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Guest house · Kyoto · Kyoto

Guesthouse Soi

A calm, well-kept guesthouse in Higashiyama Ward, close to pottery stores, tea houses, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

  • 9.5 guest rating from 1,381 reviews
  • Traditional Japanese-style rooms available
  • Homemade breakfast with fish and jam
9.5 Perfect 1381 reviews Booking.com 9.5 · 1381 reviews

About

Guesthouse Soi

Guesthouse Soi sits in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, an area known for its traditional pottery shops, tea houses, and kaiseki restaurants. It's about a 25-minute walk from Kyoto Tower, and guests regularly mention being within easy reach of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and other sights.

The property blends modern comfort with Japanese character: soundproofed rooms, free Wi-Fi throughout, air conditioning and heating, plus shared spaces like a terrace, garden, and a leisure/TV room. A shared kitchen and laundry facilities add practicality for longer stays. Breakfast is a highlight — homemade jam, fish, and juice are frequently praised.

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Concierge desk
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Exceptional staff service — Guests consistently praise the helpfulness and attentiveness of the team, from check-in to local tips.
  • Prime Higashiyama location — Set in a quiet residential area yet within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera, Imahie Shrine, and other sights.
  • Highly rated rooms and comfort — Rooms score 9.6, with guests noting stylish decor, comfortable beds, and modern amenities like air conditioning and soundproofing.
  • Memorable homemade breakfast — The traditional breakfast with fish, toast, and homemade jam earns special mention in several reviews.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Limited check-in window — Check-in is only between 15:00 and 21:00, so late arrivals need to plan ahead.
  • No pets allowed — The property does not accept pets, so those travelling with animals must look elsewhere.
  • Not all rooms have private bathrooms — Some room types, including the twin and Japanese-style options, share bathroom facilities, which may not suit everyone.
  • Early check-out time — Check-out is between 07:00 and 10:00, which is earlier than many hotels and may feel rushed for leisurely mornings.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Shared Bathroom Twin Room

  • 2 Single beds

Loft

  • 1 Single bed

4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room

Shared Bathroom Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room

Private Bathroom Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room

Deluxe Room

  • 1 King-size bed

Japanese-Style Shared Bathroom Room

  • 1 Bed in shared room

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Electric blankets
  • Carpeted floor

Food & Drink

  • Coffee shop
  • Shared kitchen
  • Electric kettle
  • Dinner
  • Free toiletries

Services

  • Concierge desk
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Laundry
  • Ironing facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Common Areas

  • Terrace
  • Sun terrace
  • Garden area
  • Leisure/TV room

Family & Activities

  • Board games
  • Children's play area
  • Badminton

Safety

  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

9.5
Perfect 1381 reviews

Guest-rated 9.5/10 from 1,381 reviews

Booking.com · 9.5 · 1381 reviews
9.5Verified guest

“I had a great holiday stay here; the staff were incredibly friendly and excellent.”

9.5Verified guest

“The restaurant was nice and breakfast was particularly good — fish and juice, for example. Great location within walking distance of Imahie Shrine.”

9.5Verified guest

“A lovely, pretty hotel in Kyoto. The staff are very helpful and attentive, and the rooms are well equipped with a private bathroom and very comfortable. The location is ideal for the nearest subway station. Thank you for a genuinely good stay — I can't recommend it highly enough.”

9.5Verified guest

“We stayed in a unique Japanese-style room. The shared bathroom was fairly clean. The location was great, near Guesthouse Soi for three nights, with bike parking spots. The Higashiyama Ward district was definitely worth exploring.”

9.5Verified guest

“The staff were very helpful and attentive, and gave us great tips. The hotel's breakfast was traditional and enjoyable — toast, fish, and homemade jam — and satisfied any taste. The location was ideal in a quiet neighbourhood. We had a really good time and would stay again.”

9.5Verified guest

“Everything was perfect; the staff were really accommodating and the location was fantastic.”

04 — Location

Getting around Kyoto

The property sits in Kyoto.

Higashiyama Ward: Known for traditional pottery stores, tea houses, and restaurants serving multi-course kaiseki meals, this district is a cultural highlight of Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple: A short walk from the guesthouse, this famous temple is mentioned by guests as easily reachable on foot.

Kyoto Tower: About a 25-minute walk away, this landmark offers city views and is a convenient reference point for the area.

509-2 Shimouma-Machi, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0873, Japan

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 15:00-21:00
Check-out
By 07:00-10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
14 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 15:00 to 21:00, and check-out is between 07:00 and 10:00.

Are pets allowed at the property?

No, pets are not allowed on site.

Is breakfast available, and what is it like?

Yes, breakfast is offered and guests frequently praise it — featuring items like fish, toast, homemade jam, and juice.

Do all rooms have private bathrooms?

No, some room types such as the Shared Bathroom Twin Room and Japanese-Style Shared Bathroom Room share facilities, while others like the Queen Room and Deluxe Room have private bathrooms.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

Does the guesthouse have parking?

There is no information about parking facilities at Guesthouse Soi.

The bottom line

Guesthouse Soi delivers a consistently excellent stay in one of Kyoto's most atmospheric districts. The high ratings across staff, rooms, and value are reflected in guest reviews, and the homemade breakfast adds a memorable touch. If you can work with the check-in window and don't mind a shared bathroom in some room types, this is a standout choice for exploring Higashiyama.

9.5A reliable, highly rated base in Kyoto's historic heart.

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