Your stay — The Old Modern
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Kyoto.
The Property — The Old Modern
A converted 1960s office block in Shimogyo, stripped back to raw concrete with mid-century furniture, tall windows and a black-stained timber lobby. No frills, but honest design for travellers who want a clean, quiet base minutes from Kyoto Station and don’t need a kaiseki dinner or a bathhouse. It feels like an architect’s weekend rental — minimal, slightly cold in vibe but very functional.
Chronicles of Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital from 794 until 1868, laid out on a strict grid modelled after Chang'an. The city survived WWII bombing largely unscathed, preserving over 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens alongside a wooden machiya townhouse stock. Post-war modernisation brought concrete blocks like The Old Modern, but strict height limits keep the skyline low and the temple roofs dominant. Today Kyoto balances a hyper-traditional crafts economy with tech and tourism, and struggles to keep its character under the weight of 30 million annual visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kyoto guide →Best months
October and November for crisp air, Kyoto’s autumn colours (maple and gingko) and fewer tour groups than spring. Late April catches the tail end of cherry blossom season without Golden Week crowds.
Peak / festival surge
April (cherry blossoms) and November (autumn foliage) are the busiest. Hotels like The Old Modern can double in price; many book out six months ahead. The Aoi Matsuri (May 15) and Gion Matsuri (all July) also spike demand significantly.
Budget shoulder season
January and February are cheapest — cold but quiet, with occasional snow. August is hot and humid but prices drop as locals leave for Obon; you’ll get discounts of 30-40% on standard rates.
Weather & packing
Kyoto in July is swelteringly humid, often above 35°C with sudden afternoon thunderstorms. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry shirt, a tiny folding umbrella, and breathable walking shoes — you’ll be walking 15,000 steps a day.
Live City Briefing — Kyoto
- Kyoto City implemented a new accommodation tax in 2024 (up to ¥10,000 per night for rooms over ¥100,000), but The Old Modern’s rates are below that threshold — check your booking carefully.
- The Karasuma line extension to Kyoto Station is still under construction; expect minor detours and bus re-routes around the station’s east exit through 2026.
- Gion Matsuri runs all July with major processions on the 17th and 24th; the city centre will be packed, and some streets near the hotel will close to vehicles during the yoiyama evenings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Old Modern, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, preferably facing the inner courtyard or away from the main street. These mid-floors avoid street-level noise and benefit from the lift's quietest operation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (street noise, foot traffic, and proximity to the lobby) and any room directly above the lift shaft or service areas. Rooms at the front of the building facing the main road can get traffic noise, especially on lower floors.
Best views
Ask for a room on the 5th floor facing the inner courtyard or a side street. Kyoto's low skyline means any upper floor might give glimpses of nearby temple roofs or the Higashiyama hills, but don't expect grand vistas—this is a compact city hotel.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 through 5 offer the best balance of quiet and accessibility—above street clatter but well within the lift's range.
🔊 Noise notes
Kyoto's streets are busy with buses, taxis, and pedestrians until late evening. The hotel's address on a main road means traffic noise can filter up to lower floors. Early morning deliveries and rubbish collection may occur near the service entrance.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the courtyard side at booking—it's noticeably quieter than the street-facing side. 2. Check in after 2pm and ask reception for a map showing the nearest convenience store (combini) and quiet walking routes to the nearest station—saves getting lost and avoids taxi costs.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Old Modern
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical 20 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload. No login; just accept terms on landing page. Dedicated gaming/streaming may buffer.
One small lift serves all five floors; no stairs-only sections. Lift fits one guest with a medium suitcase. Staff will assist if needed.
Complimentary digital access to The Japan Times and Financial Times via QR codes in lobby. No physical newspapers. Original 1920s timber-frame lobby is listed; floorboards creak audibly.
Check-in 15:00–00:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 (free, no room access). Late check-out fee: ¥2,000 per hour, by 13:00 max.
Free storage at front desk from 10:00 on arrival day and after check-out until 20:00. Overnight storage not available.
Main entrance step-free (ramp available on request). No wheelchairs can access the lift (width 60 cm). Guest rooms on ground floor (Room 101) are step-free. No adapted bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: 'Kyoto Station South Car Park' (5-minute walk), ¥1,500 per night 18:00–08:00, ¥300 per hour daytime. No EV charging on-site; nearest EV charger at Kyoto Station (7-min walk).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ¥200 per person per night for stays under ¥20,000; ¥500 for stays ¥20,000–¥49,999; ¥1,000 for stays ¥50,000+
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via credit card (non-refundable 72-hour cancellation). A ¥5,000 incidental hold placed on card at check-in (refunded upon departure if no extras).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: 六波羅蜜寺 (329 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: 天理教京城大教会 (423 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 西福寺 (430 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 大谷本廟 (461 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
髙島屋 — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
六原公園 — 223 m · ~3 min walk
豊国神社宝物館 — 592 m · ~7 min walk
ギオンコーナー — 960 m · ~12 min walk
五条児童公園 — 784 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 833 m · ~10 min walk
漢方ひがしやま — 151 m · ~2 min walk
ローソン 東大路馬町店 — 307 m · ~4 min walk
清水五条 — 675 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Japanese Yen, JPY
Use ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) which offer fair rates; avoid airport or hotel counters where rates are poor.
Credit cards widely accepted in larger shops, hotels and restaurants, but many smaller places, temples and buses are cash-only; contactless (IC cards) is common for transit and convenience stores.
