Guesthouse Kyoto Arashiyama

We enjoyed a lot our stay in Arashiyama / Guest House Arashiyama: everything is well managed by a lovely elderly couple, who still can speak English and managed to run the guest house. We appreciated their efforts to keep the traditional and well maintained equipments. If you want to have a simple, yet convenient guest house (best for 2 person and a small child), then please pick this guesthouse. Surrounded is a post office which I withdrew money from the ATM with good exchange rates, a big supermarket to shop fresh foods and everything you ever need, some local shops to eat out (a very nice udon shop if you happened to find with very good prices). Nice points to highlight here: + futon beds - its very comfy on the tatami + tea, coffee, small fridge enough to store some of your snacks + bath is not big but good and a very Japanese way to shower every day + outside you have a little garden shared with the owner (I personally like it) and washmachines for free usage + TV, AC function well but please mind the AC because it is located just above the futon beds so you might not like lying directly under it.

+ Toilet does not have modern Japanese bidet, but we don't really mind at all!

great value, clean, hospitable staff

a bit far from nearby train stations about 10-15 walks

-the owner was super friendly and he let us leave our luggage at his desk on check-out so we could have more time to explore around while we waited for the train to Tokyo -optimal location if you want to be outside the hustle and bustle and be close to the Golden Temple and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest -lots of Izakayas and convenience stores nearby -most of the bus and tram stops are close by and the nearest station is less than a Km away -nice and cozy so you can live the traditional kyoto experience -the neighbourhood is quiet and beautiful during the day and night for a stroll

-as with many places around Japan, cash is preferred to card payments in small businesses so be ready. I wouldn't call it a downside by itself but it's certainly an inconvenience coming from Europe -the photos could make you think the apartment is bigger than it actually is

The main draw of the accommodation is its location which was close to our travel plans and cheap price. I think the accommodation has a much better rating than it deserves because the owner gives you a small packet of matcha when checking out and some crackers when checking in. Hot water was okay and the place is quiet at night.

The accommodation wasn't very clean. Floor and some of the appliances need more cleaning. Especially the tray in the bathroom was very dirty with someone's hair from shaving still present. There were 4!! air fresheners in the toilet with a completely disgusting smell. The equipment of the kitchen was so so and there was no usable stainless steel pot, only completely destroyed teflon pan. The futon was extremely hard. I would appreciate a self check-in.