[2025 Kyoto Stay] Travel Guide for OMO3 Kyoto Toji by Hoshino Resorts (Updated May)

For the first stop of my trip to Kyoto, I chose to stay at Hoshino Resorts OMO3 Kyoto Toji. 📍The hotel is close to Kyoto Station. After taking the train from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto via Osaka, you can walk to the hotel without having to transfer in the city. It's close to the station, making it convenient to visit attractions such as Fushimi Inari-taisha and Kiyomizu-dera. 📍The hotel's local exploration tour - the Toji National Treasure Morning Walk - also attracted me. Toji Temple is a World Heritage Site. As early as 796 AD, when Heian-kyo was established in the Heian period, the royal family built Toji Temple, which later became the founding dojo of the Shingon sect of Kobo Daishi. After several destructions and reconstructions, the Great Buddha Hall and the murals of the 21 Buddha statues in the Lecture Hall are now national treasures of Japan. The five-story pagoda of Toji Temple is 57 meters high, making it the tallest five-story pagoda in Japan and one of the iconic buildings of Kyoto. 📍The Toji National Treasure Morning Walk is a mandala morning exercise in the aura of national treasures in front of the Great Buddha Hall and the five-story pagoda. Fortunately, it started to snow during the morning exercise, making the ancient temple more lively and awakening the vitality of the morning. After leaving Toji Temple, you can also try the famous local dessert, Toji Mochi. Time: 6:20-7:30 am 📍Another interesting experience at OMO3 Toji is the public bathhouse (sento) of the locals in Kyoto. Sento was very popular 200 years ago, and almost every neighborhood had a sento. Sento is still a great place to experience the local atmosphere. We went to a famous sento near OMO3 Toji called Hinode-yu, which was built in 1949. Due to its very retro style, it has also become a filming location for many movies. Opening hours: 4:00-11:00 pm, closed on Thursdays.

📍Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto "OMO" is an urban hotel brand that Hoshino Resorts has developed nationwide. With the concept of "urban hotels that don't just let you sleep, but raise the excitement of your trip," each hotel is packed with unique features. The concept of OMO3 Kyoto Toji is "a time-space trip for the mind." At Toji, a temple that began in Heian-kyo, you can talk to the Buddha, experience copying sutras, and experience mandalas in the Reiwa era. We experienced things and things that can help you calm your mind just like back then, even across time and space, and experienced the feeling of "calming your mind," so we will introduce them in order. ⚫︎OMO3 Kyoto Toji ⚫︎ JR Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, 13 minutes walk 　Kintetsu Kyoto Line Toji Station, 2 minutes walk ⚫︎Entrance The mural that greets you right at the entrance "Mandala Art" based on the 3D mandala of Toji Temple, which is composed of 21 Buddha statues The Buddha's "Smile Wall" is an original art using soft light and shadow. In fact, the mouth looks different depending on how the light hits it. ⚫︎Floor "Mandala Art", "Copying Sutra Table", "Karetto Karesansui" You can use them freely 24 hours a day. ⚫︎Activities "Toji Mandala Walking Cool", "National Treasure Morning Walk - Awakening Mandala O (Circle) Exercise", "National Treasure Morning Visit - A Morning to Meet Kukai" Activities held only for guests You can stroll and visit Toji Temple when there are almost no people around, even while in Kyoto. *Reservation required in advance *There was a wide range of other items, from free to several thousand yen. ⚫︎Snacks A compact convenience store inside the hotel Unlike chain convenience stores, it has a selection of carefully selected Kyoto ingredients. You can easily shop for food and drinks with 24-hour self-service. It also makes a great souvenir. *Cash not accepted ⚫︎Sightseeing Use the "Neighborhood Map" to find shops and foods that only a few people know about. It is full of information about shops carefully selected by staff who are full of love for the neighborhood. It also contains information that is not included in guidebooks, such as recommended times and foods. ⚫︎Room A space that you will want to imitate, such as the layout of amenities and furniture The furniture layout and amenities are what you would expect to find in a place that meets your needs. The air conditioner also supports language conversion, making it a friendly facility for foreigners. 〈OMO Memo〉 The numbers in OMO represent the range of services. The three pillars of OMO, ①OMO Base, ②Neighborhood Map, and ③Neighborhood Activities, are common to all OMOs. OMO3 is a basic hotel where you can casually enjoy "+ light meals." #Kyoto trip #Kyoto sightseeing #Kyoto #Hoshino Resorts #Hotel review #Domestic travel #Free hotel stay

