Kyoto is magical, but standard hotel rooms here can be shockingly small. Here is how to find spacious accommodation where you can actually open your suitcase.
You’ve booked your flights, planned your temple route, and you’re ready for the trip of a lifetime to Kyoto. But there is one common mistake that many Western travelers make, only realizing it when they unlock their hotel door:
“Wait… is this the whole room?”
It is an open secret in the travel industry: Hotels in Japan are compact. A standard room is often just 15 square meters (about 160 sq ft). Once you put two beds in there, there is literally no floor space left. If you are traveling with large suitcases, you might find yourself jumping over them just to get to the bathroom.
If you want to avoid “claustrophobia” and find spacious hotels in Kyoto without paying luxury 5-star prices, there is a specific type of accommodation you need to look for: The Apartment Hotel.
Leading this trend is a brand called Minn, which offers suite-style rooms designed for groups and families who value space.
The Quick Verdict: If you value floor space and comfort, skip the business hotels. Minn offers rooms that are 1.5x to 2x larger than the Kyoto average, perfect for relaxing after a long day of walking.
【Official】Minn Reservations | Experience a “Stay as You Live” Style
(Spacious suites available for 2–8 guests)
Why Are Kyoto Hotels So Small? (And What Size Do You Actually Need?)
Kyoto is a historic city with strict building height regulations to preserve the scenery. This means hotels can’t build “up,” so they squeeze as many small rooms as possible into the limited land.
To ensure a comfortable stay, you need to look at the numbers. Here is a realistic size guide for Western travelers:
- 15 sqm (160 sq ft): Standard Business Hotel. The bed touches the walls. You must close your suitcase to walk around. Avoid for long stays.
- 20–25 sqm (215–270 sq ft): Standard City Hotel. Manageable for solo travelers or couples with backpacks, but tight for large luggage.
- 30–40 sqm+ (320–430 sq ft+): The “Comfort Zone.” This is where you get a sofa, a coffee table, and breathing room. This is the standard size for most Apartment Hotels.
- 50 sqm+ (538 sq ft+): Suite / Large Room. Feels like a real apartment. Ideal for families and groups.
Pro-Tip: When searching for “Hotels with large rooms in Kyoto,” always filter for rooms larger than 30 sqm to avoid disappointment.
3 Reasons Why “Space” Changes Your Entire Trip
Source：Minn Official Website
You might think, “I’ll only be in the room to sleep.” But in reality, having a spacious room dramatically improves your Quality of Life (QOL) while traveling.
1. The “Suitcase Tetris” Problem is Solved
International travelers usually have large check-in bags. In a small room, you have to constantly pack and unpack just to move around. In a spacious hotel, you can leave your suitcases open on the floor or on a rack. You can lay out your souvenirs, organize your outfits for the next day, and pack stress-free before your departure.
2. A Living Room to Actually Live In
In a tiny room, the bed is your chair, your dining table, and your desk. Spacious rooms, like those at Minn, come with a dedicated living area with a sofa and dining table.
- Enjoy a beer or sake after a bath without sitting on your duvet.
- Eat snacks from the Nishiki Market comfortably.
- If one person wakes up early (hello, jet lag!), they can read in the living area without waking up the person in the bedroom.
3. The Whole Group Stays Together
If you are a group of 4 to 8 people, standard hotels will split you into 2 or 3 separate rooms, often on different floors. The fun ends when you say “goodbye” in the lobby. Large rooms allow the whole group to stay in one unit. You can recap the day’s adventures, plan tomorrow’s route, and enjoy that “school trip” excitement of being together—with enough space that you aren’t stepping on each other’s toes.
Why “Minn” is the Best Choice for Spacious Stays in Kyoto
Source：Minn Official Website
Until recently, getting a 40 sqm+ room in Kyoto meant booking a luxury suite for $1,000 a night. Minn has disrupted this market by offering Apartment Hotels. They provide the space of a luxury suite at a reasonable price by cutting out unnecessary extras (like bellhops or banquet halls) and focusing on the room itself.
Here is why Minn is the top recommendation for space-seekers:
1. Designed for “Togetherness” (Up to 8 Guests)
Minn’s rooms are architecturally designed to feel open. High ceilings and smart layouts make the already generous floor plan feel even bigger. Whether you are a family of 5 or a group of friends, everyone has a place to sit. It’s a social space, not just a sleeping pod.
2. Kitchens & Dining Tables = “Live Like a Local”
Most Minn suites come with a kitchen and a proper dining table. Instead of eating every meal at a restaurant (which gets expensive and tiring), you can buy Wagyu beef or fresh local fruit at a department store and have a private tasting party in your room. It turns “dinner” into a relaxing, private experience.
3. Smart Storage & Laundry
Long-term travelers love Minn because the rooms are designed for living. You have closets for your coats and plenty of space for shopping bags. Plus, having an in-room washing machine means you can wash your clothes while you relax, keeping your suitcase organized and your clothes fresh.
4. Prime Locations
Minn hotels are located in key areas like Kyoto Station, Gion, and Nijo Castle. Because the locations are central, you can drop off your heavy bags before check-in and explore the city hands-free. No more dragging luggage through crowded streets.
【Official】Book Minn Here for the Best Rates
Real Guest Reviews on “Space”
Here is what travelers are saying about the size of Minn rooms:
“Finally, room to breathe!” (Group of 4 friends) “We struggled to find a hotel where 4 of us could stay together without being cramped. Minn’s living room was huge! We stayed up late talking on the sofa. The double vanity sinks also made getting ready in the morning so much faster.”
“Better than a 5-star for families” (Family of 5) “Usually we have to book two rooms, but here we all fit in one suite. The kids had space to run around, and we didn’t feel on top of each other. It felt like a home away from home.”
What is an “Apartment Hotel”?
Source：Minn Official Website
If you haven’t stayed in one before, think of it as the perfect hybrid:
- From a Hotel: You get professional cleaning, fresh linens, high-quality amenities, and reliable security.
- From an Apartment: You get a kitchen, living room, washing machine, and SPACE.
It removes the risk of booking a random private rental (Airbnb) while giving you much more value than a standard hotel.
Upgrade Your Kyoto Trip with “Space”
Source：Minn Official Website
Don’t let a cramped room be the memory you take home from Kyoto. The luxury of space allows you to recharge properly so you can enjoy the temples and shrines with full energy.
Minn offers the best balance of size, comfort, and location in Kyoto.
Warning: The large suites are limited in number and sell out quickly, especially during Cherry Blossom and Autumn seasons.
Ready to stretch out and relax? Check the availability for spacious rooms below.
【Official】Check Out Minn’s Rooms & Atmosphere
(Select from Minn Nijo-jo, Minn Gion, and other prime locations)