Floral Hotel Mari Kyoto Station 4*: a new boutique hotel near Higashi Honganji

Floral Hotel Mari – Kyoto Station — a small hotel with twenty-three rooms in the Shimogyo district, within walking distance of Kyoto Station. It opened recently, and it shows in the facilities: wheelchair access, an elevator, handrails on the stairs, a modern laundry room and dryer. Gojo Station on the Karasuma line is four minutes away on foot; nearby stands Higashi Honganji Temple, and Gion and Kiyomizu-dera are a short journey away. Guests write about beautiful rooms, cleanliness, and a cozy atmosphere. This hotel is for those who are going to Kyoto to see temples but don’t want to stay in the tourist crowds of Gion, yet need quick access to trains.

Shimogyo: between the station and Higashi Honganji Temple

The area near Kyoto Station is often underestimated: it’s convenient, and not as crowded with tourists as the streets around Gion. The hotel stands on Odawara-cho street, a few minutes from Gojo Station, and you can walk to the station itself. Nearby is Higashi Honganji Temple with its huge wooden gates, the Kamo River with evening strollers, and little noodle shops. The Karasuma subway line will take you to the center of Kyoto, and by train from the station you can immediately head to Nara or Osaka.

• Higashi Honganji — a temple with a large wooden hall where it’s quiet in the morning.
• Kyoto Station — transfer point for trains to Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima.
• Gion — geisha and teahouse district, several stops by transport.
• Kiyomizu-dera — a famous temple on a slope; it’s best to go in the morning.

Travel tip: Kyoto is heavily populated with tourists in spring during cherry blossom season and autumn during red leaf season. During these weeks, it’s better to head to the main temples before eight in the morning, and return to the quiet area near the station in the evening.

A small hotel without steps and with a laundry room

The hotel is small, and its facilities are designed for a relaxing stay. The main entrance is step-free, there’s an elevator and handrails on the stairs, so it’s convenient for people with limited mobility and those arriving with heavy luggage. For a long trip, you’ll appreciate the laundry room, dryer, and steamer. You can leave your luggage in storage, and taxis are available upon request. The reception sells public transport tickets.

• Wheelchair access, elevator, handrails on the stairs
• Laundry room, dryer, steamer
• Luggage storage and taxi ordering
• Non-smoking floor, separate smoking area
• Ticket sales for transport, quick check-in

Safety

CCTV is installed in public areas and a key card system is in operation. Fire safety regulations are complied with according to accepted standards.

Rooms

The hotel offers the following room categories:

• Comfortable twin room [Wi-Fi and smart toilet] — 16 sq m, 2 single beds. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, bath, private bathroom, hair dryer.
• Special twin room [Small fridge and desk] — 17 sq m, 2 single beds. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, bath, private bathroom, hair dryer.
• Upgraded Twin Room 【Deep Bathtub】 — 18 m², 2 single beds. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, bath, private bathroom, hair dryer.

What to Eat Near the Station

There’s no information about an on-site restaurant at the hotel, so you should plan your meals independently. Just steps from Kyoto Station, there are numerous cafes, and basement levels of department stores sell bento boxes, fresh sushi, and pastries. In the morning, stop by a bakery near Gojo station: a fresh bun and coffee would make for a decent breakfast.

In the evening, head into the narrow streets around Higashi Honganji where you can find udon noodles, fried chicken, and marinades. For a truly Kyoto dinner, go to Pontotcho or Gion, but be prepared for a late return: many establishments close after ten in the evening.

Pros and Cons of Floral Hotel Mari – Kyoto Station

What Guests Appreciate

• The hotel is new, and the number of rooms is small, so it’s quiet in the building.
• Step-free access, a lift, and handrails make it convenient with luggage or elderly relatives.
• A laundry room, dryer, and steamer are useful for longer trips.
• You can walk to the station and Higashi Honganji Temple.
• Gojo metro station is four minutes away on foot.

What You Should Know in Advance

• The new hotel has only a few reviews so far, and the overall impression is still forming.
• There’s no restaurant of your own; you’ll have to eat outside the hotel.
• The area near the station is less picturesque than Gion or Arashiyama.
• During cherry blossom and autumn foliage season, prices and demand increase, and rooms are booked in advance.

What Guests Usually Write

Guests haven’t written much yet: they praise the cleanliness, beautiful rooms, and location near the station. They particularly note the coziness and quietness. The rating of amenities is a little more modest because the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant or pool.

How to Book Floral Hotel Mari – Kyoto Station from Russia

Select your dates in the “Where to Book” block and complete the booking in rubles; you will see the payment method on the last step. For cherry blossom and autumn foliage dates, book as early as possible.