Kansai
Kyoto
Temples, tea houses and cedar hills. Slow mornings and a city that rewards walking without a plan.
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Stay
Where to Stay in Kyoto
Traditional ryokan, machiya townhouses and the districts worth paying more for.
Kyoto is the one city where the type of accommodation changes the trip. A night in a ryokan or a machiya is an experience in itself rather than somewhere to sleep between temples.
It is also the hardest city in Japan to book late. In spring and autumn, accommodation should be the first thing you reserve.
Explore Kyoto hotels
Commercial link. Editorial recommendations above are independent of any booking partner.
Areas
Best areas to stay in Kyoto
- Central / Karasuma & Shijō
- The practical base — subway, buses, Nishiki Market and most restaurants within walking distance.
- Higashiyama
- Closest to the early-morning temple walks and quietest after dark.
- Near Kyoto Station
- Best for day trips to Nara and Osaka, and for arrivals with luggage.
- Arashiyama
- Beautiful and remote. Lovely for a night, inconvenient for a stay.
Types of stay
What to book
- Ryokan
- Tatami rooms, futon bedding, communal or private baths, and usually a multi-course dinner. Fixed check-in and dining times.
- Machiya townhouses
- Restored wooden houses rented whole. Excellent for families and longer stays.
- City hotels
- Straightforward and central, and the sensible choice for most of your nights.
Before you book
Worth knowing
- One ryokan night mid-trip is usually better than a whole stay — the experience is intense and the logistics are rigid.
- Check the last bus or train times if you stay outside the centre; Kyoto's evening transport thins out early.
- Autumn and cherry blossom dates sell out many months ahead.
Keep exploring
More on Kyoto
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