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Selecting the place to remain in Kyoto might be complicated. Whereas the town isn’t as giant as Tokyo, it’s nonetheless unfold out with numerous areas from the fashionable downtown to conventional Gion.
The appropriate location could make your expertise rather more pleasurable. You’ll spend much less time on transport and extra time exploring the historic streets. It additionally helps to be near main sights to get an early begin earlier than the crowds arrive.
We’ve spent over three months in Kyoto on a number of journeys and have personally stayed in all of the motels and ryokans I like to recommend beneath. Every affords one thing completely different so I’ll enable you to determine which is best for you.
This put up covers the very best areas to remain in Kyoto, prime tips on Kyoto lodging, and critiques of the very best Kyoto motels and ryokans.
On the finish, you’ll discover a map that includes all the very best locations to remain in Kyoto.
Contents
Greatest Areas to Keep in Kyoto
In case you are questioning the place to remain in Kyoto for first-time guests, I like to recommend one among these 4 areas.
For extra info on what to do in every space, see my detailed information to the finest issues to do in Kyoto.
Notice that I haven’t included Arashiyama on this listing. Whereas I feel it’s a must-visit, it’s too removed from the remainder of the town as a base for first-time guests.
1) Gion and Southern Higashiyama
Southern Higashiyama is crucial sightseeing space in Kyoto and is my prime decide for the very best neighbourhood to remain in Kyoto.
It’s situated between the Higashiyama (Jap Mountains) and the Kamo-gawa river.
We virtually at all times keep right here in Kyoto as we love the standard really feel with historic streets and quite a few temples to discover.
It’s one of many busiest components of the town (though you possibly can nonetheless discover quiet spots). Staying right here is a bonus as you possibly can simply stand up early for a stroll down common streets like Ninenzaka or a go to to Kiyomizu-Dera temple.
You’ll additionally discover loads of eating places and small retailers within the space.
Transport hyperlinks aren’t nearly as good as downtown, however we stroll virtually in all places.
There are additionally loads of buses (however they get crowded), and also you aren’t removed from the Keihan practice line (Gion-shijo and Kiyomizu-gojo stations), which is beneficial for visiting Fushimi Inari (a must-see shrine that’s finest early or after darkish).
Southern Higashiyama consists of the geisha district Gion, the place you possibly can nonetheless often spot geisha in extravagant outfits on the best way to night engagements.
In spring and autumn, the geisha dances are an exquisite approach to admire these artists at work.
If you wish to expertise traditional Kyoto, that is the realm to remain.
2) Downtown Kyoto
The Kyoto downtown space is throughout the river from Southern Higashiyama. We at all times stroll between the 2—it takes about quarter-hour, relying on the place you keep.
That is the extra trendy a part of the town and a hub for buying. It has wonderful malls like Takashimaya and the foodie Nishiki Market. You’ll discover main chains and smaller shops promoting the whole lot from tea to ceramics.
There are additionally loads of eating places.
Transport hyperlinks are good right here with Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station a serious hub.
In case your focus is buying otherwise you need to keep someplace central, Downtown Kyoto is a handy location.
3) Kyoto Station
Though the Kyoto Station space shouldn’t be probably the most interesting place to remain, it’s handy should you’ll solely be within the metropolis for a couple of nights or shall be making many day journeys from Kyoto.
Like downtown, it’s a extra trendy space with loads of retailers and eating places.
There aren’t any main sights close by, although, so that you’ll must take transport across the metropolis.
The place to Keep close to Kyoto Station: Resort Granvia Kyoto is hooked up to the station, so it couldn’t be extra handy.
4) Northern Higashiyama
Northern Higashiyama is the realm north of Gion and Southern Higashiyama.
It’s a extra conventional a part of the town and consists of many main sights like the attractive Thinker’s Path and the various Kyoto temples alongside it, from Nanzenji to Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion).
Even additional north are many quiet temples in leafy areas—we beloved escaping the crowds right here throughout Kyoto’s cherry blossom season.
