Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo
The Perfect Family Stay in my Favourite Area of Kyoto
It’s wonderful to see in recent years, the rise of aparthotels “apartment hotels” which are often located in wonderful local hubs, have the nice amenities of a hotel but have the feel of home, and are perfect for families travelling together to stay together but have the privacy of separate bedrooms and even multiple bathrooms
Mimaru Hotels have various properties around Japan in the three cities tourists visit the most; Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka.
My favourite has to be their “MIMARU SUITES” properties which are that extra bit more lush. They have two “SUITES” hotels in Kyoto & one in Tokyo. The others are their normal “aparthotels.” During a trip to Kyoto I had a wonderful stay with hubby, along with two other couple friends at their Mimaru Suites.
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I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Every property and destination featured on this website has been personally experienced by the writer, and are their personal thoughts and opinions.
An Amazing Stay in a 3BR Suite
One of their larger suites in the Kyoto Shijo branch, this apartment was specifically selected as it had 3 separate bedrooms, and we stayed here with 2 other couples & 1 baby - so it was perfect for everyone to have the privacy of their own room'.
2Bedrooms has Western beds, one with an ensuite & the other our friends had a crib (photo below).
Whereas this tatami room I’m sitting in (above - before my friends arrived) became the 3rd bedroom which became fully private when the shoji doors were closed.
Spacious Dining & Living Area
Staying here, really feels like one properly lives in Japan, rather than just being a tourist. One instantly has the relaxation of feeling at home, with a full kitchen, proper and sitting area. Being able to cook full meals (if wanted) and not having to eat it sitting on a floor/on a bed - knowing there’s a separate place to relax and read a book (rather than at a kitchen table) can make all the difference to one’s trip. There’s space to breathe.
If one doesn’t fill up all the bedrooms, the tatami room opens to make the living area even more spacious, and a comfortable play area for little ones. Whilst the projector is perfect for when you need a quiet night in watching movies or reading.
Complimentary Happy Hour & Kitchen/Cooking Goods to Use
A pleasant surprise when we checked into Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo, was that we were told we had a complimentary happy hour where we could enjoy local nihonshu (sake), craft beer & other drinks and take them up to the apartment to enjoy (the beer came in growlers too, so the boys were stoked to fill them!)
Also available are all these beautiful (and fancy!) Kyoto pottery/kitchenware that you can use to make your own cooked meals in the apartment! We made a huge nabe on some of our nights.
Though I was surprised that they didn’t offer any of the products for sale… (like new ones) because I really wanted one of the nihonshu tokkuri (the blue one with Mt Fuji & a bird) which whistled when you poured the nihonshu.
Surrounding Area to Explore
Being in my favourite local Kyoto ward; Nakagyo - one can discover some of my usual lunching spots under & around 30mins walk: AWOMB, Honke Owariya & Cafe Bibliotic Hello!
With Kyoto sightseeing in the area, one can enjoy a slow walking meander to spots like Byodo-ji, Nishiki Market, Chohoji, the quirky Face House, Mikane-jinja (the famous gold money shrine) and Nijo Castle all within an hour (give yourself a morning/afternoon to leisurely explore, have some lunch, afternoon drink etc)
MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO DETAILS
WEB: MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO
IG: @MIMARUHOTELS
OTHER PLACES TO STAY & THINGS TO DO
Nishiyama Ryokan - experience a traditional family run ryokan and enjoy complimentary tea ceremony & other free activities
Shijo Bettei Kyoto - splurge on this modern onsen ryokan hotel in the heart of the city. Every room has its own private open air onsen
Kyoisuke Otonari - wanting a cozy, yet historic stay? spend a night in this renovated machiya in the Taisho-Roman style
Honke Owariya Soba - my favourite traditional soba restaurant in all of Kyoto.
TRAVEL FURTHER
Kinosaki Onsen - download our free ebook guide to this tattoo friendly onsen town
Ishikawa Prefecture - jump on the Thunderbird Express train to Tsuruga Station then Hokuriku Shinkanasen to reach beautiful Kanazawa.
Shizuoka Prefecture - a gem of a prefecture with some of the best seafood and amazing onsen
