It's in Northern Kyoto-- in what seemed to me like a rural area, though not too rural, considering there were pretty large stores nearby. Unlike Tokyo, there's a real ancient feel to the area
(I didn't take this picture, but this is the front entrance... Can't beat that for $32!)
Here's a review of Myorenji from frommers.com:
Location
Teranouchi Omiya Higashi-iru, Horikawa, Kamigyo-ku, Northern Kyoto
Transportation
Bus: 9 to Horikawa Teranouchi stop (5 min.)
Room Information
6 units, none with bathroom
Prices
¥3,800 ($32/£16) per person. Rates include a ticket for the neighborhood public bath (
Personal Note: the lady who owns the local bathhouse is the cutest, nicest lady I have ever met. If she is still alive, I recommend going to this part of town just to meet this lady.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
In Room Amenities
A/C, hot-water pot w/tea (coffee on request), no phone
If you don't mind the austerity of life in a temple (early to bed, early to rise), you'll like the tranquillity of this place. Located northwest of the Horikawa-Ternanouchi intersection in a pleasant, quiet neighborhood, Myorenji Temple was founded more than 700 years ago and is now run by a jolly woman named Chizuko-san, who speaks a little English. As she manages this place virtually single-handedly, she prefers guests who stay 2 or 3 days and requests that they make reservations at least a week in advance (a month in advance would be even better). The temple buildings, about 200 years old and containing several important cultural properties (including paintings from the Momoyama Period that you can see upon request), are beautifully laid out. Cherry blossoms bloom from October to April, and there's even a rock garden, laid out by the same priest who directed the construction of the gardens of Katsura Imperial Villa. Sleeping is in bare, simple tatami rooms, and because there are no bathing facilities on the temple grounds, you're given a ticket to use the neighborhood bath. Check in is from 5 to 7pm, doors are locked at 9pm, and services are held every morning at 6:30am.