An Expert Guide On Where To Stay In Kyoto
- Ollie Toth
- Aug 21, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 26
An overview of where to stay based on expert knowledge of Kyoto
All images are provided by Ollie Ronin, unless otherwise stated, and are protected under copyright law.
Introduction
Kyoto is known for being the soul of Japan with its vibrant history, hundreds of ancient temples, and thousands of shrines. But what are the best locations for staying in Kyoto? How much time should you spend? And what time of year should you visit?
Figuring all this out can be time-consuming, so this guide aims to provide you with an efficient overview of where to stay in Kyoto, how many days to plan for, and what to expect for each season.
Contents
FAQ
The Best Locations For Staying In Kyoto
The best locations for staying in Kyoto come down to 5 main areas:
All of these locations offer something unique. They all have their own atmosphere and noteworthy highlights. Here's a simplified summary:
─ Downtown is best for convenience.
─ Gion is best for a combination of convenience and traditional vibes.
─ Higashiyama is best for a historical experience.
─ Arashiyama is best for nature lovers.
─ Kyoto Station is best for short stays or easy travelling.
The best location is to some extent a little subjective, so we'll answer this question with an emphasis on the most convenient location. In that context, the best and most convenient locations for staying in Kyoto are Downtown and Gion - ideally close to the Kamogawa (Kamo River).
1. Downtown & Gion
Pontocho Alley in downtown Kyoto
Downtown and Gion are both tied for first place, they are right next to each other, separated by the Kamo River (Kamogawa). Downtown is to the west of the Kamogawa and Gion is to the east. These two areas provide the easiest access to everything you could ever want from your trip, such as:
Lively streets and markets
Multiple train stations
Famous temples
Unique bars and restaurants
All of which are within a 5-15 minute walk, including:
The Nishiki Market
Pontocho Alley
The Kamogawa (Kamo River)
The Geisha District (Gion)
The historically preserved streets of Higashiyama
Famous temples such as Chion-in, Kodaiji, and Kiyomizudera (Higashiyama)
Train stations connecting you to Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and even Osaka
How to choose between downtown and Gion? Location wise, they are nearly the same in terms of convenience, but downtown is slightly more convenient, and less costly as there are more hotels. In contrast, Gion will provide you with a more traditional atmosphere, along with slightly higher prices.
Looking for hotels in Gion & Downtown?
2. Higashiyama
Early morning in Higashiyama
The next best area is Higashiyama, it's right next to Gion, but a bit further from downtown. Higashiyama is known for its historically preserved streets, traditional architecture, and a beautiful collection of famous temples including Kiyomizudera.
Although this area becomes very busy during the day, at night it takes on a whole different atmosphere - the traditional cobbled streets become quiet and peaceful, providing a charming and refreshing break from a full day of sightseeing.
Higashiyama contains some of the finest hotels in Kyoto, offering everything from high-end luxury accommodation to outstanding mid-range and budget options.
Looking for hotels in Higashiyama?
Interested in sightseeing?
3. Arashiyama
The Katsura River during autumn
Arashiyama, famous for its bamboo forest, ancient temples, and beautiful autumn leaves, is the ideal location if you want to feel closer to nature. It's on the western edge of Kyoto, only a 15-minute train ride from Kyoto Station.
It requires some extra travel if you want to explore other parts of the city, but it makes up for this with its own unique and immersive atmosphere. Popular attractions within walking distance of Arashiyama include:
─ The Bamboo Forest
─ Famous temples including Tenryu-ji and Jojakko-ji
─ The Monkey Park
─ The Hozugawa River
Although it gets very busy during the day, the evenings are amazingly calm and peaceful. Most of the accommodation in Arashiyama has a strong emphasis on luxury experiences, but there's also a lovely backpacking hostel and a really nice mid-range onsen hotel.
Looking for hotels in Arashiyama?
Interested in sightseeing?
