Where to Stay in Kyoto

Updated: October 31, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels in Kyoto

• 5-Star: The Mitsui
• 4-Star: Ace
• Family Apartments: MIMARU Shinmachi Sanjo
• Boutique: My K House
• For Couples: MUNI Kyoto
• Traditional Ryokan: Hiiragiya
• Affordable Ryokan: Tori
• Budget: Kyo-Anthu Inn
• Near Kyoto Station: The Thousand

Downtown Kyoto is my favorite area for first-time visitors. Stay around Kawaramachi, Sanjo, or Karasuma for the best combination of restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and transportation. Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley, and the Kamo River are nearby, and Gion is an easy walk from eastern downtown. Ace Hotel is one of my favorite places to stay here.

Gion and Southern Higashiyama are best for traditional Kyoto. These are the neighborhoods of narrow lanes, wooden houses, temples, and traditional restaurants. Gion has more dining and nightlife; Southern Higashiyama is better for historic surroundings and walking to sights such as Kiyomizu-dera. The best hotels here include Sowaka and Park Hyatt.

Kyoto Station is best for day trips and short stays. It’s the most convenient base for trains to Osaka, Nara, and Tokyo, as well as the airport train. There are plenty of good hotels, but the surrounding streets are less interesting than downtown, and most of Kyoto’s famous sights aren’t within walking distance. The Thousand is an excellent choice beside the station.

Arashiyama is best for a quiet, romantic stay. The river, bamboo groves, and temples are beautiful, especially early in the morning before day-trippers arrive. I love MUNI Kyoto, but I wouldn’t stay in Arashiyama if sightseeing throughout Kyoto is the priority.

Sannen-zaka in Southern Higashiyama, one of Kyoto’s most attractive areas to stay.

Best Areas in Kyoto at a Glance

• Best Overall: Downtown Kyoto, especially Kawaramachi, Sanjo, and Karasuma.
• Best for First-Time Visitors: Downtown Kyoto.
• Best for Traditional Kyoto: Gion and Southern Higashiyama.
• Best for Luxury Hotels: Downtown Kyoto and Higashiyama.
• Best for Families: Downtown Kyoto for apartment hotels; Kyoto Station for convenient transportation.
• Best for Couples: Southern Higashiyama or Arashiyama.
• Best for Restaurants and Nightlife: Kawaramachi, Pontocho, and Kiyamachi.
• Best for Shopping: Downtown Kyoto around Shijo-Kawaramachi.
• Best for Day Trips: Kyoto Station.
• Best for a Quiet Stay: Northern Higashiyama, Okazaki, or Arashiyama.

My two boys in Kyoto – a fantastic city for getting around by bike.

Kyoto Hotel Booking Tips

• Stay at least three nights. Four or five nights is better for exploring Kyoto without rushing, especially if you’re planning a day trip to Nara or Osaka.
• Book early for cherry blossoms and fall foliage. Late March through early April and much of November are especially busy. The best hotels and ryokan can sell out months ahead.
• Check the exact hotel location. Kyoto’s neighborhoods are large. A hotel in Higashiyama might be near Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, or farther north near Nanzen-ji. These are very different locations.
• Know what you’re booking at a ryokan. Some have tatami rooms, futon bedding, shared baths, and fixed meal times. Others offer Western beds and private bathrooms. Check whether breakfast and dinner are included.
• Expect an accommodation tax. Kyoto charges a per-person, per-night tax based on the room rate. Check whether it’s included in your booking total.

The Best Hotels in Kyoto

• Best Luxury Hotels: The Mitsui • Sowaka • Park Hyatt • The Ritz-Carlton • Four Seasons • Roku
• Best Boutique Hotels: Ace • Muso • My K House • BnA Alter Museum • Nagi Arashiyama
• Best Traditional Ryokan: Hiiragiya • Tawara-an • Sumiya • Seikoro
• Best Affordable Ryokan: Tori • Gallery Nozawa Inn • Luck You • Gion Sano
• Best Family Hotels: MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo • Ishicho • Grand West Arashiyama
• Best Budget Hotels: Kyo-Anthu Inn • Hachi Inn • GOCO • Number 6 Nijo • Guesthouse Bon
• Best Hostels: Tsukimi • Mulan • K’s House • Niniroom • Utano

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Kyoto for Tourists

1. Downtown Kyoto: Kawaramachi, Sanjo & Karasuma

Teramachi Shopping Street, a covered pedestrian arcade lined with shops and restaurants in downtown Kyoto, between Sanjo and Shijo streets.

