Where to Stay in Kyoto: Our Favourite Hotels Across the City
- Last Updated On October 2, 2026
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We’ve visited Kyoto three times now, once on our first trip to Japan back in 2023, and twice more while travelling around Japan for 10 months. That’s just how much we love it!
We’ve learnt the hard way that choosing where to stay in Kyoto can have a big impact on your trip, and that knowing how you want to spend your time in Kyoto has a huge bearing on where you base yourself.Â
For us, we prefer to be as close as we can to the important transport links, even if that means being further away from the top attractions. That way we can easily reach everything we could possibly want to see, as easily as possible. Our guide on where to stay in Tokyo covers this in more detail and the same rules apply here.
In this guide we’ll shed some light on where to stay in Kyoto as well as our experience visiting Japan’s ancient capital. We’ll share our favourite hotels across the city, plus why staying directly in Gion might not actually be the best way to see it.Â
In a Rush? Here Are Our Favourite Hotels in Kyoto
Where to Stay in Kyoto – Our Experience
We absolutely fell in love with Kyoto on our first visit. It was our first time seeing the ancient, historic side of Japan that we’d had our hearts set on, and to top it all off, we had cherry blossoms blooming all around us.
Since then, we’ve spent three weeks in Kyoto, and our love for the city has only grown. We’ve explored more temples, enjoyed more local cuisine, and put together a 3-day Kyoto itinerary covering everything we’d recommend seeing while you’re here.
One thing we’ve learnt through all of that time is that you don’t actually need to stay deep inside the Gion district to make the most of it. The old wooden streets at the heart of Gion are stunning, but they’re also a pain to get to and from: bus routes aren’t direct, train access is limited, and walking in and out during the day can be hectic with crowds. We’ve never booked a hotel right in the thick of it for exactly that reason.
What’s worked far better for us is staying just close enough to walk into Gion for sunrise, then based somewhere more central for the rest of the day. You get the best of the district without the daily hassle of basing yourself there, which is exactly the approach behind a few of our favourite hotels below.
Our Favourite Hotels in Kyoto
Hotel M’s East Shijo Karasuma - Best for Easy Transport Links
This was the first place we stayed in Kyoto back in 2023 and looking back, we made the right choice.
Hotel M’s East Shijo Karasuma branch is perfectly located near central Kyoto, making it extremely easy to get around the city. We walked around the main shopping streets, visited Nishiki Market and caught the bus just around the corner to the Gion district. It made the whole trip stress-free knowing we didn’t have to go far to access the best parts of the city.Â
The rooms were a bit small and cramped, but since travelling Japan for 10 months we’ve come to accept that that’s just the way things are.  It’s the kind of place that serves a purpose without many thrills, although we were given robes for the room, even if they were made for people much smaller than us!
If you’re carrying a large suitcase around Japan, this hotel is located near Karasuma Station, meaning you won’t have to drag your gear far!
Book Here:  Hotel M’s East Shijo Karasuma
Apartment Hotel 11 Yasaka - Best for Beating the Gion Crowds
If exploring the Gion district without the crowds is high on your list for your visit (it should be), then this is the place to stay. From all of our trips to Kyoto, the biggest struggle has been getting to the Gion district for sunrise in order to beat the crowds.Â
Staying at Apartment Hotel 11 Yasaka means you can simply roll out of bed and have the ancient heart of the city on your doorstep. We walked 40 minutes across Kyoto at the crack of dawn to achieve this. It really can’t be overstated how beneficial it can be staying in the Gion district!
It’s the ideal place for couples and families, with larger rooms and apartment-style amenities that can make your trip that little bit more comfortable. It’s a short walk to some of the top attractions in the city and sits high on our list for where we’ll stay when we’re next in Kyoto.Â
Book Here: Apartment Hotel 11 Yasaka
Saju Kyoto - Best Ryokan in Central Kyoto
If you’re looking for that authentic ryokan experience but want to be located in the center of Kyoto, then Saju Kyoto is the place to book. It has all the convenience of being near the best public transport links whilst still having that traditional Japanese vibe.Â
We haven’t stayed at this exact property, but we did spend a night in a ryokan near Mt. Fuji and can vouch for the experience itself. During the day the room is just a simple table and chairs, no bed in sight, then in the evening it’s transformed into sleep mode with futons laid out. It’s closer to a childhood sleepover than a hotel stay, even if in reality it just means sleeping on the floor.
If that sounds like your kind of thing, Saju Kyoto’s reviews and central location make it one of the better options for trying it without straying from the city centre.
Book Here: Saju Kyoto
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei - Best Splurge Pick
We always like to dream big, and this place is Kyoto hotel goals. We’re talking huge well-decorated suites, private balcony onsen and views of the Kamo River. All with the price tag that goes along with it. For now, it’s the kind of place we’d only book for a special occasion.Â
Sora Niwa Terrace gives the best of both worlds location-wise. It sits nicely near the eastern end of the main shopping street that runs through central Kyoto, putting it closer to the Gion district than our other central locations. That way, the best attractions are only a short walk whichever way you go. We think we would need to be seriously tempted away from the room though.Â
Book Here: Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei
Gion Misen - Best Ryokan Without the Futon
Gion Misen is one we’ve got our eye on rather than one we’ve stayed at ourselves, but it’s worth including for anyone wanting that ryokan feel without committing to a futon on the floor. Location-wise it sits in a similar sweet spot to Sora Niwa Terrace, close to the central shopping streets with easy reach of Gion, so you’re not choosing between convenience and atmosphere.
