An expert list of the best accommodation in Kyoto based on user reviews
A summer sunset along the river in central Kyoto. Image Copyright: @Ollie_Ronin
Introduction
Good news! This is not a generic blog article with a top ten list, instead of giving you some subjective opinion, full of sponsored content and Google ads, this article intends to be something more useful. So what's a good objective measurement for finding the best accommodation in Kyoto? Customer reviews on Google Maps ;)
There is no shortage of accommodation options in Kyoto - hotels, hostels, guesthouses, ryokans - all offering something different and at different prices.
This list includes all hotel categories and all budgets, the only filter I've personally applied is the exclusion of inconvenient locations, so the places on this list are all located around the central area, close to popular attractions, and within walking distance to train stations. Other attractive areas such as Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and the Golden Temple are well worth visiting but they have been excluded from this list because their locations are less convenient compared to the central Kyoto, Kiyamachi, Gion, and the Higashiyama district.
Our listing for each place has a summary including the:
Description
Review Score
Average Price
Pro's & Con's
Type of Traveller
Location
The List
(Sorted by price)
1. The Millennials Kyoto
Perfect location. Free beer. Your own movie projector. Sociable and comfy common areas. Work and study spaces. High-tech and modern features. Rentalable polaroid cameras. What more could you ask for?! The Millennials Kyoto is truly a unique and amazing capsule hotel and a shining example of how extraordinary Japanese hospitality can be. The design and intentions go above and beyond in every way, while still maintaining a nice and humble price.
Average Price: $30 - $60 per night
Review Score: 4.6 ★ (800+ reviews)
Pros: Affordable, high-tech, sociable
Cons: Shared facilities may be inconvenient for some
Best for: Budget travellers, backpackers, solo travellers
Location: Near Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley, and the Kamogawa river, with easy access to all the popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Bookings.com, check availability now!
2. The Piece Hostel - Sanjo & Kyoto Station
These two hostels are both ranked in the top ten for Google reviews, one is located at Kyoto Station, and the other is located near Sanjo Station. Both are convenient locations, although Sanjo is better in terms of walking distance to attractions. Capsule-style dorms and private rooms are available, with shared facilities, and free breakfast.
Price Range: $30 - $100 per night
Review Score: Kyoto Station - 4.7 ★ (1000+ reviews)
Review Score: Sanjo Station - 4.7 ★ (1300+ reviews)
Pros: Affordable, modern design, friendly staff
Cons: Shared facilities may be inconvenient for some
Best For: Budget travellers, backpackers, solo travellers
Location For Kyoto Station: Easy train access to all popular attractions and the Shinkansen.
Location For Sanjo Station: Near Nishiki Market, the Kiyamachi nightlife district, and the Gion district, along with easy access to popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
3. The Tsukimi Capsule Hotel
The Tsukimi Hotel is an artistically designed capsule hotel with modern and stylish architecture. It's located perfectly in the Higashiyama district within walking distance to Gion, Kiyomizudera, and the Yasaka Shrine.
Average Price: $40 - $80 per night
Review Score: 4.8 ★ (250+ reviews)
Pros: Modern artistic architecture, private capsule rooms, close to Kiyomizudera Temple
Cons: Shared facilities
Best for: Solo travellers seeking a modern Japanese-style experience
Location: Near Kiyomizudera Temple, Gion, and the Yasaka Shrine, with easy access to popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
4. The Sakura Cross Hotel - Kiyomizudera
This affordable hotel offers modern Japanese-style rooms in an amazing location for a very reasonable price. Its popularity and positive reviews are mainly due to its low price and prime location - perfect for walking to Kiyomizudera Temple or exploring the geisha streets in Gion.
Average Price: $80 - $150 per night
Review Score: 4.9 ★ (1100+ reviews)
Pros: Japanese-style rooms, beautiful garden views, close to Kiyomizudera Temple
Cons: Value-based price point means limited amenities
Best for: Couples & travellers seeking a modern Japanese-style experience
Location: Near Kiyomizudera Temple, Gion, and the Kamogawa river, with easy access to popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
5. Kyoto Four Sisters Residence
This apartment hotel offers modern Japanese-style apartments ideal for families or longer-term stays. The modern apartments are stylish and fully equipped making it easy to feel like you're living in Kyoto rather than just visiting.
Average Price: $150 - $200 per night
Review Score: 4.8 ★ (200+ reviews)
Pros: Modern facilities, fully equipped apartment, close to Nijo Castle
Cons: 20 minutes of walking to other popular attractions
Best for: Couples & families seeking a complete and modern apartment
Location: Near Nijo Castle, a short taxi required for other popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
6. The Celestine Gion
The Celestine Hotel is located in the beautiful Higashiyama district and has all the expected amenities of a 4-star hotel. The design has a noticeable Asian vibe along with a modern aesthetic.
