If you’re wondering where to stay in Kyoto, check our comparison of Kyoto’s key areas for places to stay and our rundown of the types of accommodation available in Kyoto.
Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Kyoto?
As of January 2025, the following are the best, most convenient areas to stay in Kyoto, listed in rough order of priority, with the most convenient places listed first.
- Downtown Kyoto
- Southern Higashiyama
- Kyoto Station Area
- Central Kyoto
- Northern Higashiyama
- Arashiyama
Scroll down for all the details, some hotel/ryokan recommendations and our Where To Stay map.
Downtown Kyoto
All things considered, Downtown Kyoto is the best place to stay. You’ll be within walking distance of hundreds of restaurants, shops and bars, as well as both of the city’s subway lines and two train lines. Downtown Kyoto is also within walking distance of two of the city’s main sightseeing areas: Southern Higashiyama and Northern Higashiyama. The only caveat is that some parts of Downtown Kyoto can be crowded, so if you don’t like crowds, check some other areas.
Key Points
- Positives: convenient, tons of restaurants and shops, good transport connections
- Negatives: can be crowded
- Best for: young people, couples, shoppers, night owls
Best Places To Stay In Downtown Kyoto
Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Downtown Kyoto are
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
- International Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto – A true international luxury hotel on the banks of the Kamo-gawa River in the heart of the city, the Ritz-Carlton is easily one of the best hotels in Kyoto. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Kyoto Hotel Okura
- Local Luxury: Kyoto Hotel Okura – The Kyoto Hotel Okura has the most convenient location of any hotel in Kyoto (it’s right downtown and directly above a subway line). It’s a luxury hotel with reasonable prices. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Shorai room at Tawaraya ryokan – image © Chris Rowthorn
- Ryokan: Tawaraya – Tawaraya is the finest ryokan in Kyoto and, arguably, the finest in all Japan. Private gardens and incredible attention to detail make it a very special Kyoto experience. Read our review.
Solaria Nishitetsu
- Mid-Range: Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier – Opened in 2016, the Solaria Nishitetsu commands one of the very best locations in all of Kyoto. It’s a stylish hotel with very reasonable rates given the location and quality. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Resol Trinity
- Budget: Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oike Fuyacho – A modern mid-range hotel conveniently located in downtown Kyoto, Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oikefuyacho offers clean, tastefully decorated rooms in the heart of the city. We love the public bath! Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
You may also want to consider brand-new properties that have opened in Kyoto in the last year in Downtown Kyoto such as the Hilton Kyoto, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier and Insomnia Kyoto Oike. See our Best New Hotels In Kyoto 2025 page for more details.
See our full list of recommended hotels on the Downtown Kyoto page.
Southern Higashiyama
Southern Higashiyama is also a great place to be based. It’s near some of the city’s most impressive sights and there are plenty of restaurants scattered about, especially if you stay in or near Gion. Best of all, the lanes of Southern Higashiyama are incredibly atmospheric for strolling in the evening.
Key Points
- Positives: close to the sights, beautiful lanes, close to downtown
- Negatives: can be crowded in busy seasons
- Best for: couples, families, anyone
Best Places To Stay In Southern Higashiyama
Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Southern Higashiyama are
Four Seasons Kyoto
- Luxury: Four Seasons Kyoto – A truly sublime luxury hotel in the Southern Higashiyama area of Kyoto, the Four Seasons Kyoto is a top choice for a relaxing Kyoto stay. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Exterior of Amber House – image © Amber House
- Vacation Rental: Amber House – Amber House in Gion is a magical traditional Japanese house on a quiet street just steps away from the city’s most important sightseeing district. Read our review.
Yuzuya Ryokan
- Ryokan: Yuzuya Ryokan – Hidden right next to Yasaka-jinja Shrine, this lovely ryokan is a fantastic place to stay in Kyoto and the location is among the best in town. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Nohga Hotel
- Mid-Range: Nohga Hotel Kyoto Kiyomizu – A mid-sized hotel with a great restaurant, on-site bakery and rooftop bar/lounge a stone’s throw from the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district, the Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto is an excellent value and a compelling choice in this category. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka
- Budget: RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka – RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka isn’t your run-of-the-mill, conventionally designed hotel. This boutique hotel right in the heart of Higashiyama is a real hidden gem with personal touches galore. The sunsets from the roof terrace are stunning too! Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
You may also want to check out a fantastic hotel that just opened in Southern Higashiyama in August 2024: Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. See our Best New Hotels In Kyoto 2025 page for more details.
