Reviews for Japan Family-run, Friendly and Cheap Inn

We do enjoy staying in Wakamiya. It takes5-8 mins walk from the inn to Kyoto station. There are some restaurant and convienience store nearby. You can sleep well here as it’s quite quiet in the night. Staffs are caring and helpfeul, they prepare you a hot towel and snacks when you’re back. Free wifi and a computer is available at the lobby.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From Hong Kong
Jul ‘11
Stayed at Ryokan Wakamiya , Kyoto City

May‘12
Stayed at Kawaguchiko Station Inn, Mount Fuji Yamanashi Pref.

The ryokan is very functional, has everything you would expect (including wireless internet, no laundry though). If there was air-con in the room we could not work out how to use it, but opening the window did the trick for us. Didn’t use the onsen. The staff were very helpful. Easy access to the station, if you take the subway (underground walkway) from the station almost all the way to the end (away from the station) using the exit Higashi Hongan-ji temple and then walk along the side (not the front) of the temple, the ryokan is a few blocks down. There is a big sign saying Wakamiya out the front. I wouldn’t say its the best place we stayed in Japan at but was certainly very good. Functional ryokan in good location.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From UK
Apr ‘10
Stayed at Ryokan Wakamiya , Kyoto City

We stayed for one night in a Western style room which included a bathroom. The room was small but for one night it didn’t really matter. We also booked the meals which included a Kaiseki dinner as well as a traditional Japanese Breakfast. The food was excellent and the price is reasonable. The staff at this Minshuku is very friendly although their english is limited. They will also store your luggage for the day if you have a late train connection. Coming from Hakone where we had a big Onsen (Japanese bath) at our premises, the Onsen at the Kuwataniya was really small and basic.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From Switzerland
Sep. ‘10
Stayed at Minshuku Kuwataniya, Hida Takayama

Living in Japan
Jan.’12
Stayed at Wafu-no Yado Masuya Yudanaka Nagano Pref.

Chita Guest Inn is a lovely guesthouse, only a short walk from Kyoto train station. The first thing you’ll see is the most friendly patron of the guesthouse; she was very welcoming, and helped us out with a lot of stuff such as finding nice restaurants, finding the right modes of transportation and other tips. The whole Inn has a nice traditional atmosphere to it, and your room has tatami mats and kimonos waiting for you. There is a computer with free internet (and free wifi), and a roofterrace.

From Netherlands
Oct. ‘11
Stayed at Chita Guest Inn, Kyoto City

Location/ Local Attractions:
It was easy to find your pension, thanks to the directionson your website. We spent the day walking around Motomachi and the Harbourside…..in the snow ! Your pension was so convenient for sight-seeing !
Staff: The staff were very friendly, helpful, and efficient - not only with information about the area, but also explaining current affairs ( Sumo and politics and the Imperial Family ! ).
Character: The atmosphere of the pension is delightful-bright, airy, warm and welcoming. We appreciated the internet, music, and magazines in the lounge, and the care with which it has been decorated. The room was quiet, spacious and very comfortable. We enjoyed the dokudami (herb) bath very much, and the breakfasts were filling and delicious. We felt very much at home…..thank you !! Yes, we would definitely recommend your pension to our friends !

From Australia
Stayed at B&B Pension Hakodate-mura, Hakodate in Hokkaido

From USA
Jan. ‘12
Stayed at Yasuda Pension, Hida Takayama.

This is a family inn located conveniently between Takayama train station and the major tourist areas of Takayama. The room was spacious and clean and had a fridge for any food purchases. There were shared toilets, and also hot-spring baths (one for men, one for women). They offer dinner and breakfast, but we only had the breakfast there, which was Japanese-style and delicious. Not much English was spoken by staff, but there was enough to get by with our smattering of Japanese. We were the only Western guests there which was a fun experience. This is not an extravagant place to stay, but is certainly a good budget traditional accommodation option.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From Australia
Feb. ‘11
Stayed at Minshuku Kuwataniya, Hida Takayama

We really enjoyed our stay here. The views of Mt Fuji were spectacular, especially from the onsen. The rooms and bathrooms were clean and tidy. We especialy enjoyed the lounge, they have a section where you can dress in traditional Japanese dress and take photo’s. Also an electronic dart board, a big TV and free tea and coffee. We liked this place so much we stayed an extra night.

From England
Jan‘12
Stayed at Kawaguchiko Station Inn, Mount Fuji Yamanashi Pref.