Front of Fresa Inn in Kyoto, Japan.
Japan is known for having amazing hospitality in its hotels, and Kyoto is no exception. While the SJMC Japan group was in Kyoto, we stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kiyomizu-Gojo, a simple yet beautiful place to return to after a long day of sightseeing and exploring the city.
Many hotels blend into the architecture of the city. With an exterior that could be seen as bland, the inside on Fresa Inn is anything but. You’ll be welcomed with a peaceful ambiance and subtle elegance once inside. Each detail reflects the essence of Kyoto’s aesthetic charm, from the lighting to the layout; we were all thoroughly impressed. Along with the comfort the group felt there, there was also cultural charm to staying at a Japanese hotel.
There is a tradition of providing guests with complimentary items that reflect the country’s commitment to hospitality and comfort. Known as “yukata,” or a cotton bathrobe, was found in each guest room along with a pair of slippers for walking through the hotel. Slippers are an important part of Japanese culture and are worn for many reasons including cleanliness, warmth, hygiene and for creating a calm environment. These garments enhance guests’ relaxation and immersion in Japanese culture.
At this specific hotel, there were also complimentary amenities in the lobby ranging from hair ties to toothbrushes. There were also full sets of pajamas available for those who wanted them. The students who tried the pajamas talked about how light and comfortable they were for sleeping in and would highly recommend other guests to try them for sleeping and for the experience.
Along with these free items for the guests to have, there were also areas to do your own laundry, vending machines to grab a drink, ice machines and free Wi-Fi. The TVs in each room also allowed you to log in to your streaming accounts to enjoy your favorite shows from the comfort of your room.
For breakfast, the hotel served daily specials of Kyoto-style obanzai dishes cooked with Kyoto vegetables. Obanzai, a traditional style of Japanese cooking, is known for its home-style feel, comforting taste and use of seasonal ingredients. The dishes are usually vegetable-heavy with meat or fish for the protein.
Every morning the dishes were bursting with fresh and natural flavors, which was a great way to start the group’s day. After signing in for breakfast, a guest will grab a tray and a divided plate for their meals. Fresa Inn offered a buffet-style breakfast, so it was easy to pick and choose exactly what you wanted. After enjoying a relaxing meal, it is common for a guest to clear their own tray and area. The foods were nutritious and delicious, the perfect way for the group to get their energy up before a long day.
The rooms in the hotel were not as big as a hotel back in the States, but they were functional and took up the right amount of room for what was needed. Something interesting after entering the rooms was that there was a card holder on the inside that would allow the guests to turn the lights on after inserting the room key, and after removing the card which was needed to enter the room, the lights would turn off. This is an amazingly easy way for the hotel to save power and is quite common in hotels across Japan. The students had fun noticing all the differences between Fresa Inn to popular hotels back in Texas.
The location of Fresa Inn was ideal for the group’s itinerary. Situated one station by subway from Kyoto Station and also within walking distance of the central transportation hub, the location was a convenient base for the trip’s travel arrangement. It had excellent access to the Shijo area, the largest shopping district in Kyoto, located within walking distance of the hotel. It was also conveniently located about 30 minutes by bus or subway from Kyoto’s popular sightseeing spots such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Gion area and Yasaka Shrine, all of which were places the SJMC group visited.
Fresa Inn was an amazing stay and provided everything we needed and more! Students and faculty would recommend the stay, as would their reviews from other travelers. So if you’re looking into traveling through Kyoto, check them out and begin your relaxing stay.