See our full list of recommended hotels on the Southern Higashiyama page.
Kyoto Station Area
Kyoto Station is a good place to be based. There are plenty of restaurants and shops and, of course, you’ll be very close to Kyoto Station, which is convenient for trips to other parts of Japan, as well as all parts of Kyoto. The downside is that you’ll have to travel to do your sightseeing in Kyoto.
Key Points
- Positives: transport hub, lots of restaurants and shops
- Negatives: a bit far from most sights
- Best for: families, people who want to explore Kansai
Best Places To Stay In The Kyoto Station Area
Our top hotel and ryokan picks in the Kyoto Station Area are
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
- Luxury: Hotel Granvia Kyoto – The Kyoto Hotel Granvia is not only the best hotel in the Kyoto Station area, it’s also the most convenient, since it located directly above the station itself. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Izuyasu
- Ryokan: Izuyasu – The Izuyasu is a classic traditional ryokan within walking distance of Kyoto Station. It’s one of the best places to get the full ryokan experience without paying the rates of the more famous places downtown. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Hotel Vischio Kyoto
- Mid-Range: Hotel Vischio Kyoto – If you’re looking for a solid hotel near Kyoto Station, with great shopping and dining options nearby, all at a reasonable rate, the Hotel Vischio Kyoto is a fantastic choice. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Sakura Terrace
- Budget: Sakura Terrace – If you don’t mind being south of Kyoto Station, the Sakura Terrace is a great choice in the budget to moderate price range. It’s an efficient and welcoming hotel with highly competitive rates. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
You may also want to check out two new hotels that opened recently in the Kyoto Station Area: Dusit Thai Kyoto and Doubletree by Hilton Kyoto Station. See our Best New Hotels In Kyoto 2025 page for more details.
See our full list of recommended hotels on the Kyoto Station Area page.
Central Kyoto
Central Kyoto encompasses a huge area in the middle of the city. There are several good hotels in Central Kyoto that aren’t too far from downtown and the subway lines. The downside with staying in Central Kyoto is that you’ll probably have to travel to the main sightseeing districts as well as the restaurants and nightlife of downtown.
Key Points
- Positives: wide streets, quiet
- Negatives: can be far from sights
- Best for: families, couples, those who want quiet
Best Places To Stay In Central Kyoto
Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Central Kyoto are
Genji Kyoto
- Luxury: Genji Kyoto – This newest addition to the Kyoto scene (opened in April 2022) is a real find as it offers a high level of luxury at reasonable prices. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
- Ryokan: Nazuna Kyoto Gosho – Nazuna Kyoto Gosho is a stunning ryokan in a quiet area near the lovely Kyoto Imperial Palace Park (Gosho). It’s a stylish place with all the amenities modern travelers expect. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto
- Mid-Range: Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto – The Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto is a beautiful, small boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood just north of downtown. Rooms are large and comfortable, the service is great and personal and the rates are reasonable for what you get. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Imu Hotel Kyoto
- Budget: Imu Hotel Kyoto – A short walk west of downtown, the Imu Hotel Kyoto is one of the cheapest places to stay in all of Kyoto. With a lively lounge/restaurant/bar area, the Imu feels like a friendly hostel. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
See our full list of recommended hotels on the Central Kyoto page.
Northern Higashiyama
Northern Higashiyama is a good place to stay, particularly if you want to be near green spaces and don’t mind getting on your bicycle or a bus to get downtown for eating and shopping (of course, there are some restaurants in Northern Higashiyama as well). There aren’t many hotels in Northern Higashiyama, but there are some ryokan, guesthouses and vacation rentals.
