REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi Review 2026: Best Kyoto Station Hotel

Hey there! I'm Bamkki.

It's been so long since my last trip to Japan's Kansai region...

My first big headache was: "Where on earth should I book a hotel in Kyoto?"

Kyoto's main attractions are super spread out,

so if you pick the wrong location,

you'll end up spending half your day just traveling 🫥

I only had a 1-night stay in Kyoto,

but booking near Kyoto Station made my trip incredibly smooth.

It was budget-friendly yet still a highly satisfying 4-star hotel.

Just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station: REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi.

Here is my honest, self-funded review 👇👇

Kyoto Hotel Recommendation Table of Contents

1. Kyoto Hotel Location

2. REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi BY VESSEL HOTELS

3. Guest Rooms

4. Welcome Drinks

5. Kyoto Accommodation Tax

6. Overall Review

📍Google Maps Link

🗺️About a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station Hachijoguchi Exit

⏱️Check-in 14:00~ Check-out 11:00

💰Early June: around ~$64 per night

✅️A 4-star brand under Vessel Hotels

✅️Luggage storage available before check-in and after check-out

✅️Accommodation tax: 200 yen per person

1. Best Area to Stay in Kyoto: Near Kyoto Station!

What are the must-visit attractions in Kyoto?

Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama...

They are so widely scattered, aren't they?

That's why I did a ton of research before booking my hotel in Kyoto.

After weighing all the options, my conclusion was:

No matter where you go, Kyoto Station is the most convenient base.

Since it's just 5 minutes away from Kyoto Station,

taking the subway is a breeze,

and the Kyoto City Bus stops are all within a 10-minute walk.

Most importantly, when leaving Kyoto for other cities,

you ultimately have to depart from Kyoto Station anyway.

So it's incredibly easy to grab your bags after sightseeing and head to your next destination!

Check out more details of this hotel near Kyoto Station👇

2. REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi BY VESSEL HOTELS

Wondering why the name is so long?

It's because "REF" is a boutique brand under the famous Japanese hotel chain, Vessel Hotels.

It's a stylish 4-star hotel designed with a "Modern Kyoto" concept.

Kyoto is a global favorite for travelers from all over the world,

so hotel rates here can be quite steep.

Even though I made a last-minute booking just 5 days before my trip,

I managed to snag a room for around ~$64! ✌️

>> Check the prices for your travel dates <<​

With its warm wood tones and clean design,

it had a really fresh, trendy, and modern vibe.

3. Hotel Room Review near Kyoto Station

To be completely honest with you...

The room is... quite small... lolol 💀

There's basically zero space to leave your suitcase wide open... lol

But then again, we all know how notoriously compact Japanese hotel rooms can be, right?

In Kyoto particularly, there was a massive boom in hotel construction

to meet the sudden rush of tourists,

and hotels built during that period seem to be especially cozy (read: tight!).

Since I only needed a place to sleep anyway,

my main priority was that it had to be spotlessly clean.

On that front, I was completely satisfied!!!

By the way, you can slide your suitcase under the bed to save space...

As soon as you walk through the entryway,

you'll find the shower booth on the left and the toilet room on the right.

In Japan, dry bathrooms are the norm,

so many hotels separate the toilet and shower areas like this.

Basic amenities like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided in the room,

while disposable items like toothbrushes, razors, and body towels

are available right next to the front desk.

You can just grab whatever you need on your way up to your room!

Being the modern hotel it is, right by the bedside,

you'll find lighting controls, power outlets, and USB ports.

🌰Bamkki's Pro-Tip🌰

The AC is wall-mounted, and if you leave it running while you sleep,

the cold air blows straight onto your face 🥶

So my husband and I actually slept with our heads at the foot of the bed!

I highly recommend checking the AC position before you head to sleep.

4. 1st Floor Co-working Lounge & Welcome Drinks

One of the main reasons I loved REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by Vessel Hotels

so much was the amazing common space on the 1st floor.

​

With its exposed ceilings, warm wooden furniture,

and a chic cafe vibe, it functions as both a breakfast area and a co-working space!

I've stayed in hotels with similar shared spaces in places like New York and Tokyo,

and it really gives off that trendy, hip boutique hotel vibe

that modern travelers absolutely love. I was totally obsessed! ♥️

But what makes it even better? The welcome drinks!

On the 1st floor, coffee and tea are available from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

But they don't just offer standard soft drinks...

they actually serve alcohol too?! 🥂

And it's not just a basic bottle or two—

they've got draft beer, liqueurs, and even Japanese sake!

All of this is available daily between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

I was so busy sightseeing that I missed out on it, which is my biggest regret! 😭

Check out the latest rates for this trendy Kyoto hotel below 🔽

5. Latest Kyoto Accommodation Tax Rates

When staying at hotels or other lodging facilities in Kyoto City,

you must pay an accommodation tax per person, per night.

The updated rates (increased as of March 2026) are

listed below:

Since our room rate was in the low ~$64 range per night,

which put our rate under 6,000 JPY per person,

we paid 200 JPY each at check-in.

6. Kyoto Station Hotel: Overall Verdict

Agoda Rating: 8.8/10

Trip.com Rating: 9.4/10

I highly recommend REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi BY Vessel Hotels

if you fit any of these profiles! 👇

✔️ Travelers who want to sightsee easily from near Kyoto Station

✔️ Anyone looking for convenient luggage storage while exploring

✔️ Budget-conscious travelers seeking a great value Kyoto hotel

✔️ Those wanting a comfortable rest at a 4-star Kyoto hotel

To book this 4-star hotel near Kyoto Station

and check detailed rates, click below!

From my comparison, Agoda had the absolute best rates!!

Since it's highly cost-effective and Kyoto is such a popular travel destination,

rooms book up incredibly fast. Make sure to check your travel dates soon!

👇👇👇👇

Check Agoda Kyoto Hotel Booking & Rates

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