Hiyori Juraku: Kyoto's Hidden Gem You NEED to See!
Hiyori Juraku: Kyoto's Hidden Gem? Or Just Another Luxury Hotel? Let's Find Out! (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I've just emerged, blinking, from the zen-like cocoon that is Hiyori Juraku in Kyoto. And let me tell you, the feeling's still settling. This place… it's got layers. Loads of layers. Like, a thousand-year-old temple layered on top of a Michelin-starred restaurant, sprinkled with a dash of "I'm-too-rich-to-care" attitude.
First things first. Accessibility: The website claims accessibility. They say they've got facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally test this, as I don't use a wheelchair, but I'm looking for a real-world feedback. Anyone else have any experience? Let's get this nailed down because this is a big deal, folks. (Accessibility = Unsure for now).
Getting There & Staying There (The Practical Bits):
- Access: Airport transfer's an option, phew. Less navigating those insane Kyoto train stations post-flight is a win in anyone's book. (Airport Transfer = Good)
- Getting Around: Free car park! Honestly, with Kyoto's parking situation, that's practically gold. Car park on-site, even better. (Car Park [free of charge], Car park [on-site] = Excellent)
- Check-in/out: You've got the options of express or private. I’m always up for a private check-in just for the sheer awkward social isolation. Less human interaction, the better, really. (Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private] = Fine)
- Facilities for disabled guests: (TBD - would love to hear from other guests!)
- Facilities: Laundry and dry cleaning? Yes, please. Because let's be honest, I traveled with three outfits and a mountain of shame. (Laundry service, Dry cleaning = Yes)
Rooms: Luxury or Just Overpriced?
Now, let's dive into the holy grail: the rooms. I splurged (okay, my credit card splurged) on a room. And the good? It was beautiful. Available in all rooms: air conditioning, alarm clocks, bathrobes, bathtub, closet, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed, free bottled water, hair dryer, high floor, internet access – LAN, internet access – wireless, ironing facilities, laptop workspace, linens, mini bar, mirror, non-smoking, on-demand movies, private bathroom, reading light, refrigerator, safety/security feature, satellite/cable channels, scale, seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers, smoke detector, socket near the bed, sofa, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, umbrella, visual alarm, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and window that opens.
- The Blackout Curtains: They were a game-changer. Seriously, blocking out that Kyoto sunshine? Pure bliss. (Blackout Curtains = Awesome)
- The Slippers: Plush, comfortable, and practically glued to my feet. I may have even taken a pair home…don't judge me. (Slippers = Guilty Pleasure)
- Internet: Wi-Fi was free and actually worked, unlike some hotels where you spend half your trip wrestling with a dead signal. (Wi-Fi [free] = Essential)
- The Mini Bar: Fully stocked, as any proper mini bar should be. Let’s say I sampled liberally. (Mini Bar = Dangerously Tempting)
- Decor: The room? Stunning. Traditional Japanese with a modern twist. Think clean lines, natural materials, and enough space to actually breathe. (Room Decorations = Beautiful)
- The View: I'd requested a high floor and was rewarded with a postcard-worthy vista. The sun rising over the Kyoto rooftops… chef's kiss. (High Floor, View = Magical)
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, The World):
Okay, let's be real. The world’s a messy place, and cleanliness is key. Hiyori Juraku seems to understand this.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere you turn: Check.
- (Hygiene certification): Check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
This place seemed to be going over the top, making me feel safe. I'm not always so trusting, but they seemed to have truly put safety first. (Cleanliness and Safety = A+ Confidence)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, and My Waistline Regrets):
This is where Hiyori Juraku truly shines. I'm still drooling a week later.