Key Points
- Positives: quiet, close to the sights, great strolling
- Negatives: a bit far to downtown
- Best for: walkers, couple, contemplatives
Best Places To Stay In Northern Higashiyama
Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Northern Higashiyama are
Okura Okazaki Bettei
- Luxury: Okura Okazaki Bettei – Located in the northern Higashiyama district, a fair distance from downtown, the Okazaki Bettei is a particular choice for those in search of quiet and pleasant neighborhood walking. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Hotel Legasta
- Mid-Range: Hotel Legasta Kyoto Higashiyama Sanjo – A small boutique hotel very close to the Higashiyama sightseeing districts, the Legasta Kyoto Higashiyama Sanjo is a serious bargain. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
- Luxury Ryokan: Nanzenji Sando Kikusui – For those with a little cash to splash, consider staying at Nanzenji Sando Kikusui. A night here won’t come cheap, but it’s worth it for a sublime ryokan experience. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Ryokan Yachiyo
- Moderate Ryokan: Ryokan Yachiyo – Garden Ryokan Yachiyo is fine ryokan right “on the doorstep” of Nanzen-ji Temple, comfortable with foreign guests and close to the subway. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
See our full list of recommended hotels on the Northern Higashiyama page.
Arashiyama
All the way over on the west side of the city, Arashiyama is not the most popular place to stay, but it’s good for a night or two if you want to stay close to nature. Two of the city’s finest accommodations are here: the superb Hoshinoya Kyoto, which is accessible by boat up the Hozu-gawa River, and Arashiyama Benkei, a classic ryokan with wonderful views of the mountains.
Key Points
- Positives: quiet, close to some sights, great strolling
- Negatives: far from the rest of Kyoto, crowded in the daytime
- Best for: couples, contemplatives, honeymooners
Best Places To Stay In Arashiyama
Our favorite places to stay in Arashiyama are
Suiran Kyoto
- Luxury Hotel: Suiran Kyoto – Suiran is a fine luxury hotel with a superb location in Arashiyama, overlooking the Hozu-gawa River. It offers spacious and well-equipped rooms and excellent views. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Arashiyama Benkei
- Luxury Ryokan: Arashiyama Benkei – One of the finest riverside ryokan in Arashiyama, this traditional spot is a great place for those who want to be based in Arashiyama. Read our review or view on Booking.com and Agoda.com.
You can read more about Arashiyama’s many attractions on the Arashiyama page.
Where To Stay In Kyoto – Best Districts Map
District Map key:
- Yellow: most desirable
- Red: desirable
- Green: acceptable
- Light gray: less desirable
- Medium gray: only in a pinch
- Dark gray: last resort
Click the menu icon on the top left of the map to see the name and ranking of each Kyoto district. Zoom in on the map to explore each district in more detail.
Tawaraya exterior – image © Chris Rowthorn
Types Of Accommodation In Kyoto
In Kyoto, you can stay in everything from dirt-cheap guesthouses to five-star international hotels. Kyoto is packed with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), making it a great place to sample this wonderful “only in Japan” experience. Just be warned that good ryokan can be very expensive (don’t forget that they usually serve meals) and staying in one is a little more involved than staying in a hotel. Thus, I often advise people to spend their first night in Kyoto in a ryokan, and then move to hotel for the rest of their stay.
Seikoro Ryokan entrance
Ryokans
Kyoto is home to some of the finest luxury ryokans in Japan, like Seikoro and Nazuna Kyoto Gosho, as well as some great foreigner-friendly mid-range ryokans like Ishibeikoji Muan and Nishiyama Ryokan.
For specific ryokan recommendations, please see
- Best Luxury Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Mid-Range Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
- Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Families
- Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Couples
See our overview of Kyoto ryokan on the Kyoto Ryokan page.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
Hotels
Kyoto has a fantastic selection of hotels, ranging from the top-of-the-line Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, to the superbly located Kyoto Hotel Okura, along with good value places.
For our picks of the best hotels in each category, please see
- Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Mid-Range Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Budget Hotels In Kyoto
- Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Kyoto Hotels for Families
- Best Kyoto Hotels for Sightseeing
- The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto
- Best Value Hotels In Kyoto
See our overview on the Kyoto Hotels page.