The benefit of staying in Northern Higashiyama is the various temples to discover and with the ability to get to them early earlier than the crowds arrive. It’s additionally a quieter, greener space than these above.
The disadvantages are fewer eating places (though there are some wonderful choices like Monk, our favorite restaurant in Kyoto.
Transport hyperlinks aren’t the very best and also you’ll probably must take the bus (or taxi). We stroll loads on this space (which could be very pleasurable).
There aren’t many motels within the space and lodging tends to be dearer.
Contemplate staying in Northern Higashiyama if you wish to expertise conventional Kyoto, go to a lot of temples, and maybe keep in a ryokan (conventional inn).
Issues to Know About Kyoto Lodging
- Kyoto is without doubt one of the costliest areas in Japan for lodging, so that you received’t get as a lot on your cash as elsewhere.
- Saturday nights are the costliest, so keep away from them should you can.
- Ebook far upfront, particularly for the cherry blossom (late March/early April) and autumn (late November) peak seasons. Costs will even be a lot increased then.
- Rooms are often small, so pack mild.
- If in case you have giant suitcases, take a taxi somewhat than making an attempt to suit on crowded metropolis buses. Have your resort deal with written down in Japanese, as most taxi drivers don’t communicate English (there’s an English-speaking taxi queue at Kyoto Station, however you will have an extended wait).
- Metropolis tax (200-1000 yen/ $1.50-$7) per particular person per night time, relying on the room fee) and sizzling spring tax (if relevant, 150 yen/ $1 pp pn) shall be charged on prime of your room fee.
- Verify-in (sometimes 3pm) and check-out (sometimes 11am) instances will not be often versatile, however motels mean you can retailer your baggage.
- We used Reserving.com to ebook all our motels and ryokans. Most locations provide free cancellation up to a couple days earlier than arrival, however examine once you ebook.
Learn our information to the place to remain in Japan for what to anticipate at various kinds of lodging, particularly ryokans.
Greatest Locations to Keep in Kyoto: Our Private Suggestions
We’ve got personally stayed in and advocate all these Kyoto motels.
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Resort (Downtown)
We beloved our keep at Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto, a trendy downtown Kyoto resort that opened in 2022.
It affords an excellent mixture of Western comforts and Japanese fashion, a lounge with free drinks, an onsen with a metropolis view, and a rooftop bar with foot baths (a spotlight!).
The one draw back is the small rooms, however that is typical in Japan.
Location
Sora Niwa Terrace is in a central location ideally suited for buying. It’s throughout the street from Takashimaya division retailer and a 7-minute stroll from Nishiki Market.
There are numerous different retailers and eating places inside minutes.
It’s very near the atmospheric Pontocho alley and Gion is a simple stroll throughout the river.
Whereas it’s not as near the temples as Resort The Celestine (see beneath), it’s doable to stroll to some. Yasaka Shrine, Kenninji, and Kodaij might be reached inside quarter-hour and Kiyomizu-dera is a 25-minute stroll.
Transport hyperlinks are good because it’s 200 metres from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (we bought to Arashiyama from right here) and 300 metres from Gion-Shijo Station simply throughout the river (the place you possibly can take the Keihan line to Fushimi Inari).
The resort is a 10-minute drive from Kyoto Station. It’s best to get a taxi right here or you possibly can take the bus (the practice/metro requires a switch).
The resort is situated on a busy road so there’s some site visitors noise. We have been on the seventh flooring, and it wasn’t too noisy (I requested a better flooring), and it was quiet at night time.
Notice that the resort reception is on the ninth flooring, so take the elevator up from the doorway. The roof terrace is above it and the rooms are beneath.
Rooms
Our double room was small however completely shaped. We favored the Japanese touches that you just don’t usually get in Western motels just like the tatami flooring and paper window screens.
The mattress was a double (fortunately not the smaller semi-double some Japanese resort rooms have) and we discovered it and the pillows (which might’t at all times be mentioned) very comfy.
The 19m2 room featured a settee (with a small desk), giant TV (with Netflix and different streaming apps), fridge, kettle, and a beautiful teapot.