First Impression: Youthful and Energetic Modern Style OMO3 Kyoto Toji is a hotel under the Hoshino Resorts brand, located in the Toji area of Kyoto. Unlike traditional Kyoto inns, this hotel attracts a large number of young travelers with its modern and stylish design. The lobby and public areas are full of creativity and vitality, blending modern art with traditional Kyoto elements. The hotel not only provides a comfortable accommodation environment but also encourages guests to actively participate in various local experience activities, becoming a window to understanding Kyoto culture. Room Design: Simple and Stylish, Comfort First The room design of OMO3 Kyoto Toji is mainly simple and practical, embodying the essence of modern Japanese design. The room tones are warm, combining modern furniture with traditional Japanese style, creating a space that is both comfortable and characteristic of Kyoto. • Standard Room Standard rooms are suitable for single travelers or small families, equipped with comfortable beds, desks, TVs, refrigerators, and other modern facilities. Every detail emphasizes comfort and convenience. • Family Room For family travelers, the hotel offers spacious family rooms. The large space allows family members to move freely within the hotel, and the rooms are equipped with facilities suitable for family use, making it ideal for travelers with children. • Cozy Atmosphere and Comfortable Beds Each room is equipped with high-quality beds, with mattresses that are moderately firm, ensuring guests have a good rest environment. The modern bathroom facilities include showers and separate wet and dry areas, equipped with high-quality toiletries. Hotel Features: Unique Experiences Full of Local Flavor 1. OMO Activity Experience As part of the OMO brand launched by Hoshino Resorts, OMO3 Kyoto Toji offers a wealth of local cultural experience activities. For example, guests can participate in Kyoto cultural experience classes arranged by the hotel, learning traditional arts such as tea ceremony and calligraphy, or join local food exploration tours at night. The hotel's "OMO" concept advocates enjoying more unique and in-depth experiences during travel, encouraging guests to get closer to and feel Kyoto. 2. OMO Café & Bar The hotel's dining area is also a highlight. OMO Café & Bar offers a range of selected delicious dishes and drinks, with multiple options for both breakfast and dinner. The environment here is relaxed and stylish, suitable for leisurely enjoying food or socializing with friends. The restaurant uses local ingredients to ensure that every meal allows guests to experience the local flavors of Kyoto. 3. Relaxing and Social Public Spaces The public areas within the hotel are very suitable for socializing and relaxing. Especially the hotel's lounge area, decorated with modern art installations and comfortable sofas, where travelers can rest, work, or interact with other guests. Additionally, the hotel has shared workspaces, ideal for business travelers. 4. Thoughtful Service The hotel offers considerate reception services, including luggage storage and dining recommendations. The front desk staff are very enthusiastic and willing to provide guests with travel advice and transportation information about Kyoto, ensuring every guest has an enjoyable trip to Kyoto. Location: Convenient Transportation and Surrounding Facilities OMO3 Kyoto Toji's location is very advantageous, with major Kyoto attractions such as Toji Temple and Kiyomizu Temple only a short drive or walk away. The surrounding environment is quiet, suitable for travelers who enjoy a tranquil atmosphere. • Toji Temple (about 5 minutes walk): As one of Kyoto's World Cultural Heritage sites, Toji Temple attracts thousands of visitors with its long history and magnificent architecture. • Kiyomizu Temple (about 15 minutes by car): One of Kyoto's most famous attractions, boasting spectacular architecture and beautiful scenery. • Kyoto Station (about 10 minutes by car): Very convenient transportation, allowing travelers to easily take trains to other attractions or surrounding areas of Kyoto. Conclusion: A Hotel Combining Modernity and Traditional Charm OMO3 Kyoto Toji is an ideal accommodation for young, modern travelers. It not only has modern facilities and stylish design but also offers rich local cultural experiences and interactive activities. Whether you are in Kyoto for a short vacation or a deep tour, OMO3 Kyoto Toji can provide you with a warm, convenient, and Kyoto-characteristic living experience. If you want to explore Kyoto's traditional culture while enjoying modern comfort and convenience, this is undoubtedly a perfect choice.

I wondered if I had ever checked in so quickly before. It was so smooth that I wondered. Check-in took about 2-3 minutes. The front desk staff were dressed casually, and the smooth check-in and casual atmosphere seemed to be the OMO style. I recommend this hotel to people who don't like the formal atmosphere of hotels. There was no convenience store nearby, which was inconvenient, but the lobby floor had a selection of snacks, drinks, and alcohol, so if you don't have any particular preferences, it might be worth using. The room was very compact, but considering the price range, it was reasonable. It would be good for people looking for a slightly nicer business hotel. The air conditioning was centrally controlled, and in the winter, the only inconvenient thing was that you could only choose between heating and ventilation. #HotelReview #Kyoto #KyotoHotel