What drew us to it is the mix of traditional touches, think tatami flooring and ryokan-style hospitality, with modern comforts like proper beds rather than futons, plus breakfast included. It’s a solid middle ground for anyone who wants Japanese character without going full traditional.
A couple of friends have booked a stay there later this year, so we’ll update this section with proper firsthand detail once they’re back.
Book Here: Gion Misen
Iwatoyama Hostel - Best Backpacker Option
When we’re travelling slowly we like to keep costs down by staying in cheap accommodation and hostels when we can. Iwatoyama Hostel was the perfect place for us to spend 17 days in Kyoto.Â
Hostel life in Japan is much more chill than what you might be used to in Southeast Asia and Europe. So whilst there isn’t particularly a social side to this hostel, it’s the perfect place for a few days chilling in the city. We stayed in a private room with a shared bathroom (super common in Japan), and had access to basic kitchen facilities so we could warm up our favourite konbini meals.Â
It’s a short walk to central Kyoto for easy access to the main attractions. On many occasions we also enjoyed walking all the way down to Kyoto Station, picking a new route each time to explore Kyoto’s side streets.Â
Book Here: Iwatoyama Hostel
Things to Know Before Visiting Kyoto
Get a Suica Card
We can’t imagine a life in Japan without a Suica Card. It becomes the lifeblood of getting around any city in Japan. It makes navigating the trains and buses in Kyoto effortless. We’ve written a full guide on how to set up a Suica card.
Beat the Crowds
Make sure to set your alarm early in Kyoto, the crowds can get overwhelming and the best way to see the top attractions is to be the first one there. Top attractions like Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari get crazy busy at midday.Â
Get an eSIM
Staying connected is essential in Kyoto. Google Maps is your best friend and we find it works best when you have a good connection (offline maps have failed us in the past). You’ll also find Google Translate a must have for translating menus and communicating with staff. We’ve written a full guide on the best SIM card for Japan.Â
Make Sure You Have Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is one thing we never travel without. While Japan is an incredibly safe country, unexpected things like illness, injuries or cancelled flights can quickly turn into expensive problems. We’ve compared the best options in our guide to the best travel insurance for backpackers.
Bring Cash
A lot of temples in Kyoto charge a small fee and some only accept cash. Make sure to keep some cash with you and keep the ticket as a souvenir! We’ve noticed that every temple puts effort into their tickets, making them a nice keepsake.Â
Be Respectful
Follow the crowd and read the signs. A lot of temples, especially in the interiors, will have no entry signs to certain areas. Stick to them. We’ve seen plenty of tourists stepping over barriers and giving travellers a bad name. Be respectful. Â
FAQs About Where to Stay in Kyoto
What’s the best area to stay in Kyoto?
It depends on what matters most to your trip. If easy access to transport links is your priority, central areas like Shijo Karasuma put you close to buses, trains, and the main shopping streets. If you want to beat the crowds at sunrise in Gion, staying within walking distance of the district itself is worth the trade-off, even if it means being a bit further from the station.
Is it better to stay in Gion or central Kyoto?
Staying in Gion makes it far easier to see the district at sunrise before the crowds arrive, which is honestly one of the best ways to experience it. Staying more centrally, closer to transport links, makes it easier to reach the rest of the city without doubling back. Neither is wrong, it comes down to whether you'd rather prioritise Gion specifically or keep your options open across Kyoto.
Should I stay in a ryokan in Kyoto?
If you haven't tried a ryokan before, Kyoto is a good place to do it. Expect rooms that convert from a simple sitting area by day to a futon bed at night. It's a genuinely different experience from a standard hotel stay and worth building into your trip at least once, even if you mix it with more conventional accommodation for the rest of your time in the city.
Do I need a Suica card for getting around Kyoto?
Yes, a Suica card makes getting around Kyoto far easier, covering buses and trains without having to buy individual tickets each time. We'd consider it essential kit for navigating the city, whichever area you end up staying in.
Is Kyoto a good city for budget travellers?
Yes, Kyoto works well on a budget if you pick the right accommodation. Hostels like Iwatoyama offer private rooms with shared bathrooms and basic kitchen facilities at a fraction of the cost of a hotel, while still being a short walk from central Kyoto's main attractions.
What should I bring when visiting Kyoto’s temples?
Bring cash. Many temples charge a small entry fee and some don't accept cards, so it's worth carrying enough cash for ticket entry wherever you're headed that day.
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Hi! We’re Mark & Sarah.
We’ve been travelling the world together for the past 4 years. Exploring destinations such as Europe, South America, South East Asia, Japan and Australia. Now we’re sharing everything we’ve learned on our travels, to help you get out there and have your own adventures!
