleasant. It also hot quite hot in the top space of the bunk beds, I saw that there was a small fan but it was only on by the bottom beds. Could use more space in the bathroom to put my stuff instead of the floor.

Loved the bar/cafe on first floor. Very convenient and staff is super welcoming. The location is a 8-10 min walk from subway stations (a little bit of a trek to and from Kyoto station) but very convenient to bus lines (one stop is right out front for the station and major sites. Very close (walking distance) to Higashiyama and Gion district as well as countless food options. We stayed in a private room and it was huge - the largest room we had during our two weeks in Japan. Shared Bathrooms were clean and easily accessible, never had an issue with congestion. Staff was super friendly and gave us a great sake bar recommendation - our fav of the trip. Very grateful for the free rental umbrellas during a downpour. Would absolutely recommend this hostel and stay again!

Was a little pricey but it was Golden Week, so overall a fair value!

I liked that the bus stop was right in front of the hostel. It is very convenient . The hostel staff greeted me warmly. I was in a female dorm with 6 beds and the noise level was acceptable, the guests had conciousness to try to be quiet after 9pm and the people who picked this hostel are friendly too. Met some really nice girls here. There is only 2 bathroom, 2 toilets and 1 hair dryer but didnt seem to be a problem as somehow u dont really have to wait. The beds were comfortable.

I was in the top bunk and the bed moved alot when the bottorm bunk people turn and toss. It kept me awake for quite awhile as you keep getting jolted awake until I spoke to the girl. So i wish the beds were studier.