Guesthouse Engawa

This guesthouse was great! The owners were super friendly and had many suggestions of nearby activities. Although not super close to the Kyoto station, there were several bus routes to take you all over the city (I visited everywhere from Fushimi Inari to Arashiyama and Kinkakuji on the other side of the city). Plenty of amenities, including tea, toiletries, towels, hair dryers, etc. The guesthouse was very clean too. There were lots of nearby food options and easy access to Kiyomizu temple, which was beautiful. Would definitely stay here again!

The dorm beds were a little firm, but I can't really complain for the price!

The host was truly amazing. The kindest person we’ve met, always there to help with a smile. He even took us around the city to show us his favourite spots. Above and beyond is how I would describe this stay.

Everything was perfect

The hosts are the friendliest, kindest and most helpful of any I have encountered. We arrived without a particular plan and were immediately informed of everything happening that evening and how best to travel. Everything you could possibly need is provided for you, including a free laundry service and a free Kyoto tour. Engawa is in a peaceful location close to beautiful temples. Busy with tourists in the daytime but quiet in the evening. It is well connected by frequent buses. The hosts are extremely proud of beautiful Kyoto and it shows. Our thanks go to both of them for their extreme kindness.

Nothing. But manage your expectations when you are staying in a small, traditional style ,Japanese house. There is not a lot of room.

This has been the best guesthouse I've ever stayed in. It is a small but conforteable japanese-style house run by the Li-san couple, who are one of the best hosts I' ve ever encountered, far beyond standard etiquette. For my first time in Japan traveling alone, it had all I needed for a long stay: towels, clean yukata-pijama everyday, shampoo/soap/cleanse/personal hygiene products free if you needed them, free tea/coffe/light drinks... The place is super clean, even so the shared bathroom and shower, and Linda-san will offer you free laundry service if you need. The hot summer of Kyoto is no problem as there is air conditioner in the rooms and inside the house is usually fresh. It is very close to Gojo-Kiyomizu bus stop (bus is the best way to move around the city) and to one of the most visited and beautiful temples in Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera. Souvenir and convenient stores, ceramic workshops and nice restaurants can be found very close to it, and you can always ask the Lis for directions, they have maps and you may borrow books from them about touristic places and things to do around. As I mentioned before, the kindness of the hosts was the best thing. They are really interested in you making the best of your stay, Li-san will tell you all you need to know about the highlights of the city, festivals and activities, and even he offers to take his guests to a free night tour in his car while explaing with honest enthusiasm many details about history and buildings in Kyoto that otherwise you may miss. Linda is so sweet and kind as his husband and she was always checking that I didn't need anything in my room and that I was dealing ok with the heat outside. In my case, I stayed three weeks and I could have not felt more at home, when I arrived late from my seminar they would ask me about my day and cared if I was alright. Linda-san even came to see me at my recital!

nothing! :)

The owners care for the guest was truly amazing! Thank you Family Li.