Gion Kyoto Miyagawacyo Guesthouse HANAKANZASHI

I stayed for a couple of nights (October 2015) in the male dorm on the first floor. The bunks were the best I have ever stayed in, spotlessly clean, working individual power sockets and reading light, I felt very at home. There's probably about 10-14 bunks in the male dorm, the females I don't know. Both male and female dorms basically in same room just with a thin partition wall (does not reach ceiling) and password access door. I think there were another 2-3 people in my dorm, very very quiet. Great sleep. There's a small individual locker in the room you can use but passport and a few small electronics is all it will hold, will not take a day pack of anything like that ( or a laptop). I left some of my stuff in my bunk, no issues. Also a fridge at bottom of dorm you can use. The only person on reception when I arrived was an elderly Japanese lady, we couldn't communicate a word but she was very nice and I got a good feel on arrival. Plan on getting any travel/transport/sightseeing info elsewhere if you don't speak Japanese (main train station had an unbelievably comprehensive tourist information). The common area had a couple of washing machines and dryers - coin operated. The common area had a computer or two but it is a tiny area 4-5 people and its bunged. I ended up sitting in the little restaurant bit just of reception as common room is a bit naff. I wasn't sure if you were meant to or not but it was only me and the elderly lady so not exactly busy. No one seemed to mind. There are two very, very nice showers on 1st floor, for me I had access whenever I wanted due to low occupancy but with a full dorm you may wait a bit. I stayed mid week and wanted to extend my stay into the weekend, there was no chance, booked solid. The lack of people mid week had given me a false sense of security. Seems it gets busy busy in weekends, not a shocker I guess. If you think you'll stay into/over the weekend book it up as soon as. There are good areas for food within walking distance, a metro station 5-10 mins walk away (just check route, most likely you will need to change). The closest bus stop I could get coming out of town was on the other side of the river, then it's a nice 10-15 minute walk. I liked this as it gave me the opportunity to grab a beer in some of the more lively hostels nearby on the way back in the evening. I would stay here again for sure.