This is another installment of the April Kyoto accommodation series. This time, I wanted to stay at a hotel that I found online, Hotel Via Inn Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi, located in the Kyoto Station area. The hotel is within a 5-minute walk from the south side of Kyoto Station. The spacious and clean rooms, especially the twin room, impressed me with its calm atmosphere. The hotel also offers a convenient service where you can shop at the attached Seven-Eleven using a designated shopping basket and take your purchases directly to your room. One highlight was the breakfast buffet, which I had been looking forward to. The buffet area had a lively atmosphere resembling Kyoto street stalls, with food options designed to prevent droplet spread and contamination. Guests were required to wear embossed (vinyl) gloves while dining. The buffet had a wide variety of dishes, blending Japanese and Western styles with a touch of Kyoto's traditional flavors. The dining area was spacious, and the infection control measures were well implemented. I enjoyed the creative presentation of dishes, such as Kyoto-style motsu-nabe served in a traditional hearth setting, and the attention to detail in condiments like salad dressings and tempura salts. The food was beautifully plated, and the flavors and textures were satisfying. Overall, I had a delightful dining experience and left the hotel with a positive impression of both the accommodation and the service.

I attended a former student's wedding in Kyoto, where I experienced a heartwarming and cozy atmosphere. After the ceremony and reception, I stayed overnight in Kyoto. Before checking into the hotel, I hurriedly visited "Omurice Hitomi" in a taxi and had the "Jumbo Omurice" for 1,500 yen (including tax). For dinner, I went to "Ramen Nipponichi Gojo Nanahonmatsu" and had two servings of "B. Gutsy Ramen" for 1,300 yen each, which were free if finished within 20 minutes. With these meals, my food journey in Kyoto came to an end. I felt satisfied and ready to enjoy a night at the hotel. The hotel I stayed at was "Hotel Via Inn Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi," conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station. The hotel staff were welcoming and attentive, making me feel at home. The breakfast buffet at the hotel's restaurant, "Shokusai Kenbi Nonobudou," was included in my reservation, offering a variety of delicious options. Overall, my stay at "Hotel Via Inn Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi" was pleasant and comfortable, and I highly recommend it for those visiting Kyoto.

I used the morning plan for my stay in 2019. The hotel had just opened and the plan with breakfast was reasonable, so I decided to use it. The location is convenient, about a 2-3 minute walk from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit. The hotel room was new, clean, spacious, and functional. The breakfast had plenty of vegetables, desserts, and drinks. The dishes were carefully chosen, but they were heavy for the elderly and children, so I thought plastic containers would be better to prevent the risk of dropping them. It is still a new hotel, so I look forward to improvements in the future.

The breakfast at the restaurant Shokusai Kenbiya on the 1st floor of Hotel Via Inn Kyoto is amazing. On this day, it was being used by high school students on a school trip. I envy them being able to eat this. It is a buffet breakfast with a variety of vegetable dishes lined up. Grilled fish is recommended, especially the salmon belly which I like, but unfortunately it was not available today. The staff send you off with a cheerful "Have a good day!" ＼(^o^)／