What differences are there between Minshukus or Doyas and youth hostels in Kyoto?
I'm attending a conference in Kyoto at the Kyoto International Conference Center. I'm looking for accommodation that has quick public transport to the ICC, is inexpensive (but probably not a monastery, as I don't want it to be deliberately austere, have curfews, or encourage religious practice), and ideally be somewhat Japanese-style.
As authentic ryokans are expensive, I assume I should be looking for a minshuku or doya instead, although they may call themselves "ryokans".
From the ICC's link to the Japanese Inn Group, I found Ryokan Rakucho (though not really a ryokan, as it doesn't provide any meals), charging 5,300 yen per night for a single person. This is viable, but appears to be more expensive than hostel accommodation. Would the following generalisations be true about minshukus and doyas versus youth hostels in Kyoto?
- Minshukus and doyas provide your own room, whereas hostels provide you with just a bed in a shared room (though some provide you with the option of having your own room for a higher fee).
- Minshukus and doyas are more expensive than a hostel bed.
Also, how do minshukus and doyas tend to compare with hostels in Kyoto in terms of overall number of customers staying at the place, ease of booking for people not proficient in Japanese, and proximity to public transport?
Best Answer
The differences between Ryokan and Minshuku have become blurred over time. While back in time, they were worlds apart, one serving members of the court while the other served the lesser ranked members of the entourage, when the court traveled between castles. Today they are not as distinctively different. And using "ryokan" in a hotel name is cheesy marketing ploy to attract more uninformed tourists.
But to your points, not all minshukus provide private rooms, some place several travelers in a shared room. Some serve food, some don't. You basically have to research each one to see if it offers what you want at a price you can afford.
The advantage of a real minishuku over a hostel is atmosphere, you would be sleeping on a futon on the tatami mat floor, enjoying a hot water tub for soaking, more traditional Japanese dinner. A hostel would be western style beds, basic bathrooms, head out for fast food at dinner time.
As far as number of guests, that would be determined by the facility's capacity, not type as you can find both large and small versions of each.
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