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Just about any traditional inn you stay at in Japan will have a posted curfew (usually 11pm or 12pm). Take this very seriously, as these inns will lock their doors and you will be stuck if not back in time. If staying out late is an issue for you then look at either a ryokan hotel, which while it has some of the amernities of a ryokan operates more like a normal hotel, or a western-style hotel. But I found that the curfew was not an issue at all, as I was usually out all day and by the time I came back after dinner I was ready to fall flat on my face!
I stayed at the Matsubaya this past October for six days and found it a great compromise between the high-end ryokans in Kyoto and a western-style hotel. It's an older place, with a few of the disadvantages that come with an old traditional Japanese building (thin walls, steep staircase), but I found the pluses far ourweighed the minses.
First of all, Mrs. Hayashi who owns the inn is an absolute delight! She tries very hard to be helpful to her guests even if her English isn't so great. The inn is centrally located just a 10 minute walk away from Kyoto station, making it ideal for sightseers trying to get around the city. The inn is off on a side-street so while you're close by the main drag, it's very quiet. Price-wise, it's ideal for a traveller on a budget and they have a fridge and a microwave if you want to keep some food there for yourself. There is a coin laundry for guests, and a computer with free internet access available in the main area. They don't charge your for the shower, bath, sitting area...
Kyoto has a great night-life and it's fun to go out, but I was more itnerested in getting up early, grabbing breakfast and getting out to see things, so I didn't mind early nights in! And for breakfast, there's a great place down on Kamijuzuyamachi-dori as you walk towards Kyoto Station called the Cafe Roma. They serve a morning set that includes coffee, toast, 1 egg, a slice of ham and salad for Y500. The young woman who runs it is an absolute doll!
Source(s):
Spent 3 weeks traveling in Japan this past October.