Must-see hotels in Kyoto

  • Tawaraya

    Downtown Kyoto

    Operating for more than three centuries, Tawaraya is one of the finest places to stay in Japan. From the decor to the service to the food, everything is…

  • Hiiragiya Ryokan

    Downtown Kyoto

    This elegant ryokan has long been favoured by celebrities from around the world. Facilities and services are excellent and the location is hard to beat…

  • Hoshinoya Kyoto

    Arashiyama & Sagano

    Sitting in a secluded area on the south bank of the Hozu-gawa in Arashiyama (upstream from the main sightseeing district), this modern take on the classic…

  • Westin Miyako Kyoto

    Northern Higashiyama

    Overlooking the Higashiyama sightseeing district (meaning it’s one of the best locations for sightseeing in Kyoto), this grande dame of Kyoto hotels…

  • Four Seasons

    Southern Higashiyama

    Extravagant and contemporary yet restrained and traditional, Four Seasons is an impressive new luxury hotel in the Higashiyama sightseeing district. The…

  • Hyatt Regency Kyoto

    Southern Higashiyama

    Arguably one of Kyoto's best hotels, the Hyatt Regency sits at the southern end of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district. Elegant and contemporary…

  • Hotel Anteroom

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    If you're looking for traditional Japanese decor, Anteroom is not for you. This art-and-design hotel is as contemporary as it gets from its bright lobby…

  • Shiraume Ryokan

    Southern Higashiyama

    Looking out over the Shirakawa Canal in Shimbashi, a lovely street in Gion, this ryokan offers excellent location, atmosphere and service. The decor is…

  • Lower East 9 Hostel

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    LE9 is a design-savvy hostel in a quiet spot south of Kyoto Station. Dorms come with thoughtful details, while the private twin rooms are a little pricey…

  • Seikōrō

    Southern Higashiyama

    The Seikōrō is a classic ryokan with a grandly decorated and homey lobby. It’s spacious, with excellent, comfortable rooms, attentive service and a fairly…

  • Hotel Granvia Kyoto

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    Imagine being able to step out of bed and straight into the shinkansen (bullet train). This is almost possible when you stay at the Hotel Granvia, which…

  • Mosaic Machiya Hostel

    Northwest Kyoto

    As the name suggests, this intimate hostel is set in a restored machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse) on an atmospheric street in the old geisha…

  • Japaning Hotel Liv Ranrokaku Kyoto

    Arashiyama & Sagano

    It's not easy to find accommodation with a great location and spacious rooms for anything less than top-dollar in Arashiyama, so thankfully there is this…

  • Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto

    Downtown Kyoto

    Located on Sanjō-dōri, a stone's throw from the river, the Royal Park has a super-convenient location, with lots of shops and restaurants within easy…

  • Suiran

    Arashiyama & Sagano

    The newest luxury hotel in Arashiyama, Suiran is located in a prized riverside spot that offers complete privacy yet is within easy walking distance to…

  • Gion Hatanaka

    Southern Higashiyama

    Gion Hatanaka is a fine ryokan right in the heart of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district, less than a minute’s walk from Yasaka-jinja. Despite…

  • Old Kyoto

    Southern Higashiyama

    The Old Kyoto group manage three beautiful traditional Japanese houses that stand right on the edge of Gion and make for the perfect getaway for those…

  • Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

    Downtown Kyoto

    The Ritz-Carlton is an oasis of luxury that commands some of the best views of any hotel in the city – it's located on the banks of the Kamo-gawa and huge…

  • Mosaic Hostel

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    There's a lot to like about this well-run hostel close to Kyoto Station. Capsule-style dorms – a huge 30-bed, or eight-bed female only – come with…

  • Yoshikawa

    Downtown Kyoto

    Located in the heart of downtown, within easy walking distance of two subway stations and the entire dining and nightlife district, this superb ryokan has…

  • Sakura Terrace the Gallery

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    The station area might not be the most attractive side of the city but Sakura Terrace makes it feel more like you've arrived at a hip LA resort. There's…

  • Motonago

    Southern Higashiyama

    This ryokan may have the best location of any in the city and it hits all the right notes for one in this class: classic Japanese decor, friendly English…

  • Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo

    Downtown Kyoto

    Perfectly placed for shopping, dining, nightlife and transport, Hotel Resol is a smart-looking boutique hotel offering great value. Rooms are compact …

  • Noku Kyoto

    Imperial Palace & Around

    Noku (also known as Noku Roxy) is a stylish boutique hotel set over six floors within sight of the Imperial Palace Park and located next to Marutamachi…

  • Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo

    Northern Higashiyama

    Located just down the street from Nanzen-ji, this beautiful ryokan has a choice of traditional or modern rooms, all with private bathroom and TV. Some…

  • Book + Bed Hostel

    Southern Higashiyama

    With a cracking location and a 'novel' idea, this hostel is a unique option for those looking for budget accommodation in the heart of Gion. As expected,…

  • Kyoto Yoshimizu Inn

    Southern Higashiyama

    Perched at the base of the Higashiyama mountains at the top of Maruyama-kōen, Yoshimizu is surrounded by greenery and it’s like staying in the countryside…

  • Kyōmachiya Ryokan Sakura – Honganji

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    A relatively short walk from Kyoto Station, Sakura has a mix of spotless Japanese- and Western-style rooms as well as a variety of traveller-friendly…

  • Yumiya Komachi

    Southern Higashiyama

    In a hidden location a short walk from Gion, Yumiya Komachi is a delightful guesthouse run by friendly owner, Rico. The 100-year-old building is the…

  • Millennials

    Downtown Kyoto

    While you don't have to be a Millennial to stay here, it might help when it comes to the iPod-controlled 'rooms' at this modern take on a capsule hotel…

  • Hotel Kanra

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    An elegant, refined boutique hotel located not too far from Kyoto Station. Rooms have been designed with traditional machiya architecture in mind and…

  • Sakara Kyoto

    Southern Higashiyama

    This modern Japanese-style inn is conveniently located in a covered pedestrian shopping arcade just south of Sanjō-dōri, about 50m from Higashiyama…

  • Koto Inn

    Northern Higashiyama

    Conveniently located near the Higashiyama sightseeing district in a lovely canal setting, this immaculate vacation rental is good for families, couples…

  • Guesthouse Waraku-an

    Northern Higashiyama

    Convenient to the sights in Okazaki, this traditional house has Japanese-style tatami-mat rooms and a three-bed male and four-bed female dorm. The deluxe…

  • Grateful Guesthouse

    Imperial Palace & Around

    There are many things to be grateful for in this charming guesthouse: it's located in a quiet backstreet within walking distance to Imperial Palace Park…

  • Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjō

    Downtown Kyoto

    Just west of the downtown dining and shopping district, this smart, modern hotel offers reasonably comfortable rooms. The lobby has a lovely garden…

  • Roku Roku

    Northern Higashiyama

    A great choice for budget digs, this modern hostel is within walking distance of the Path of Philosophy and many main temples. Dorms are a little cramped…

  • Shunkō-in

    Northwest Kyoto

    This is a shukubō (temple lodging) at a subtemple in Myōshin-ji. It’s very comfortable, with wi-fi and free bicycle hire, and the main priest here speaks…

  • K’s House Kyoto

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    K’s House is a large guesthouse with both private and dorm rooms, which are simple but adequate. The rooftop terrace, patio and attached bar-restaurant…

  • Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

    Downtown Kyoto

    Roll out of bed and into a shopping spree – this smart hotel is conveniently located in the Teramachi covered arcade in Downtown Kyoto. Split between the…

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