Suitcases might be saved beneath the mattress, or there’s one floor sufficiently big for a carry-on-sized suitcase. There have been additionally two drawers and a wardrobe.
Yukata (robes), sandals, and little baggage are supplied to put on to the onsen.
Because the mattress was in opposition to the wall, there was just one bedside desk, however it included USB and energy sockets.
Our room had a view of the buying road, however some could face a wall.
The lavatory was Western fashion—one room with a walk-in bathe cubicle with a robust rain and handheld bathe. Whereas pretty small, there was loads of storage and hooks.
The natural toiletries smelled nice and have been supplied in giant bottles. The same old facilities (toothbrush, hairbrush, razor, mouthwash, and so forth.) have been additionally supplied in case you forgot one thing.
Amenities
Whereas Sora Niwa Terrace doesn’t have a restaurant or fitness center, it makes up for it with an outstanding onsen and rooftop bar.
The workers spoke good English and defined the whole lot on examine in.
Lounge
On the identical flooring as reception is a lounge space with free cold and warm self-service drink machines, together with tea, espresso, coke, Fanta, and glowing water.
There are additionally free popsicles and ice cream puffs, that are beautiful after an onsen.
Onsen
The onsen (sizzling spring baths) at Sora Niwa Terrace are a spotlight of the resort.
The 2 baths are on the identical flooring as reception and alternate every day between women and men.
The perfect is the Yasaka No Yu open-air onsen. It has loads of area and a implausible view of the Kamogawa river, Gion, temples, and mountains.
The onsens are open from 3pm – 1am and dawn to 10am. We often attempt to go at 3pm when it’s quieter (I had it to myself). In your TV it tells you the way busy the onsen are.
If in case you have tattoos, you’ll want to cowl them with tape, which they promote at reception.
See my information to Kinosaki Onsen should you want a primer on onsen etiquette (e.g. ensure you bathe earlier than use and enter the bathtub totally bare).
Rooftop Bar
After a calming onsen, we made our approach to the rooftop lounge (nonetheless carrying our yukata), a stunning area that’s for resort visitors solely.
The views of the river, metropolis and mountains are gorgeous and that is such a calming place to get pleasure from them with comfy chairs, a fireplace pit, and even higher—foot baths!
Critically, there isn’t a higher approach to finish a day sightseeing in Kyoto than sitting along with your ft in a sizzling bathtub, having fun with a drink and watching the town lights come on (you possibly can’t actually see the sundown, however golden hour is beautiful).
The resort even offers a free welcome drink in your first night time from 4-6.30pm (glowing wine, wine, beer or apple juice). Get there early for the foot baths.
From 7-10pm, it turns right into a bar, and it’s a must to order a drink to sit down up there.
Meals
There is no such thing as a room service or restaurant at Sora Niwa Terrace, however there are many eating places close by.
If you’d like breakfast, it’s a must to order a bento field (3000 yen/ $20) three days upfront and decide it up from the lounge.
It’s not vegetarian-friendly, so Simon went to Metropolis Bakery (a 5-minute stroll away, open 8am) to select us up pastries and occasional.
The Takashimaya meals corridor throughout the street additionally has loads of choices however doesn’t open till 10am.
Different
Within the basement, there’s a coin laundry, merchandising machine, microwaves, and smoking room.
An Different for Greater Rooms
If you’d like a much bigger resort room with a greater view (some with open-air non-public baths), take a look at the sister resort in the identical constructing, Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei.
This resort shares the onsen and rooftop bar.
Particulars
Sora Niwa Terrace is good if you would like a central resort with an onsen and cozy, fashionable rooms.
The rooms are small, however the rooftop bar is an excellent place to loosen up.
Verify availability and costs for Sora Niwa Terrace on Reserving.
Resort The Celestine Gion
Resort The Celestine is situated in Gion, my favorite space to remain in Kyoto.
This fashionable resort mixes Japanese components with Western comforts. It options a powerful high-ceilinged foyer overlooking an inside backyard, an onsen, and a tempura restaurant.