Downtown Kyoto is the best place to stay for most visitors. It’s the city’s main shopping and restaurant district, with excellent hotels, easy transportation, and plenty to do in the evening. Most of downtown is in Nakagyo-ku and Shimogyo-ku.

I especially like the area around Kawaramachi and Sanjo. You’re close to the Kamo River, Pontocho Alley, restaurants, and bars, and can walk across the river to Gion. It’s a great location for visitors who want to explore during the day and have lots of dining choices at night.

Karasuma, farther west, is slightly quieter and has excellent subway access. The area around Karasuma Oike is particularly convenient for getting around the city. Ace Hotel, in the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office building, is one of my favorite hotels in Japan.

Grabbing lunch in downtown Kyoto.

The main shopping district runs along Shijo-dori between Karasuma and the Kamo River. Department stores, boutiques, and covered shopping streets are concentrated here. Teramachi-dori and Shinkyogoku are good for browsing, while Nishiki Market is packed with food stalls and shops selling seafood, pickles, sweets, and other Kyoto specialties.

Nishiki Market is one of the best places to sample Kyoto specialties.

Scallops at Nishiki Market.

For food shopping, don’t overlook the basement food halls at Daimaru and Takashimaya. They’re excellent for prepared meals, sweets, and gifts.

Sushi at Daimaru’s basement food hall.

Mon Loire chocolate counter at Daimaru.

Guranpie Chojiya home goods store.

Pontocho and Kiyamachi are my favorite areas for nightlife. Pontocho is a narrow pedestrian alley lined with restaurants and bars. Some restaurants have summer dining terraces overlooking the Kamo River. Kiyamachi-dori, along the Takase River Canal, has more casual bars, restaurants, and late-night spots.

Pontocho Alley, one of Kyoto’s best areas for an evening out.

Restaurants and bars along Kiyamachi-dori.

For sightseeing, downtown is home to the Kyoto International Manga Museum, Museum of Kyoto, and Nijo Castle. The castle’s Ninomaru Palace is especially worth visiting for its decorated interiors and famous nightingale floors. The Honmaru Palace is also open to visitors through a separate admission arrangement; check the castle’s official website for current access and reservations.

Nijo Castle.

The Wall of Manga at Kyoto International Manga Museum.

The best thing about staying downtown isn’t any single attraction. It’s having good restaurants, shops, transportation, and interesting streets within walking distance of your hotel.

• Best Hotels in Downtown Kyoto: Ace • The Mitsui • The Ritz-Carlton • MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo
• Best Boutique Hotels: Muso • BnA Alter Museum • My K House
• Best Ryokan: Hiiragiya • Tawara-an • Sumiya • Tori
• Best Budget and Midrange: GOCO • Number 6 Nijo • Piece Hostel Sanjo • Carta Hotel Kyoto Bette

2. Gion & Southern Higashiyama

The entrance gates at Kiyomizu-dera.

Gion and Southern Higashiyama are the best areas to stay for historic Kyoto. This is where you’ll find traditional wooden houses, stone-paved lanes, temples, teahouses, and some of the city’s finest hotels and ryokan.

Gion and Southern Higashiyama are next to each other, but staying in one is quite different from staying in the other.

Gion is the more convenient choice. The streets around Hanamikoji and Shirakawa have traditional wooden buildings, restaurants, and teahouses, while Shijo-dori has shops and easy access to Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line. Kawaramachi Station and downtown Kyoto are just across the Kamo River. It’s a good area for evenings out, with plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. The main streets can be busy with tourists, but the smaller lanes are quieter.

Southern Higashiyama is my favorite part of Kyoto for wandering, especially around Ninen-zaka, Sannen-zaka, Yasaka Pagoda, and the streets leading up to Kiyomizu-dera. These narrow, sloping lanes are packed with visitors during the day, but early mornings are wonderful, before the shops open and tour groups arrive. Many shops and restaurants close relatively early, and the area becomes quiet at night. Hotels here are often small, expensive, and set along steep streets that can be awkward with luggage. Public transportation is less convenient than in Gion, so expect more walking or occasional taxis.

Minami-za Theater in Gion.

Gion is Kyoto’s best-known geisha district. You may see a geiko or maiko heading to an appointment, but don’t stop, follow, or photograph them without permission. Some private lanes restrict entry and photography. Hanamikoji is a public street, but the smaller private lanes off it have their own rules.

The Gion Corner performances offer an introduction to traditional Japanese arts, while Minami-za Theater is the place to see kabuki.

For temples, I especially like Kennin-ji, close to central Gion. Its Zen gardens and the Twin Dragons ceiling painting are well worth seeing, and it feels less hectic than the streets around Kiyomizu-dera.