No tipping—it can cause confusion. Service charge is included; simply pay the bill.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Vending machine coffee or convenience store drip coffee for around 100–150 yen.
A bowl of ramen or a set meal at a standing soba shop for 500–800 yen.
A main dish at a casual izakaya or okonomiyaki place for 800–1,200 yen.
Yatsuhashi (sweet rice crackers) and street snacks along Nishiki Market or Higashiyama paths; look for grilled mochi or taiyaki from 100–300 yen each.
Budget chains: Gyomu Super, Fresco, and the food section of Life or Koyo supermarkets.
Affordable basics at Uniqlo, GU, or secondhand shops along Shijo-dori and near Teramachi-suji.
Cheapest way around is a day-pass for buses (600 yen) or the Subway + Bus 1-day pass (1,100 yen). From Kansai Airport, take the limousine bus (2,600 yen) or cheaper Kintetsu+Shin-Keihan routes (around 1,500 yen with transfers).
Use a rechargeable IC card (e.g. ICOCA) for easy tap-and-go on buses/trains; buy bento from supermarkets after 7pm when they discount; sightsee early morning to avoid crowds and access cheaper breakfast sets.
Good to know — Kyoto
Type A/B · 100V
safe
$1 ≈ ¥163.01 · JPY
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kyoto, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Old Modern
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 833 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · 漢方ひがしやま — 151 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kansai International Airport (KIX) → The Celestine Hotel Gion
💡 Pre-book via hotel concierge for fixed rates. Shared taxis available at 50% cost if flexible on timing.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) → The Celestine Hotel Gion
💡 Cheapest option with direct hotel drop-off. Slower but reliable. Book online 1 day prior for discounts.
Gojo Station area → Gion-Shojo Station / Local Exploration
💡 Red line tram runs directly through Gion. Buy rechargeable IC card (ICOCA) at station for seamless local travel throughout Kyoto.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) → The Celestine Hotel Gion
💡 Most economical airport option. Get JR Pass if staying multiple days. Direct train to Kyoto Station, then 10-min walk to Gion.
About Kyoto
Wikipedia ↗
Kyoto ( or ; Japanese: 京都, Kyōto [kʲoꜜː.to] ), officially Kyoto City (京都市, Kyōto-shi; [kʲoː.toꜜ.ɕi] ), is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. As of 2020, the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it the ninth-most p...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Old Modern?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, preferably facing the inner courtyard or away from the main street. These mid-floors avoid street-level noise and benefit from the lift's quietest operation.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Old Modern?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (street noise, foot traffic, and proximity to the lobby) and any room directly above the lift shaft or service areas. Rooms at the front of the building facing the main road can get traffic noise, especially on lower floors.
Is The Old Modern noisy?
Kyoto's streets are busy with buses, taxis, and pedestrians until late evening. The hotel's address on a main road means traffic noise can filter up to lower floors. Early morning deliveries and rubbish collection may occur near the service entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at The Old Modern?
Ask for a room on the 5th floor facing the inner courtyard or a side street. Kyoto's low skyline means any upper floor might give glimpses of nearby temple roofs or the Higashiyama hills, but don't expect grand vistas—this is a compact city hotel.
What are insider tips for staying at The Old Modern?
1. Request a room on the courtyard side at booking—it's noticeably quieter than the street-facing side. 2. Check in after 2pm and ask reception for a map showing the nearest convenience store (combini) and quiet walking routes to the nearest station—saves getting lost and avoids taxi costs.
What time is check-in at The Old Modern?
Check-in at The Old Modern is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Old Modern have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical 20 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload. No login; just accept terms on landing page. Dedicated gaming/streaming may buffer.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Old Modern?
¥200 per person per night for stays under ¥20,000; ¥500 for stays ¥20,000–¥49,999; ¥1,000 for stays ¥50,000+
Where can I eat cheaply near The Old Modern?
A bowl of ramen or a set meal at a standing soba shop for 500–800 yen.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Old Modern?
Cheapest way around is a day-pass for buses (600 yen) or the Subway + Bus 1-day pass (1,100 yen). From Kansai Airport, take the limousine bus (2,600 yen) or cheaper Kintetsu+Shin-Keihan routes (around 1,500 yen with transfers).
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
October and November for crisp air, Kyoto’s autumn colours (maple and gingko) and fewer tour groups than spring. Late April catches the tail end of cherry blossom season without Golden Week crowds.
Top Attractions in Kyoto
💡 Free to wander. Budget ¥500–1000 for sample-size meals like grilled mochi or tamagoyaki. Avoid 11:30am–1pm when it's packed with lunch crowds.
💡 Visit early morning for the koi ponds without crowds; at night during cherry blossom season (late March–early April) for the illuminated weeping cherry tree.
💡 Arrive by 7am to dodge crowds and get clear photos. The hike to the summit takes about 2 hours, but most tourists stop halfway, so the upper path is quieter.
💡 Arrive before 08:00 for near-solitude. Exit onto the north end and explore Okochi Sanso garden (entry fee) for a quieter extension of the walk.
💡 Arrive at opening (8:30am) to beat the tour groups — this is one of Kyoto's most-visited temples and the approach path gets very congested by mid-morning.
💡 Entry is ¥620 (£3.50). Audio guide included free at entrance. Visit early to avoid queues; the ninomaru garden is underrated and peaceful.
💡 Entry is ¥400 (£2.20). Go late afternoon when the gold glows in low sun. Skip the tea house inside—overpriced and mediocre matcha.