Location
Resort The Celestine is good for temple hopping. It’s situated in Gion, near among the hottest sights. We’ve got seen geisha close by a number of instances at night time.
Underrated Kenninji temple is throughout the street, you possibly can see Yasaka Pagoda from outdoors the resort, and it’s a simple stroll to all Southern Higashiyama’s temples and the well-known Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets (finest at dawn or at night time).
Regardless of being so central, The Celestine is on a quiet road and we heard no site visitors or different visitor noise from our room.
There are a good variety of eating places within the space (see my Kyoto vegetarian information for our favourites), plus the wonderful Mandaracha tea store.
Whilst you’ll need to stroll downtown for the massive shops and markets, there are many small retailers within the space (and loads of locations to lease a kimono).
Transport hyperlinks aren’t fairly nearly as good as in downtown Kyoto. Gion is usually reached by bus, however these are sometimes very crowded (don’t strive with baggage).
The resort runs a shuttle to Kyoto Station or a taxi takes 10-20 minutes (site visitors might be dangerous).
The closest stations are Kiyomizu-Gojo and Gion-Shijo, each an 8-minute stroll away and helpful for attending to Fushimi Inari.
To get to Arashiyama, we discovered it best to stroll 12 minutes throughout the river to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station.
Rooms
We stayed in a Superior Queen Room, which was a good measurement for Japan, though not enormous at round 30m2 (considerably bigger than Sora Niwa Terrace).
The deluxe rooms are larger, and the suites are enormous (and include a excessive price ticket).
Our room featured a cushty queen mattress with two bedside tables, a seating space with two chairs and a desk, a wardrobe, and a set of drawers (that have been full).
Large suitcases could be a problem to accommodate however there was one suitcase rack.
The decor is minimalist, and the room felt clear and trendy.
The open plan structure is barely uncommon, with the sink within the bed room divided by the bar space.
The bar is a cool characteristic—the whole lot is hidden away in a cabinet that opens up. There are mini spirits, beers and delicate drinks within the fridge, a pod espresso maker, and a kettle.
I beloved the attractive ceramic cups and teapot (supplied with Ippodo tea baggage)
Our view was of a stairwell so we saved the gauzy curtains closed (there are additionally blackout curtains).
The lavatory was Japanese fashion with three areas—the open plan sink, a bathroom room, and a room with a small bathtub and handheld bathe.
Yukatas and geta (sandals) are supplied. You may put on these to the onsen however not the foyer or restaurant.
Amenities
Lounge
From 1-6pm you possibly can get pleasure from free drinks and snacks in a small room that appears onto a slender inside backyard (taking advantage of the shortage of views). After 7pm it turns right into a bar.
Espresso, teas, juices, rice crackers, M&Ms, and Japanese sweets have been accessible.
Onsen
The 2 onsen (female and male) are fairly spacious and overlook a small backyard. They’re open from 3pm – 1am and from 6-10am.
Tempura Restaurant
A department of the favored tempura restaurant Endo is situated contained in the resort. It’s solely open for dinner, is pricey, and requires reserving properly upfront. We didn’t eat there.
Breakfast
The breakfast buffet wasn’t included in our room fee, however we paid the 3300 yen/ $22 for it.
We have been pleasantly shocked to seek out a lot for vegetarians to eat. The Japanese meals is the spotlight—sweetcorn and pumpkin tempura, salad, tofu, numerous greens, omelette, and rice. Plus, there’s sushi and miso soup (non-veg).
There was additionally fruit, yoghurt, toast, and pastries (of combined high quality).
In the event you don’t need to eat within the resort, Sagan restaurant is only some minutes away and is without doubt one of the solely breakfast choices within the space. Starbucks on Ninnezaka is the opposite early opener. Or should you simply need espresso, Arabica is nice.
Different
- Shuttle bus to the station.
- Laundry service.
- They’ll organize a therapeutic massage.
- They’ll ebook eating places for you.
