The hosts are so welcoming and warm! They really made us feel welcome and also took time to get to know us. The place is very cozy and comfortable. The shared toilets and showers were all very clean, and the room we had (for 2 people) was sufficient for us to lay out our luggage. The futons were very comfortable and warm as well. This location is great too! It's away from the city centre so it's not as crowded, and there's lots of food around and things to do. We really enjoyed our stay here and would happily stay again!

If you're on the second or third floor, take note that you will need to carry your luggage up stairs!

The shower and room was very nice and spacious. It was very clean. There was clear instructions for the toilet and the kitchen area in English for us to understand. The staff was very kind! The staff even helped us book our dinner reservation in Japanese. The host also spoke English and/or Chinese. There was a washer available for our use.

There was no elevator so we had to carry our large heavy luggage up to the third floor. It would be good if we could specify beforehand whether we have large luggage and could possibly be placed on a lower floor. The drying rack was a bit too small for three people but we made it work.

I absolutely loved this guesthouse. Honestly, I was sad I had to leave. The traditional Japanese style rooms are incredibly comfortable and spacious. The location is excellent, close to public transportation and good restaurants. The family that runs the guesthouse is so kind and friendly. I had an issue with the wifi my first day and they fixed it immediately. The shared facilities are all excellent. Easily the cleanest shared bathroom I’ve experienced traveling thus far and a free washing machine. The value for money is unbeatable, I highly recommend staying here!

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I had a lovely nice sized room. it was well organised, very clean, lovely facilities including a washing machine, very quiet. It had a nice little kitchen area which meant I could make tea or keep food refrigerate. The staff were also so helpful with maps and directions. I could see the work that went into keeping this place in great condition.

I liked most of it and enjoyed my stay. However it was tough to get up and down off a floor with the futon although I have been doing Pilates to practice , and the bed was hard making it difficult to get a decent night's sleep.But I like to have authentic experiences when travelling.

I can’t say enough good things about the property. We stayed here for 10 days and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. The guest house is located on a quiet street in an area outside of the busier parts of Kyoto, but access to trains and buses is quick and easy. The stroll along Teramachi street past antique shops and various restaurants and bakeries is delightful. Nishiki market and the modern commercial center are about a leisurely 20 minute walk away. The traditional tatami rooms in the guesthouse are basic but very comfortable. We were on the third floor and the common area has all the facilities for preparing meals. We chose to eat most breakfasts at the guesthouse. All the facilities are immaculately clean. As a pleasant surprise, the washing machine is simple to use and free. The staff ( Mother and daughter I believe ) are lovely. The daughter speaks very good English and is helpful in answering all questions. As an aside, my partner had a slight medical issue and there is a clinic close by with English speaking doctors who sorted her quickly and professionally. In summary, an excellent stay!

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The staff was super helpful - they carried all our luggage to the top floor (steep steps!) and the same for when we left. We left our luggage with them on our last day until 3pm without having to pay for the storage, which was really sweet of them. Exceptionally clean facilities, fresh bedsheets and comfortable tatami floors. The washing machine can be used for free and on each floor there are shower and toilet, and a small kitchen where you can cook or eat whatever you bring. Plenty of utensils and plates,cups, tea. Anything you might need. The hotel is in a really good location, few minutes walking to the Imperial Palace and its gardens, and close to the main bus stops that go around the city. Easy to get there from any direction.

It's one minute from the closest bus stop, which is very convenient if you have heavy luggage with you, but there are tube stations within walking distance. The Imperial Palace is just a short walk away! The staff is super lovely and helpful.

The small stairs can be dangerous for someone who's carrying heavy stuff. I absolutely loved my room (it was a single room with a tatami mat, incredibly large (it could easily accommodate a decent-size group) with great storage space, and the futon was super comfortable. But unfortunately, it was literally in front of the communal area and it shared a wall with the communal bathroom, so it was pretty annoying despite my earplugs because I had people waking me up super early in the morning or late at night. If you are a light sleeper like myself, my advice is to check with them before booking.

We booked with the Guest House Abiya for 3 nights, such a lovely cozy house! All services included, kitchen, shower, washing machine, umbrellas that were very useful for the rainy day, air-conditioning. The place becomes very quiet at night. The location is great, close to Pontocho neighbour, The Imperial Palace, lots of transport. The hosts are very helpful and friendly. We'd definitely come back here next time too. Big thanks

The smell of the tatami floor could be a bit strong at first glance. Nevertheless, you get used to it pretty quickly.

It was so lovely, simple and peaceful. Loved the Japanese style rooms with bamboo floor and very comfortable futons. It was quiet and very clean, and felt like home. They had a free washing machine with laundry detergent! You could use dishes in the shared kitchen and they would wash them for you! The lighting in the room was beautiful. I had a balcony too which was nice to get some free air. I was worried about sharing bathrooms and needing toilet when it was unavailable but it was never a problem during my multi-night stay and I stayed during high peak autumn season. Overall, I highly recommend to anyone, even those who generally prefer not sharing kitchen or bathroom with other guests. It’s worth it, and it’s a much better (and cheaper) experience than another hotel room!

I wish they had a machine for free drinking water so we could refill water bottles. I know the tap water is safe but it tastes a little odd all across most of Japan to me, so I always find myself drinking less water. I end up buying water from convenience stores which is bad for environment.

The owner was especially friendly to me when she discovered that I spoke Chinese. It was nice meeting many guests staying there from Taiwan. The location permitted easy access to many sights around the Heian Shrine, was within walking distance of popular shopping streets, and most buses on the main street went to and from Kyoto Station.

Being on the third floor meant climbing some steep stairs.