You can also check current Kyoto hotel availability at Agoda.com and Booking.com.
Super Hotel Shijokawaramachi
Business Hotels
Business hotels are inexpensive hotels with small but adequate rooms with all the features you need. They’re usually an excellent value and they welcome travelers.
Our picks for the best business hotels include
- Downtown Kyoto: Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo-Karasuma – A very good value in the business hotel space, the Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo-Karasuma is one of the cheapest business hotels in town. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
- Downtown Kyoto: Super Hotel Shijokawaramachi – The Super Hotel chain specializes in no-frills hotels with small rooms and small prices to match and this downtown branch is no exception. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
- Downtown Kyoto: Hotel Mystays Kyoto-Shijo – Situated a short walk west of Shijo-Karasuma and Shijo stations, Hotel Mystays Kyoto Shijo is a good and inexpensive downtown hotel. Rooms are comfortable, and the multiple bus connections nearby make it a great base for exploring the rest of the city. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
- Downtown Kyoto: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma – The brand-new Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma is a brilliant new midrange business hotel within walking distance of downtown. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
- Kyoto Station Area: Hotel Hokke Club Kyoto – The Hotel Hokke Club Kyoto is almost always a pleasant surprise: a clean, well-run business hotel just steps from Kyoto Station at a great price. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
See our Business Hotels In Kyoto page for more details.
Len Kyoto Kawaramachi
Guesthouses
Guesthouses have exploded in popularity in Kyoto in recent years, and it seems like a new one opens every week. There are some fly-by-night places out there, so we suggest staying at a well-established place like the excellent Len Kyoto Kawaramachi or the Aussie-style K’s House Kyoto.
You can see more recommended Guesthouses on the Kyoto Hostels And Guesthouses page.
Old Kyoto Indigo House machiya
Machiya Rentals/Vacation Rentals
Kyoto is famous for its wonderfully atmospheric traditional townhouses, known as machiya. A night in a beautifully restored machiya is an unforgettable experience – there are several available to book online. See our Kyoto Machiya page for full details. You’ll also find lots of great modern vacation rentals in Kyoto on the usual websites.
Our picks for the best machiya rentals in Kyoto are
- Southern Higashiyama: Amber House – Amber House in Gion is a magical traditional Japanese house on a quiet street just steps away from the city’s most important sightseeing district. Read our review.
- Southern Higashiyama: Indigo House – Indigo House Gion is a former geisha house that has been converted into two sublime vacation rental properties. They offer the unforgettable experience of staying in a traditional yet comfortable Kyoto house – just steps away from the city’s main sightseeing district. Read our review.
- Southern Higashiyama: The Gion House – The Gion House is actually a lovely old Gion house that’s been subdivided into two units, each of which is impeccably decorated. Read our review.
- Southern Higashiyama: The Old Modern – The Old Modern is a superbly renovated early Showa residence that is divided into four wonderfully appointed and spacious suites, each with its own distinctive character. Read our review.
- Southern Higashiyama: Jeugiya – Jeugiya is a magical traditional Japanese home in one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in Kyoto. With warm service and all the amenities you need, it’s a brilliant place to stay in Kyoto. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
See our recommended Kyoto Vacation Rentals page for more vacation rental info.
Peak Season: March-April and November
A FRIENDLY WARNING! Kyoto accommodation gets booked out months in advance for busy seasons like the late March to mid-April cherry blossom season and the November fall foliage season. Book well in advance for these times.
If you are having trouble finding places to stay in Kyoto, see my guide to Where To Stay If Kyoto Is Fully Booked which gives you several alternatives for accommodation.
You can check current Kyoto hotel availability during March, April and November on Agoda.com and Booking.com.
Visiting Tokyo or Osaka?
If you’re visiting Tokyo and/or Osaka as well as Kyoto, be sure to check out my Where To Stay In Tokyo and Where To Stay In Osaka pages on InsideKyoto.com’s companion websites, TrulyTokyo.com and InsideOsaka.com.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