Particulars
Resort The Celestine affords comfy, fashionable rooms. Its location is good for immersing your self in conventional Kyoto, and the onsen is nice for enjoyable on the finish of the day.
Though it lacks Sora Niwa Terrace’s gorgeous view from the rooftop bar and onsen, the rooms listed below are larger.
Verify availability and costs for Resort The Celestine on Reserving.
Ryokan Yachiyo (Northern Higashiyama)
Staying in a ryokan (conventional inn) is a must-do in Japan. Normally, I like to recommend spending an evening or two in a single in a small city or rural space, but when your journey solely consists of Tokyo and Kyoto, Kyoto is the place to do it.
Ryokan Yachiyo (or Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo) was the costliest place we stayed in Japan (thrice the price of the motels above) however we completely beloved it.
Our room was enormous, with a non-public onsen and views of pink maples (in peak autumn season).
This isn’t someplace I’d recommend for an extended keep, however for an evening or two, it’s actually particular. Opinions of the ryokan are combined however that’s as a result of the rooms differ (extra on that beneath).
Don’t come right here anticipating new, trendy services or Western-style beds. Frequent areas are a bit shabby and our room was worn in locations, however the historical past (the principle constructing was in-built 1890) is a part of its attraction.
The workers right here communicate English properly and have been very useful, so it’s a simple introduction to the ryokan expertise (which you’ll learn extra about in our Japan lodging information.
Location
Ryokan Yachiyo is situated in northern Higashiyama, a couple of minutes stroll from Nanzenji, one among our favorite temples in Kyoto.
This space is greener and quieter than Southern Higashiyama (though the principle temples nonetheless entice crowds). You may even do a beautiful forest stroll in Nanzenji.
It’s additionally very near Murin-an backyard and the Thinker’s Path with its many temples. On our autumn go to, it was a handy location to see the night time illumination at Eikando, a 10-minute stroll away.
The resort overlooks the Keage Incline, a preferred Kyoto cherry blossom spot. In spring, I feel you’d have the ability to see the blossoms from our balcony.
This isn’t the very best space for eating places and buying however there are some choices. Blue Bottle Espresso (from 9am) is throughout the street if breakfast isn’t included in your fee.
Keage Station is shut by, however you’ll have to vary strains to get to most locations. I like to recommend taking a taxi (about 25 minutes) from the station.
We walked to the ryokan from Gion in about 25 minutes with heaps to see on the best way.
Rooms
The room you select at Ryokan Yachiyo actually issues. The cheaper, normal rooms within the annex haven’t been renovated and have horrible critiques.
You need to select one of many suites as a substitute. Sure, they’re costly however I feel this ryokan is just value doing as a splurge.
Every room is completely different and we booked the Japanese-Type Suite with Balcony and Backyard View and Open-Air Bathtub. This ended up being room 3 on the 2nd flooring (there are solely two flooring).
It’s an unbelievable room, by far the largest we’ve stayed in in Japan, with home windows on three sides.
Being increased up virtually felt like being in a treehouse, and it felt non-public—we couldn’t hear different visitors, though there was site visitors noise because it’s on a reasonably busy street.
The suite has a number of sections, all with typical tatami flooring.
The doorway room is the place you possibly can retailer your issues on cabinets. Stunning sliding doorways result in the principle room, which contains a low desk and chairs the place you get pleasure from tea and sweets on arrival.
The desk is moved apart at night time, and workers will arrange your futon mattress. We discovered this and the rice pillows pretty agency, however that’s typical for a ryokan.
Amenities embody a TV, empty fridge, tea baggage, and a jug of sizzling water. There’s no kettle, so if you would like tea within the morning, it’s a must to name for it (or there’s a visitor lounge).
There’s a room service menu if you would like an alcoholic or delicate drink.
Bathrobes and yukata are supplied.
The primary room has three facet sections, all with comfy Western-style chairs, so there are a number of locations to sit down and benefit from the views of the backyard.
There’s additionally an out of doors balcony with seats.
