If a hotel doesn’t appeal while you’re on holiday, serviced apartments are a fantastic alternative. 22 Pieces is a chic boutique hotel-cum-serviced apartment with spacious, fully-equipped studio-style rooms. It’s perfect for families with kids or when you’re travelling as a group!
22 Pieces – image © Booking.com
Those who love boutique hotels or care about well-designed spaces will love 22 Pieces. The concept behind this hotel is rather unique: there are 22 Japanese objects in the lobby which guests can borrow and use, either in their own rooms or when out sightseeing. These are all locally-made objects, ranging from traditional tea making sets to cooking appliances and special tools. You encounter a wide range of objects that you would likely otherwise never have the opportunity to handle. It’s also a great way to test out these objects before shelling out for one!
22 Pieces – image © Booking.com
Hotels are all very well for short stays, but hotel rooms can feel too impersonal, and can often wear on you after a few nights. Serviced apartments, or ‘apartment hotels’ as they’re called here, are great alternatives to traditional hotel rooms. Having a small kitchen and lounge area makes all the difference – it makes an unfamiliar city feel like a home away from home.
The studios and apartments in 22 Pieces are fairly spacious compared to hotels, with space for 2 – 5 guests per room. Each one is beautifully designed and outfitted, and great for relaxing in at the end of the day. Think of this place as a classy home away from home. The beds deserve a special mention for being relatively large and comfortable, and the Dyson hairdryer is a blast to use.
22 Pieces – image © Booking.com
Breakfast and room service are not provided at 22 Pieces, but you can request daily room cleaning during check-in. Note that the front desk is not manned 24/7 either, but staff are usually around during business hours. The staff are very friendly and speak multiple languages, so communicating with them typically won’t be an issue.
All studios are ensuite, but they also have adjoining, fully-stocked kitchens. If you love cooking on holiday, or have special dietary requirements that necessitate meal prep every day, this is the perfect space for you.
22 Pieces – image © Booking.com
There’s a wide range of pots and pans, enough crockery for a large family, electric kettle, microwave oven, basic seasonings, and dishwashing liquids. The large supermarket in Aeon Mall is just 4 minutes away for all your local ingredient shopping. Having a space to prepare some simple meals for dinner is a nice alternative to grappling with restaurant menus that might not cater to you.
22 Pieces – image © Booking.com
While it is near enough Kyoto Station, the immediate area is quite residential, and there’s not much in the way of attractions. Still, that’s not really an issue given the proximity to Kyoto Station and its myriad transport connections. It is a great base for exploring areas outside of Kyoto, and especially if you’re travelling with a JR Pass. Day trips to Uji, Nara, Arashiyama, Himeji, Osaka, or Hiroshima are made extremely easy by hopping on the bullet train or one of the multiple train connections.
Depending on your budget, you might not find 22 Pieces to be the cheapest option around, but you’re paying for the following things: spaciousness, great design, comfort, fantastic amenities, and the feeling of a home away from home.
Name in English:
22 Pieces
Name in Japanese:
22 ピース
English address:
9-4 Higashikujo-muro-machi, Minami-ku
Japanese address:
南区東九条室町9-4
Price:
Internet: wifi access
Non-smoking rooms: Yes
Nearest Transport:
4min walk from JR Kyoto Station Hachijo Nishi gate
Telephone: 644-5115
Website:
:: Check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Official site: (English)
22pieces.jp
Near To Here:
22 Pieces is located in Kyoto Station area. See our complete list of things to do in Kyoto Station area, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
More Kyoto Hotels info:
- Kyoto Hotels Overview
- Check availability and pricing for Kyoto hotels at Booking.com and Agoda.com
- The Best Places To Stay In Kyoto
- Where To Stay In Kyoto
- Best New Kyoto Hotels
- The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto
- Best Value Hotels In Kyoto
- Kyoto Vacation Rentals
- Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Small Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Mid-Range Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Budget Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Kyoto Hostels and Guesthouses
- Best Kyoto Hotels For Families
- Best Japanese Hotel Chains
- Best Ryokan In Kyoto
- Kyoto Machiya
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