- Restaurants: Multiple. From authentic Japanese to international cuisine. It's a foodie's paradise. (Restaurants = Incredible)
- Breakfast [buffet]: AMAZING. A little bit of everything. A little bit of everything amazing. (Breakfast [buffet] = Paradise)
- Asian breakfast / Cuisine: Delicious, delicate, and a perfect way to start the day. (Asian breakfast = Divine)
- International Cuisine: The food was high quality, and the chefs clearly put their hearts into it. (International Cuisine = 10/10)
- Poolside Bar: Because, why not sip a perfectly crafted cocktail while gazing at a stunning view? (Poolside Bar = Living the Life)
- Room Service [24-hour]: Because sometimes, you just need a late-night ramen fix in your fluffy bathrobe. (Room Service [24-hour] = Necessary)
Here's a stream of consciousness-esque anecdote: I ordered room service the first night. I was tired, overwhelmed, and battling jet lag. The ramen arrived, a work of art, complete with delicate seaweed and perfectly cooked noodles. The waiter, polite and efficient, set it down, bowed, and disappeared. Alone in my room, with that steaming bowl of goodness, I experienced a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss. It was, in short, perfection. And I’m not even a big ramen person!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (The "Me Time" Department):
- Pool with view: This is what dreams are made off. You've got a pool with an incredible view-- what could be better? (Pool with view = Incredible)
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: All present and accounted for. I'm not a huge spa person, but the sauna was amazing. (Spa/Sauna/Steamroom = Relaxation Station)
- Gym/fitness: My inner voice says, “Don’t you dare!”. But its nice to have it there. (Gym/fitness = Helpful)
Services and Conveniences (The Boring But Necessary Stuff):
- Concierge: Super helpful and friendly. They helped me book a geisha experience, which was, by the way, unforgettable (and a bit awkward, in a good way). (Concierge = Excellent)
- Doorman: Always a smile, always a helping hand. (Doorman = Good Vibes)
- Luggage storage: Crucial. Because you're going to buy ALL the souvenirs. (Luggage storage = Essential)
- Cash withdrawal: Yes, they got that! (Cash withdrawal = convenient)
For the Kids / Family Friendly:
The hotel is Family/child friendly, with Babysitting service. (For the kids = Very Helpful)
Overall Impression: Is Hiyori Juraku Worth It?
Look, it's expensive. Let's not kid ourselves. This isn't a budget backpacker's hostel. But is it worth the price tag?
Honestly? Yes.
It's a splurge, but it's an experience. The service is impeccable. The food is divine. The rooms are luxurious. The location is ideal. It's a place where you can truly unwind, disconnect from the chaos, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Kyoto.
My Verdict: Hiyori Juraku is highly recommended.
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Tired of Ordinary? Escape to Kyoto's Hidden Gem: Hiyori Juraku!
Experience the ultimate in luxury and tranquility at Hiyori Juraku, Kyoto's premier hotel. Indulge in:
- Stunning rooms: Featuring blackout curtains, free Wi-Fi, and breathtaking views.
- World-class dining: From traditional Japanese breakfasts to poolside cocktails.
- Unwind in The Spa: with a pool with a view, sauna, and steam room.
- Exceptional service: A dedicated concierge and a team committed to your comfort.
- Unbeatable location: Explore Kyoto's top attractions with ease.
- Family-friendly: with babysitting services available.
- **
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into… well, my head, basically, as I stumble through Hiyori Juraku, Kyoto. This ain't your sanitized brochure version of a trip, folks. This is the truth. And the truth is… I'm already sweating.
Hiyori Juraku, Kyoto - A Hot Mess of a Journey (So Far)
Day 1: Arrival and Oh God, So Many Temples (And Stairs)
- 4:00 AM (Ish). Wake up. No, really, wake because the jet lag decided to host a rave in my brain. I blame it, and the rooster outside my apartment.
- 8:00 AM (ish). Land at Kansai International Airport. Immigration? Smooth as butter. Except… I forgot to pack my power adapter. Cue a full-blown internal panic. Google Maps pointed me in the right direction, I finally got a charger, and I breathed again.
- 11:00 AM. Arrived at the Hiyori Juraku. Okay, cute. REALLY cute. Like, everything's perfectly minimalist and that's the problem. It's not lived-in, and it's a little overwhelming at first. I feel obligated to be zen just to keep up. I’m pretty sure I already broke the rules by leaving my shoes on the floor while unloading my luggage.
- 12:00 PM. Lunch! Found a tiny ramen shop. The broth was so good, I practically slurped the bowl clean. Almost knocked over a little old lady with my excitement. I tried ordering "Umami" but said "Mummy" instead. Mortified.
- 2:00 PM. Okay, temples. Fushimi Inari Shrine. Pictures don't do it justice. The vermilion torii gates… mind-blowing. Lost my mind, took way too many photos, and momentarily considered becoming a professional Instagrammer. Then I remembered I have terrible editing skills. The hike up was… intense. Remember the stairs? Yeah, they’re relentless. My thighs are screaming. I almost tripped over a stray cat. It judged me. I think I judged me.
- 5:00 PM. Kiyomizu-dera Temple. More stairs. More crowds. But the view! Worth the climb, I guess. Saw a monk sweeping the steps. I briefly considered asking him for the secret to inner peace. Hesitated. The answer probably involves more stairs.
- 7:00 PM. Dinner. Found a tiny place for dinner. It was a small restaurant, with only 8 seats. The owner was an old lady, maybe in her 80's. It reminded me of my grandmother's kitchen, warm and inviting. The food? Perfect. I ate every bite. The rice was like nothing I've ever tasted.
- 9:00 PM. Crash. Bed. Jet lag wins. I'm pretty sure I forgot to brush my teeth. Oops. Tomorrow, temples. Also, maybe I should learn some more Japanese. "Mummy" isn't cutting it.