The Twin Dragons ceiling painting at Kennin-ji Temple.

Farther south, Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its wooden stage projecting over the hillside and its views across Kyoto. The approach streets can be extremely crowded, so go early.

The walk between Kiyomizu-dera, Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka, Kodaiji, and Yasaka Shrine is one of the best in Kyoto. Allow time to explore the side streets rather than rushing between temples.

Starbucks occupies a traditional townhouse on Ninen-zaka.

Other worthwhile sights include Sanjusangen-do, with its 1,001 statues of Kannon, and the Kyoto National Museum. Both are farther south, closer to Shichijo Station than to central Gion.

Kyoto National Museum.

For food, Gion is one of Kyoto’s best areas for traditional kaiseki dining. Kikunoi Honten is a famous choice for traditional Kyoto kaiseki, while Kagizen Yoshifusa is excellent for Japanese sweets. Reserve well ahead for high-end restaurants.

The main drawback to staying here is transportation. Gion is reasonably convenient, especially near a train station, but hotels higher up in Southern Higashiyama are less practical for sightseeing across the city. For a first visit, I’d choose Gion over the hillside unless the hotel itself is a major reason for the trip.

• Best Hotels in Gion & Southern Higashiyama: Sowaka • Park Hyatt • Chourakukan • Four Seasons • The Junei
• Best Ryokan: Ishibekoji Muan • Gion Sano • Seikoro • Kamoya
• Best Budget and Midrange: Kyo-Anthu Inn • Ga-Jyun • Misen • M’s Inn
• Best Hostels: Tsukimi • Ryokan Hostel Gion • WIND VILLA

3. Kyoto Station & Shimogyo-ku

Kyoto Tower, across from Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station is the most convenient area for train travel and day trips. The Shinkansen, JR trains, Karasuma subway, airport trains, and numerous buses all serve the station. It’s especially useful if you’re arriving from Tokyo, making day trips to Osaka or Nara, or staying only one or two nights.

The station itself is enormous, with restaurants, department stores, and shopping areas. There are plenty of hotels within a short walk, including excellent luxury options.

The downside is the neighborhood. It’s busy and modern, and most of the streets around the station aren’t especially interesting. You’ll need transportation to reach Gion, the Golden Pavilion, and many other major sights.

The area immediately north of Kyoto Station is in Shimogyo-ku; the south side is in Minami-ku. Hotels farther north toward Gojo and Shijo may be advertised as being in Shimogyo-ku but are no longer particularly close to the station.

Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, north of Kyoto Station.

Two large Buddhist temples are worth visiting nearby. Nishi Hongan-ji has impressive wooden halls and an ornate Karamon gate. Higashi Honganji, closer to the station, is known for its enormous Founder’s Hall.

Higashi Honganji Temple.

West of the station, Umekoji Park contains the Kyoto Aquarium and excellent Kyoto Railway Museum. Both are good choices for families, especially on a rainy day.

Southwest of the station, in Minami-ku, To-ji has Japan’s tallest traditional wooden pagoda. Its popular flea market is held on the 21st of each month.

The five-story pagoda at To-ji Temple.

The Takase River Canal, northeast of the station, has a few good cafés and small hotels. It’s a more pleasant area to walk than the busy streets immediately around the station.

Murmur Coffee beside the Takase River Canal.

• Best Hotels Near Kyoto Station: The Thousand • Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo • M’s Est Nanajo
• Best Ryokan and Traditional Inns: Takasegawa Bettei • Fujiya • Matsubaya
• Best Budget and Midrange: Hachi Inn • Fujitaya B&B • Ayame
• Best Hostels: K’s House • Hana

4. Northern Higashiyama & Okazaki

The Philosopher’s Path, especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.

Northern Higashiyama and Okazaki are excellent for a quieter stay near temples, gardens, and museums. This part of Sakyo-ku is less commercial than downtown or Gion, with leafy streets and some of Kyoto’s best walks.

The main attractions are Nanzen-ji, Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), and the Philosopher’s Path, a canal-side walking route lined with cherry trees. The path itself is roughly 2km long, though you’ll walk farther if you include the temples at either end.

Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion. Despite its name, the building was never covered in silver.

Around Okazaki Park are the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern Art, and Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design. The area is a good choice for a rainy day.

The large torii gate near Heian Shrine.

The nearby Heian Shrine has spacious grounds and an excellent garden, particularly during cherry blossom season. Murin-an is another garden worth visiting.

This is a good area for couples and repeat visitors who prefer quiet evenings. It’s less convenient for nightlife and shopping, and hotels farther north can require longer bus or taxi rides.

