Hostel & Cottage · Nishijin, Kyoto
Live in Kyoto. Stay in Nishijin.
Private rooms in a hostel, or an entire cottage — both in Nishijin, a quiet residential neighborhood in the heart of old Kyoto.
Two ways to stay in Nishijin.
Guest voices.
Over 5,000 guest reviews, averaging 4.9 out of 5.
Seamless check in with plenty of information creatively given about the neighbourhood. Hostel room with shared bathroom was gorgeous and never felt ‘hostelly’. … You feel that not once have they opted for a cheap option - so it feels less like a hostel and more like a boutique hotel.
Our check in with Nana was very nice too. She recommended many great spots for us to eat and see. We would have missed an amazing craft market had she not told us about it. … We adored this neighborhood and if we wouldn’t have stayed at Expo we might not have spent much time up here.
This house was the best place we stayed during our two-week trip to Japan. We traveled with our two daughters and truly felt at home here from the moment we arrived. … The house itself was wonderful, the bakery directly across the street was fantastic, and the hosts were incredibly helpful and responsive.
Everything you need is already close.
Nishijin is one of Kyoto's historic living neighborhoods — an old weaving district where everyday life still feels close to its craft history. Home to textile workshops, a public bathhouse, small parks, and an everyday rhythm that's hard to find closer to the tourist center. It's quieter here, and that's the point.
Getting here
Nishijin is not the busiest part of Kyoto — and that is part of its charm. From Kyoto Station, guests can reach the area by city bus, then walk from the nearest bus stop to Expo Hostel & Cottage. Once you’re here, free bicycles with every cottage, Jin and the Nishi rooms make it easy to get around like a local. Getting around by bus, bike and on foot
More than a key
手作りの地図とガイドブックでお迎えします。
When you arrive, we sit down with you for a proper welcome — and you leave with a printed pack we update every month:
- Our hand-drawn map of everything within a 10-minute walk: bakeries, ramen, izakaya, Funaoka Onsen, Daitokuji, Funaokayama and the nearest bus stops
- A Kyoto transit map
- Craft markets and local events happening during your stay
- A one-page comic on how to use a Japanese public bath, in English and Chinese
- Cycling rules, including where you can’t ride or park (much of Gion) and why the Kamo River path is the best ride in town
In your room, a handmade guidebook goes further: our favourite cafés, bakeries and sweet shops with a map QR code, rainy-day ideas, how everything in the room works, and a few Japanese phrases to try.
We’re here every day of the year. Message us anytime and our team will reply within a day, usually much sooner.
Made for longer stays.
For guests who want a slower Kyoto stay — quiet streets, simple rooms, local life, and time to settle in. A good base for remote work, photography, family stays, and travelers drawn to Kyoto's culture and seasons.
How booking works
2–13 nights
Find a room you like and book it on Airbnb, where you can see availability and prices for your dates. Questions before booking? Message us from the room’s Airbnb listing.
See rooms14 nights or more
Tell us your dates and what brings you to Kyoto. Long stays are arranged directly with our team, and we’ll reply within a day.
Ask about a long stayWhichever way you book, we’ll welcome you in person at check-in and help you settle into Nishijin.
Questions before you book
Why do I book on Airbnb?
For stays of 2–13 nights, Airbnb shows live availability and prices for your dates. Each room page links straight to its listing.
Can I stay longer than two weeks?
Yes. Long stays of 14 nights or more are arranged directly with our team. How long stays work
Are children welcome?
Yes, in all our cottages, and every cottage has a baby cot. Pets are not allowed.
Is there parking?
Cottage guests get free parking for one car, a few seconds from our office.
Stay in Nishijin
A private room or a whole house, for a few nights or a few months. Come and live a little of everyday Kyoto with us.