Day 2: Zen Gardens and Matcha Mayhem
- 7:00 AM. Woke up early! Or maybe it's the jet lag again. This time I know what to do. Grabbed a coffee. Coffee is good.
- 9:00 AM. Ryoan-ji Temple. Zen garden. Okay, I get it. Rocks. Sand. Contemplation. I tried to emulate the zen. Failed miserably. My brain is still buzzing like a bee.
- 10:30 AM. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Stunning. Absolutely, ridiculously, postcard-worthy stunning. Took approximately 100 photos. One for the memory books, 99 for vanity.
- 12:00 PM. Matcha time! Found a tea house. Ordered a matcha latte. The first sip… bitter. Really, really bitter. I tried to act like a sophisticated tea connoisseur. Failed again. My face was a picture of "What have I done?"
- 1:00 PM. Wandering through the Nishiki Market. Food, glorious food! Pickles, seafood, and all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I bought a weird pickled thing. Still not sure what it is.
- 3:00 PM. Lost. Utterly, completely, gloriously lost. Attempting to follow a map. Clearly, failing. Wandered down a side street. Found some little shops that didn't even realize they were open. Spent the rest of the afternoon there. That wasn't on any itinerary. But that's where the magic was.
- 6:00 PM Back to Hiyori Juraku. Dinner. After a 15 minute search I chose a place called "O-Kura". It turned out to be a traditional restaurant. The wait staff was super friendly, but I couldn't really understand a word they said. I ordered the "Omakase" which I believe means "chef's choice". It was 8 courses, with all sorts of strange delicacies I'd never even heard of before. It was an adventure.
- 9:00 PM. Collapse. Another. Exhaustingly good day.
Day 3: The Unplanned Adventures (And My Love/Hate Relationship With the Subway)
- 8:00 AM. Okay, I'm starting to get the time differences now. Maybe? I think. I'm still tired.
- 9:00 AM. I'm starting to love the subway. The system is ridiculously efficient. Until you get off at an exit and realize it's not actually where you needed to go.
- 10:00 AM. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Honestly? Overcrowded. Still beautiful, but be prepared to elbow your way through the crowds. I saw a couple taking wedding photos. Very cute. Very jealous.
- 12:00 PM. The Tenryu-ji Temple. More garden. It was even more beautiful. It's starting to feel like I'm living in a painting.
- 1:30 PM. A delicious meal! So cheap! I walked around to the area and found a restaurant with a giant bamboo shoot in the entryway.
- 3:00 PM. Found a little bookstore in the backstreets. I don't speak Japanese, but I bought a book anyway. Will look nice on the shelf, I guess.
- 6:00 PM. Seriously considering just staying in this bookstore. I'm just so content reading about places I've never been to.
- 7:00 PM. Back to Hiyori Juraku. I can't believe I'm saying this but it's getting kind of cozy here.
- 8:00 PM. I ordered something I'm not sure what it is, but it smells good.
- 9:00 PM. I think I am finally going to get some sleep tonight.
Day 4: The Zen of Departure (Yeah, Right)
- 8:00 AM. Pack. The worst part. All my stuff doesn't seem to fit where it was coming.
- 9:00 AM. Last stroll around. Try to soak it all in.
- 10:00 AM. Airport. Goodbye, Kyoto. You were beautiful, crazy, and exhausting. I'll be back. Maybe I'll learn Japanese beforehand. Probably not.
- 2:00 PM. Back home! Now I need to take a shower and get out of these clothes.
Final Thoughts (Or, How I Survived Kyoto)
Kyoto is a sensory overload in the best way possible. It’s overwhelming, beautiful, and full of hidden gems. It's a place that challenges you, frustrates you, and ultimately, leaves you breathless. I'm still not sure I'm entirely Zen, but I did learn a few things:
- Stairs are the enemy.
- Matcha is an acquired taste. Or maybe I just didn't get it.
- Get lost. It's the best way to find something truly special.
- And most importantly, embrace the mess. Because life, like a trip to Kyoto, is rarely perfect.
Now, where's that power adapter I left? And a nap. Definitely a nap.
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Hiyori Juraku: Kyoto's Hidden Gem - Or Is It? Your Burning Questions Answered (and My Ramblings Included!)
Okay, so you're thinking about Hiyori Juraku, huh? Good choice! Actually, hold on, let me backtrack… “good choice” is a bit of a loaded statement. It CAN be amazing. It CAN also be… well, a bit of a quest. Prepare yourself, my friend! This isn't your perfectly manicured, Instagram-ready Kyoto experience. This is… *real*.
What *is* Hiyori Juraku, exactly? (Besides being a pain to spell!)
