Overview
A townhouse-inspired exterior opens onto contemporary interiors and courtyards at Kyoto Granbell Hotel in Kyoto-Gion. Exit 6 of Gion-Shijo Station is about two minutes away on foot, while the Kamo River and the streets around Hanamikoji are also nearby. You can explore Gion's restaurants and streets on foot, then walk back after dinner. If you're arriving by Shinkansen, you'll need an onward train or taxi from Kyoto Station.
Rooms
Rooms range from 17.5 to 23.3 square meters, so bed size, flooring, and floor level are worth comparing before booking. The 17.6-square-meter Japanese Moderate Double has tatami flooring and a 150-centimeter-wide bed. For two separate beds and more floor space, the Japanese Premier Twin provides 23.3 square meters with two 110-centimeter-wide beds. These Japanese-style rooms have beds rather than futons laid on the floor.
The Premier King places a 195-centimeter-wide bed in a 17.7-square-meter room, so the wider bed doesn't bring much additional floor space. Moderate Double and Universal Twin rooms are on the basement floor, where windows face small courtyards rather than the street. The Universal Twin measures 23 square meters. All rooms are nonsmoking, and there are no connecting rooms, which limits the options for groups hoping to stay together.
Facilities
Komorebi, the basement public bath, has separate bathing areas for men and women overlooking a garden. Reserved for hotel guests, it opens from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. That leaves time for a bath before breakfast or after an evening out.
The lounge overlooks a courtyard and provides complimentary coffee, with seating available around the clock. There's space to read or plan the next day outside your room. For longer trips, two paid washing machines and two dryers are available 24 hours a day on the basement floor.
Dining
Takedokoro serves a Japanese and Western breakfast buffet, including Kyoto home-style side dishes known as obanzai. You can also assemble a bowl of rice with toppings and a roasted-tea-flavored broth. Breakfast runs from 7 to 11 a.m., with last entry at 10:30 a.m.; check whether your rate includes it.
Konjiki is the evening bar, with gold-leaf bottle shelves and an old carved wooden panel in its interior. Usual hours are 5 to 11 p.m., with last orders at 10:30 p.m., although opening times may be shortened. For dinner, restaurants in Gion and across the river in Pontocho are within walking distance.
Location and transport
Gion-Shijo is the closest station and serves the Keihan line. Across the river, Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line is about seven minutes away via Exit 1B.
From Kyoto Station, a taxi takes around 15 minutes when traffic allows. The rail alternative is to take the JR Nara Line one stop to Tofukuji, then change to a Keihan train for Gion-Shijo. It requires a transfer but avoids relying on a road journey across the city.
Airport access
From Kansai International Airport, the Haruka limited express runs directly to Kyoto Station. Continue by taxi, or take the JR Nara Line and connect to the Keihan line at Tofukuji. The airport train doesn't serve Gion-Shijo, so allow time for the final part of the journey.
Why stay here
An evening in Gion doesn't have to end with a train ride back to your room, and the public bath remains open late. The combination of small bedrooms and shared spaces is best suited to travelers who expect to spend much of the day exploring, with a lounge and bath to use when they return.
Hanamikoji is about five minutes away on foot, with traditional teahouses along the street and Kenninji Temple at its southern end. Across the river, Pontocho's narrow alley of wooden buildings has restaurants and bars for an evening out. Respect photography restrictions and the privacy of people working in Gion.
Good to know
Standard check-in begins at 3 p.m. and checkout is at noon, subject to your rate. The hotel has no parking or affiliated car park, so drivers must arrange nearby paid parking separately. Contact reception if you expect to arrive after midnight.
2-minute walk