Giappo Franca Kyoto – A Favorite for Families in Kyoto

The hotel offers Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, including the Japanese-Style Twin Room with Terrace and the Mezzanine Swing Room with a swing. Each room includes a private bathroom with a bath, bidet, and free toiletries, along with air conditioning and a TV. Some rooms have a terrace or a loft area for up to three people, such as the Mezzanine Swing Room.

The lobby has a large manga library with thousands of volumes, including some in English, and a retro Nintendo console for guests to play. A small art gallery hosts rotating exhibitions, such as the series of Utagawa Hiroshige prints displayed in the tea house. The common area also includes a zen garden and a tatami room for relaxation.

The hotel is on a quiet residential street, a 3-minute walk from Samurai Kembu Kyoto and less than 1 km from Shoren-in Temple. The Heian Shrine is a 14-minute walk away, and the Sanjo Station (Keihan Line) is about 5 minutes on foot. From there, guests can reach Gion and Pontocho Alley within a 10-minute walk, and the bus stop to Ginkakuji Temple is nearby.

The hotel offers coin-operated laundry facilities with washers and dryers, plus luggage storage and private check-in/check-out. Staff members speak English and provide restaurant recommendations, help with bookings, and assist with luggage forwarding to nearby convenience stores. Guests can also rent kimonos at a fraction of the price compared to other shops in Kyoto.

The hotel hosts an art exhibition space that changes regularly, with a recent show featuring works by an artist depicting places in Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto. Guests can participate in an art class with a Japanese student, arranged by the staff. The tea house in the tiny garden displays Utagawa Hiroshige prints, creating a quiet cultural corner.

Location: 3-minute walk from Samurai Kembu Kyoto, 10-minute walk to Gion

Rooms: Japanese-style rooms with tatami, terrace, or mezzanine swing

Entertainment: Manga library and retro Nintendo console in lobby

Services: Coin-operated laundry, luggage storage, kimono rental

Culture: Rotating art exhibitions and Utagawa Hiroshige print display