Alright, alright. Deep breaths. Hiyori Juraku is a meticulously preserved Machiya townhouse, a traditional wooden Kyoto house. Think of it as stepping back in time, but with a modern twist. It's not just some dusty old building; it’s been thoughtfully renovated to offer unique lodging and experiences. It’s got a tea room, a garden that practically whispers secrets, and the *ambiance*… oh, the ambiance! It's supposed to be a slice of the real Kyoto, away from the hordes. Emphasis on "supposed".
Honestly, trying to explain it is like trying to describe a dream. You just have to *be* there. But, warning, sometimes the dream is a little… blurry. More on that later. The name itself, Juraku, gives a nod to a famous historic castle with the same name, highlighting a link to the past, while “Hiyori” translates to “fine day,” which, let me tell you, is definitely a gamble when it comes to the weather in Kyoto. (And my mood, sometimes!)
Okay, sounds fancy! Is it expensive?
Let's put it this way: you're not going to get a bargain basement deal. It’s definitely not a hostel. Or even a mid-range hotel, necessarily. Think more… a splurge. Expect to pay a premium for the exclusivity, the experience, and, let's be honest, the bragging rights. But here's the kicker: is it *worth* it? That, my friend, is a question that keeps me up at night.
I stayed there once, and, I’ll be honest, my credit card wept. But I *think* I don't regret it. Mostly. Okay, the memories are priceless… the bill, less so! But hey, sometimes you gotta treat yourself, right? Just, maybe check your bank balance beforehand. And maybe have a backup plan involving instant noodles. Just in case.
What kind of experiences can you have at Hiyori Juraku?
Here's where things get REALLY tempting. They offer a range of activities designed to immerse you in Kyoto culture. Think private tea ceremonies (which, let me tell you, are way more calming than you'd expect), cooking classes where you can learn to make those incredible-looking bento boxes (mine turned out… uh… rustic), garden tours that will make you appreciate the art of pruning, and even the opportunity to just… *be*. To sit in the garden, sip matcha, and pretend you’re a Zen master.
The flexibility is the real draw. I've heard people book the entire place for small groups, creating a truly tailor-made experience. I've seen the pictures, and man, they looked amazing! I, on the other hand, went solo, and… well… let's just say I had a *lot* of time to reflect. And maybe eat too many of those little Kyoto sweets. They're addictive! But the point is, whatever *you* want to experience, they likely have something to fit the bill.
What's the best part about Hiyori Juraku? The *real* best part?
Okay, okay, here's where I get *real*. The best part? The feeling of escaping the chaos. Kyoto can be a beautiful, but crowded, city. Hiyori Juraku offers a sanctuary. A quiet space to breathe. To disconnect from the relentless Instagram feeds and just… *be*. I remember one morning, I woke up to the sound of rain on the paper shutters. I sat in the tea room, drinking my tea, staring out at the mossy garden. For a moment, the world just… vanished. That's the magic.
But here’s a confession: this is where the messiness comes in. Getting there? Finding it? Can be a *struggle*. Google Maps is your friend (mostly), but make sure you have a fully charged phone and a healthy dose of patience. You will probably get a little lost. You *will* probably curse under your breath. It adds to the charm, I guess? Depends on how you feel about "charm." My first trip to Hiyori Juraku was a total fiasco to get there. I booked a taxi, it got lost, it got stuck in traffic, and I was late for the tea ceremony. I was a mess! So, pack your map, your zen attitude, and a good sense of humor. Because honestly, sometimes, it's the imperfections that make the experience unforgettable.
What about the downsides? Be honest!
Okay, let's be brutally honest. First off, the location. It's not *centrally* located. You'll likely need to rely on taxis or public transport to get to the main attractions. It's not *bad*, just… not ideal for someone who wants to hit *everything* on their Kyoto bucket list.
Secondly, and this is crucial: if you're expecting 5-star hotel amenities, you might be disappointed. It's a gorgeous, traditional house. That means thin walls (you'll hear your neighbors), limited space, and maybe a few… quirks. Like the plumbing. (I won’t go into details, but let's just say, carry a phrasebook). It's not always *convenient*, if I am honest. And sometimes, you just feel like you are living in someone's house. And that can be a bit… uncomfortable. It helps to have an open mind, a flexible schedule and not mind a little… *ambiguity*. Because, let's face it, life *is* ambiguous, right?
Then there the communication. The staff are lovely, but if your Japanese is limited, then you're going to be relying on translation apps and a bit of guesswork. (Which, again, is part of the *experience*). I remember trying to explain a dietary restriction and it took me about 20 minutes and several charades to get it across. Hilarious now, but not so much at the time, I can tell you! Finally, some might find it a bit… *too* quiet. If you thrive on constant activity and noise, this might not be the place for you.
Would you go back? Honestly.
That's the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Despite the hurdles, the potential for getting lost, theHotel Search Site