Average Price: $250 - $600 per night
Review Score: 4.5 ★ (800+ reviews)
Pros: Traditional and modern experience, incredible location
Cons: Pricey, the Asian style is not desirable for some
Best for: Travellers not concerned about price, seeking a modern Asian experience with an amazing location
Location: In Higashiyama, within walking distance to the Geisha streets of Gion, Kiyomizudera, and the Yasaka Shrine, plus easy access to popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
7. The Mimaru Apartment Hotel Sanjo
This classy apartment hotel offers luxurious modern Japanese-style apartments, ideal for families or couples wanting extra space. The modern apartments are stylish and fully equipped, offering a charming way to experience life in the city. The glowing reviews suggest this might be the most popular apartment hotel in Kyoto.
Average Price: $300 - $500 per night
Review Score: 4.8 ★ (400+ reviews)
Pros: Luxurious modern facilities
Cons: Pricey, a taxi required for other attractions
Best for: Couples & families seeking a luxurious modern apartment
Location: Near Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market, a short taxi required for other popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
8. The Hiiragiya Hotel
The Hiiragiya Hotel is a traditional Japanese boutique hotel in a nice and convenient location. This type of ryokan is very popular for travellers who are seeking the traditional cultural experience, it's particularly popular with Japanese travellers and adds an element of history to sightseeing in Kyoto.
Average Price: $300 - $500 per night
Review Score: 4.7 ★ (300+ reviews)
Pros: Traditional Japanese experience
Cons: Pricey, the traditional food is not well suited for some foreign visitors
Best for: Travellers not concerned about price and seeking a traditional Japanese experience
Location: Near Sanjo Station and the Nishiki Market, within walking distance to other popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
9. Shiraume Ryokan
A beautiful traditional ryokan offering Japanese-style rooms, with an incredible location along the river in a historically preserved street in Gion. This location is truly unique and special, right along a famous canal lined with cherry trees and old Japanese restaurants.
Average Price: $400 - $500 per night
Review Score: 4.8 ★ (150+ reviews)
Pros: Traditional Japanese experience, incredible location
Cons: Pricey, the traditional style is not desirable for some
Best for: Travellers not concerned about price, seeking a traditional Japanese experience, with the absolute best location
Location: Along the canal in Gion, walking distance to Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizudera, and the Nishiki Market, plus easy access to popular attractions
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
10. Kyokoyado Muromachi Yutone
A classy traditional ryokan offering Japanese-style rooms with cypress wood baths. This ancient townhouse is one of the highest-rated ryokans in Kyoto.
Average Price: $400 - $600 per night
Review Score: 4.8 ★ (100+ reviews)
Pros: Traditional Japanese experience
Cons: Pricey, the traditional food is not well suited for many foreign visitors
Best for: Travellers not concerned about price and seeking a traditional Japanese experience
Location: Between Nishiki Market and Kyoto Station, within walking distance for other popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
11. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
The 5-star Ritz-Carlton offers stunning rooms with lovely views over the Kamogawa river. The hotel blends Western luxury with Japanese style and modern design. The Ritz-Carlton is famous for its high standards and has a loyal fanbase for good reason.
Average Price: $2000 per night
Review Score: 4.6 ★ (2100+ reviews)
Pros: Luxurious modern hotel, peaceful location on the river
Cons: Pricey, taxi required for popular attractions
Best for: Travellers not concerned about price, seeking a modern luxury hotel
Location: In Higashiyama, within walking distance to the Geisha streets of Gion, Kiyomizudera, and the Yasaka Shrine, plus easy access to popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
12. The Park Hyatt Kyoto
The Park Hyatt is possibly the most unique luxury hotel in Kyoto. Construction took 3 years to complete and was finally completed in 2019. The high attention to detail was a mandatory requirement due to the location - perfectly situated among the historically preserved streets in Higashiyama. The result is a 5-star luxury hotel with incredible views, stunning design, and the ultimate blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design, sophisticated technology, and Michelin-star restaurants.
Average Price: $2500 per night
Review Score: 4.5 ★ (400+ reviews)
Pros: Unbeatable design, amazing location, Michelin-star restaurants
Cons: Pricey
Best for: Travellers seeking the best luxury hotel in Kyoto
Location: In Higashiyama within walking distance to the Geisha streets of Gion, Kiyomizudera, and Kodai-ji Temple, plus easy access to popular attractions.
Lowest prices with Booking.com, check availability now!
Summary
So there you have it! The top-rated accommodation in Kyoto based on Google reviews. This list will be updated every year to reflect any changes. It's been interesting to see the average review score change this year, most notably, four of these hotels had a small increase in their review ratings. Personally, after experiencing the Park Hyatt in Niseko, the new Park Hyatt in Higashiyama is at the top of my list. This is followed closely by the Millennials Kyoto as a great way to make friends and meet other travellers, and the rentable Polaroid cameras!