4. Kyoto Station
Image source: Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station will provide the most convenient access for arrivals, departures, and day trips to Osaka and Nara. An important point, however, is to ensure you select a property that's north of the station, not south. South of Kyoto Station is significantly more inconvenient, all the nice restaurants, bars, buses, and attractions are on the opposite side, and travelling from one side to the other is a surprisingly laborious task.
All the other locations we've mentioned on this list require an additional train or taxi once you arrive at Kyoto Station, so booking accommodation here can be super nice if you're tired from travelling and have a lot of luggage.
Compared to the other locations we've mentioned, there are no standout attractions within walking distance of Kyoto Station, but that's not a problem as you can easily catch a 5-15 minute train to most areas, including:
─ Arashiyama
─ Fushimi Inari
─ Downtown
─ Gion and Higashiyama (Kiyomizudera)
─ Day trips to Osaka or Nara
Another perk of staying around Kyoto Station is the price of accommodation, you might find the rates to be slightly lower than the other areas we've mentioned.
Looking for hotels around Kyoto Station?
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philosopher's Path
What about other areas in Kyoto?
There are loads of accommodation options all over Kyoto, but the areas we've listed here are undoubtedly the best after analysing a variety of factors that will have the largest impact on your trip. However, you can still have an awesome trip by staying in different locations, you might find lower prices too, but the locations we've listed serve as a valuable guide in terms of convenience and travel time. One example is Fushimi Inari, there are a couple of nice places but it's lacking in terms of accommodation options. Another example is the Philosopher's Path, it's an amazing area, but only ideal during the cherry blossom season as it's a bit far from the trains and might require regular taxi fares.
How long should I stay in Kyoto?
The most common complaint among travellers who visit Kyoto is "I wish I had planned for more days here". Generally speaking, most people agree you need a minimum of 3 full days to experience the ancient capital of Japan. Personally, I would say you need at least 4, and preferably 5, but it really depends on your interests and personal preferences. Just keep in mind you can easily do day trips to both Osaka and Nara from Kyoto, so if you spend 5 days in Kyoto then you could break it up with day trips without having to carry your luggage to a different city. But then again, some people prefer variety and want to experience Osaka, so it really depends on what you like and who you're travelling with.
Is it expensive to stay in Kyoto?
Accommodation in Kyoto is, on average, cheaper than Tokyo, and sometimes even Osaka. Depending on the time of year, you can find hotels and hostels up to 40% cheaper than in Tokyo, and 20% cheaper than Osaka. In comparison to other countries, accommodation in Japan is typically cheaper in price and higher in quality, however, the price difference during peak seasons can be significant, with up to a 200% increase in hotel rates.
Are there cool backpacking hostels in Kyoto?
Both Kyoto and Tokyo have some of the coolest hostels in the world, and some of the best prices. Many of them have boutique styles and unique features. We created this list based on our expert knowledge and the average customer review score.
Where are the best luxury hotels in Kyoto?
Kyoto has a unique variety of luxury accommodation, including traditional ryokans, boutique hotels, and stunning 5-star properties. You'll also find the customer service to be unique compared to any other country, something which Japan is famous for. After having personally stayed at and previously worked for luxury hotels, I created this list based on thousands of customer reviews and my personal expertise to ensure you won't be disappointed.
Are there onsen hotels in Kyoto?
Kyoto is not well-known for its onsen hotels due to its geography, but the demand in recent years has led to a number of hotels opening up with this feature in mind. Some of them focus on luxury, but others are more humble and offer excellent value. Unfortunately, It's hard to search for onsen-specific hotels on booking websites, and also hard to see if the onsen water comes from a natural hot spring. So we searched through all the options and came up with a comprehensive list to save you time.
Should you stay at a ryokan in Kyoto?
Ryokans are a type of Japanese accommodation which usually emphasise a more cultural experience. They typically include tatami mats, shoji screen doors, communal baths or onsen, and serve traditional Japanese cuisine. The owner is also known to share the customer facing duties and sometimes interact with guests. They are a popular choice for travellers who are seeking out the historical and traditional aspects of Japan. To help you decide if you should choose a ryokan over a more modern hotel, we compiled a list of ryokans in Kyoto to suit all budgets.
