Traditionally popular with young people, hostels and guesthouses are growing in popularity among middle-aged and elderly people looking for reasonably priced accommodations.
One such guesthouse in Kyoto, called Kazariya, was converted from a 100-year-old private house.
The guesthouse has four rooms, each of which can accommodate two to four people at ¥6,000 to ¥9,000 per night.