MIMARU Kyoto Station — a 6-person 3-bedroom apartment from ¥4,700 per head near Kyoto Station
Picture six people sharing a trip to Kyoto — all-in per person works out to just ¥4,700 a night, with three separate bedrooms, two bathrooms, a real working kitchen, and an in-room washing machine. MIMARU Kyoto Station is the property families and larger groups mention most often in this category — and the longer you stay, the better the per-night value gets.
MIMARU Kyoto Station sits at Higashinosato-cho in Shimogyo-ku, a 6-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station's Hachijo East Exit. The route is well-lit and passes several hotels, so it feels safe even late at night. JR Kyoto Station is not just a train stop — it is the city's transport hub for the Shinkansen to Osaka, Tokyo and Hiroshima, the Kintetsu Kyoto Line direct to Nara, and several city bus routes. If you are planning a multi-city itinerary, this location makes everything straightforward without adding extra transfers.
"Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an in-room washing machine — many families say staying here is more comfortable than booking three separate hotel rooms, and they still came out ahead on price."
What makes MIMARU Station feel different from a standard hotel is the 60 sqm Family Apartment layout, which gives you three separate bedrooms within one unit. Parents get their own room, children get theirs, and there is a shared living and dining area where everyone can have a meal together. It genuinely feels more like renting a holiday home than checking into a hotel — a distinction that matters when you are spending several nights in one place.
The feature guests mention most is the full kitchen with a two-burner hob, microwave and refrigerator. Aeon Mall Kyoto is about an 8-minute walk away — pick up fresh groceries, bento boxes or snacks and prepare them back in the room. For families travelling with young children or elderly relatives who have specific dietary needs, this kind of flexibility is simply not available in a standard hotel. Many families report saving ¥10,000–¥15,000 on food over the course of a trip.
For longer stays or group trips, the in-room washing machine is a genuine game-changer. There is no need to pack a massive suitcase — bring three or four days' worth of clothes and wash as you go. For families visiting during autumn-leaf season or hanami, when Kyoto hotel prices climb sharply, being able to pack light is one less thing to worry about.
MIMARU operates seven branches across Kyoto, but the Station property is specifically noted for its transport convenience — useful for any family that plans day trips or needs to connect to the Shinkansen regularly. Whether you are heading out to Nara for a day or departing for Osaka at the end of your stay, not having to factor in an extra bus or taxi from a distant neighbourhood saves real time.
A few things worth knowing before booking — the property is at Hachijo East Exit, not the main Central Gate. The 6-minute walk is manageable for most guests, but families travelling with strollers or guests with limited mobility should allow a little extra time. There is no in-house restaurant, no breakfast service, and no daily housekeeping (cleaning is done every three days for longer stays). These are the expected trade-offs of the apartment-style format — you gain a kitchen and considerably more space in return.
Put plainly — if a family or group of five to six people is looking for Kyoto accommodation with separate bedrooms, a working kitchen, convenient transport links and the lowest per-head price among quality options in this category, MIMARU Kyoto Station is the most direct answer. From ¥28,000 per night for six guests, or an average of ¥4,700 per person.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ 60 sqm apartment for 6 · 3 separate bedrooms · 2 bathrooms
- ✓ Full kitchen + in-room washing machine
- ✓ ¥4,700/person — lowest per-head rate in this family hotel category
- ✓ 6-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station Hachijo East Exit
- ! Hachijo East Exit — not the main gate; 6-min walk (further than some hotels)
- ! No breakfast and no in-house restaurant
- ! No daily housekeeping for longer stays
- ✓ MIMARU has 7 branches in Kyoto — backup options available if this property is full
- ✓ Ideal for multi-generational groups — grandparents, parents, children all comfortable
- ✓ Aeon Mall Kyoto 8 min walk — easy access to groceries and bento
- ✓ Longer stays of 5+ nights lower the per-night average further
- ! No cot or crib service — bring your own baby bedding or arrange externally
- ! Kitchen works well for heating and simple cooking; not set up for elaborate meals
- ! Upper-floor rooms may involve a wait for the lift during peak check-in periods
- 💡If you are travelling with infants who need a cot or crib — MIMARU does not provide cot or crib service → arrange your own baby bedding or rent from a local supplier, and notify the property in advance.
- 💡If you plan to eat out for every meal — there is no breakfast and no in-house restaurant → Aeon Mall (8 min walk) and the restaurant cluster around Kyoto Station are both very convenient, but budget accordingly.
- 💡If you require daily housekeeping — cleaning is done every three days for longer stays → if a single night with full hotel service is what you need, a 5-star property closer to the central gate will suit better.