• Best Hotels in Northern Higashiyama & Okazaki: Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei • Westin Miyako
• Best Ryokan: Rakucho • Sawaya Honten • Iru
• Best Budget and Midrange: Kobako • Aoi Nakamoto • YaDo! Kyoto Okazaki • Niniroom

5. North Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji & Kita-ku

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion.

North Kyoto has some outstanding temples and secluded luxury hotels, but it’s not a convenient base for most first-time visitors. Attractions are spread out, and getting downtown requires a bus or taxi.

The main sight is Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Go when it opens to avoid the worst crowds. The route around the pond is relatively short, and the pavilion is one of Kyoto’s most recognizable sights.

West of Kinkaku-ji, in Ukyo-ku, are Ryoan-ji, famous for its Zen rock garden, and Ninna-ji, known for its five-story pagoda. These three temples make a good half-day outing.

The rock garden at Ryoan-ji.

Other worthwhile sights include Daitoku-ji and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The latter hosts a popular flea market on the 25th of each month.

Farther east, Shimogamo Shrine is in Sakyo-ku, not Kita-ku. It’s worth visiting if you’re exploring northern Kyoto, especially together with the nearby Kyoto Botanical Gardens.

Shimogamo Shrine in Sakyo-ku.

The best reason to stay in North Kyoto is a hotel such as Roku or Aman Kyoto. Both offer a quieter, resort-like experience away from the busiest tourist streets.

• Best Hotels in North Kyoto: Roku • Aman Kyoto
• Best Budget and Midrange: Sakura Komachi • Guesthouse Bon

6. Arashiyama & Northwestern Kyoto

The Katsura River at Arashiyama.

Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s prettiest areas, but I recommend it primarily for couples and travelers who want a quiet hotel stay. It’s excellent for temples, gardens, and walking, but less convenient for exploring the rest of Kyoto.

The main sights are the Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryu-ji Temple. All are close together, and the area is easy to explore on foot.

Rickshaw drivers in Arashiyama.

The Bamboo Grove is beautiful but often packed with visitors. Staying nearby allows you to visit early, before the tour groups arrive. For a quieter walk, continue to Okochi Sanso Garden or explore the streets and temples farther north.

The bamboo path at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, separate from Arashiyama’s main Bamboo Grove.

The quieter northern part of Arashiyama includes Giō-ji, Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street, and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, where roughly 8,000 stone Buddhist figures commemorate the dead.

Stone Buddhist figures at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji.

Across the river, Iwatayama Monkey Park is a fun stop for families. There’s a steep uphill walk to the viewing area. The monkeys roam freely, but feeding is allowed only from inside the designated building.

The Sagano Romantic Train follows the Hozu River Gorge toward Kameoka. The Hozugawa River Boat Ride is a popular way to return toward Arashiyama, when operating.

The moss garden at Saiho-ji, southwest of central Arashiyama, requires advance reservations through the temple’s official website. Don’t rely on older advice about mailing postcards to request entry.

Arashiyama is a great place for a one-night splurge or a relaxing end to a longer Kyoto visit. For a first trip focused on sightseeing, I’d stay downtown and visit Arashiyama as a day trip.

• Best Hotels in Arashiyama: MUNI • Nagi • Grand West
• Best Budget and Midrange: Yado • Atagoya
• Best Hostels: Mulan • Utano

Getting Around Kyoto

Walking and trains are the best ways to explore Kyoto. Downtown is walkable, but the city’s famous temples are spread across a large area. Plan sightseeing by neighborhood rather than crossing the city several times a day.

• Subway and Trains: Kyoto has two subway lines, Karasuma and Tozai. JR, Keihan, Hankyu, and Randen trains are also useful. Keihan is particularly convenient for Gion, Fushimi Inari, and eastern Kyoto. Hankyu connects downtown Kyoto with Arashiyama and Osaka.
• Buses: Buses reach many temples that trains don’t serve, including Kinkaku-ji. They can be extremely crowded during cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons. Use trains when possible.
• Taxis: Useful for reaching temples away from train stations, traveling with luggage, and avoiding crowded buses. For two to four people, a short taxi ride can be worth the extra cost.
• Bicycles: Central Kyoto is relatively flat and good for cycling, but parking is strictly regulated. Use designated bicycle parking areas.
• Rental Cars: Don’t rent a car for sightseeing in Kyoto. Traffic, parking, and narrow streets make driving more trouble than it’s worth.
• From Osaka Itami Airport: The airport limousine bus takes about an hour to Kyoto Station, depending on traffic.
• From Osaka: JR trains are best for Kyoto Station; Hankyu trains are convenient for downtown Kyoto around Kawaramachi.

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