Kyoto has always held a special place in my heart. It’s the old soul of Japan, and a place I keep coming back to whenever I want to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. It feels quieter and less overwhelming, yet still has everything that makes Japan so special. Not to mention, Kyoto is also the perfect destination for backpackers, who enjoy travelling solo and having your own space or meeting fellow travellers and making new friends along the way.
And that’s the beauty of staying in a hostel. You get the best of both worlds — your own space when you need it and the opportunity to be social whenever you feel like it.
Because sometimes, travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone.
The Millennials Kyoto
📍235 Yamazakicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
📞 +81 50-3164-0760
📩 themillennialskyoto@livelyhotels.com
📸 @themillenials.kyoto
🌐 livelyhotels.com/en/themillennialskyoto
hostel
This time around, on my 5th visit to Kyoto, I’m taking a break from fancy hotels and traditional machiyas. Instead, I wanted to experience what it’s like to stay in a hostel in Japan, especially one designed for millennials.
Located right in the heart of Kyoto, smack in the middle of Kawaramachi’s shopping district, The Millennials might just be one of the most centrally located home bases you can find in the city.
The hostel doesn’t occupy the entire building. It shares a few floors with other commercial spaces, so to get to the reception and lobby, you have to make your way all the way up to the 8th floor.
As soon as you arrive on the 8th floor, you get a sense that this place caters to both introverts and extroverts alike.
It’s open, spacious and warm, yet surprisingly quiet and calm at the same time. Just how I like it!
Despite the floor-to-ceiling windows and bright interiors, everyone seems to have their own little bubble. At least during my check-in, most guests were simply doing their own thing and enjoying their personal space.
There are plenty of spaces to choose from, from comfortable lounges and meeting rooms to dedicated workspaces. It’s something I haven’t really seen in many of the other hotels I’ve stayed at.
Not to mention, there’s also a full-sized communal kitchen where you can prepare, store or simply cook your own meals. Although, let’s be honest, you probably won’t need to do much cooking in Japan, where food is almost always readily available and reasonably affordable.
capsule
You see, The Millennials isn’t your ordinary hostel or capsule hotel, as you’ll soon see.
Stepping onto my floor, the sleeping capsules initially look and feel like those in a regular hostel. They’re quiet, dark and somewhat boxy but with plenty of personal space and privacy.
But this hotel has a little trick up its sleeve. Well, technically, it’s the bed itself!
At the push of a button, the bed reclines and transforms into a lounging sofa, giving you a more relaxed seating position without having to get out of your capsule.
But the party trick doesn’t stop there. Each capsule comes with an iPhone that literally controls your bed!
You can adjust it to multiple reclining positions depending on how you want to lounge or relax.
And here’s the clever part: when you set an alarm on the iPhone, the bed automatically and slowly reclines upright to help wake you up.
As someone who constantly struggles with oversleeping my alarms, this is one feature I genuinely wish I had at home!
I also like that the showers, bathrooms and laundry facilities are all located on the same floor, but conveniently tucked away on the other end of the sleeping area.
This means there’s less foot traffic and noise around the capsules, at least from my side. I’m just not sure if guests staying closer to those facilities would feel the same way!
spaces
Now, let’s move on to my favourite part of hostel living: the social experience.
Breakfast is served every morning in the lobby, although it’s an optional add-on to your stay.
The spread includes pastries, greens, drinks, sausages, yoghurt and eggs. It’s actually a pretty decent breakfast selection, especially for a hostel, where having this kind of spread is a bit of a luxury.
If you’re a breakfast person like me, I’d definitely recommend opting for it!
Now comes my favourite part: free-flowing beer!
Every afternoon, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, guests can enjoy complimentary beer served nice and cold.
I think this is such a clever idea because it encourages guests to mingle and socialize after a day of exploring Kyoto. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet fellow travellers, share stories and perhaps find someone to explore the city with before heading out for the evening.
Definitely not something you come across in most hostels, especially in Japan!
final thoughts
Overall, staying at The Millennials Kyoto as a millennial (pun intended!) was a surprisingly different experience, and definitely in a good way.
I particularly liked the reclining bed feature and how it literally helps wake you up by slowly adjusting your sleeping position when your alarm goes off. It’s such a simple but clever trick that makes the capsule experience a little more comfortable.
But beyond that party trick, what I really appreciated was the laid-back atmosphere. It gives you the freedom to enjoy your own company when you want to be alone, while still offering plenty of opportunities to socialize whenever you’re in the mood.
But if there’s one thing I have to highlight, it’s the location.
Being right in the middle of one of Kyoto’s busiest shopping and entertainment districts makes exploring the city, both day and night, very convenient. You can easily step out, explore, grab something to eat, do a little shopping and come back to your own capsule whenever you feel like it.
And that’s probably what I enjoyed most about the experience. Just like the hostel itself, you have the flexibility to step out of your own little cocoon and be part of the city, then retreat back into your personal space whenever you’re ready.
Sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of accommodation you need when travelling solo.
The Millennials Kyoto
📍235 Yamazakicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
📞 +81 50-3164-0760
📩 themillennialskyoto@livelyhotels.com
📸 @themillenials.kyoto
🌐 livelyhotels.com/en/themillennialskyoto
Live an Awesome Life,
NICO of Team Our Awesome Planet
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Millennials Kyoto is at 235 Yamazakicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, right in the middle of the Kawaramachi shopping district. The reception and lobby are on the 8th floor.
Each capsule has a bed that reclines into a lounging sofa, controlled by an iPhone provided in the capsule. When you set an alarm on the iPhone, the bed slowly reclines upright to help wake you up.
Yes. Guests can enjoy complimentary beer every afternoon from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Breakfast is an optional add-on. It’s served every morning in the lobby and includes pastries, greens, drinks, sausages, yoghurt and eggs.
Besides the capsules, there are lounges, meeting rooms, dedicated workspaces, a full-sized communal kitchen, and showers, bathrooms and laundry facilities on each capsule floor.