The backyard is a spotlight and the explanation I selected this room in autumn. It’s small however options scarlet maple bushes and a rock backyard. At night time it’s lit up.
One other great characteristic of the suite is the non-public cedar bathtub. It comes pre-filled with sizzling water, and it stays sizzling in a single day (I had three baths throughout a one-night keep!).
It’s a great measurement for 2 individuals and is subsequent to a window that slides open for a semi-open-air really feel.
If you’d like the onsen expertise however don’t fancy the general public nudity, a non-public bathtub is such a deal with.
Amenities
Onsen
There’s an onsen which is public at some instances and bookable for a non-public bathtub at others.
We didn’t use it as we had a shower in our room.
Lounge
There’s a visitor lounge with free tea and soft-serve ice cream. Once more, we didn’t use it as our room was such a stunning place to loosen up.
Restaurant
Unusually for a ryokan, meals are served within the onsite restaurant, not your room, and will not be included within the room fee.
If you wish to eat dinner within the resort, ensure to ebook upfront and provides any dietary necessities.
Though it wasn’t our favorite meal in Kyoto, the restaurant overlooks a shocking backyard with a pond and many pink maples in autumn. Be sure that to request a window desk (you’ll be seated on the ground with a low desk) or on the balcony in hotter months.
Kaiseki is accessible however we booked the vegan sizzling pot, which was costly at 7590 yen ($52). The flavours felt a bit one word, however it was enjoyable to boil our greens, tofu and yuba within the sizzling water after which dip them in a soy dressing.
You too can ebook breakfast on the restaurant however we didn’t.
Different
- Bike leases (free in your first day).
- Laundry service.
- Massages might be organized.
Particulars
Ryokan Yachiyo is dearer than a Western-style resort, and it’ll not be as comfy for a lot of international visitors.
But it surely’s a novel Japanese expertise and I extremely advocate staying in a ryokan at the least as soon as.
We beloved our spacious suite, the gorgeous backyard views, and the posh of a non-public bathtub.
It’s ideally suited for exploring the realm’s temples, however some may discover it a bit removed from the motion.
Verify availability and costs for Ryokan Yachiyo on Reserving.
Machiya Homes in Kyoto
In case you are spending over per week in Kyoto or are travelling in a gaggle, you may desire to lease a machiya or conventional picket townhouse, usually present in Gion.
Verify Vrbo or Airbnb for choices.
We spent a month in Yasaka T-Home, a fantastically renovated machiya across the nook from Yasaka Pagoda. It’s comfy, heat, fashionable and has a beautiful bathtub.
There are separate listings for short-term leases (5 nights minimal) and lengthy stays (28 nights minimal).
Different Kyoto Accommodations
We haven’t stayed in these motels however they’re on our radar for subsequent time.
The Blossom Kyoto
The Blossom Kyoto opened in 2022 and has wonderful critiques.
This good-value resort has comfy Western-style rooms that incorporate Japanese design components.
It contains a public onsen, visitor lounge with free snacks, restaurant, fitness center, and self-service laundry.
The placement is central, midway between Kyoto Station and downtown (a couple of 15-minute stroll from each). It’s near a few metro/practice stations and Gion is simply throughout the river.
Verify costs and availability for The Blossom on Reserving.
Kyoto Inn Gion The Second
In the event you’d like to remain in Gion however Resort The Celestine is out of your worth vary, Kyoto Inn Gion The Second is a extra inexpensive various.
It’s in a implausible location on a quiet road near many sights.
Rooms are easy however comfy and cheerful.
Verify costs and availability for Kyoto Inn Gion The Second on Reserving.
Bonus Nara Ryokan Advice
If you’d like the ryokan expertise in a extra rural location than Kyoto, I extremely advocate Tsukihitei Ryokan in close by Nara.
Nara is just 35 minutes from Kyoto and you possibly can go to its well-known temples and park stuffed with deer on a day journey, however this ryokan makes it value an in a single day keep.
Tsukihitei Ryokan is just a 15-minute stroll from the Nara Park temples, however it feels distant, situated in a mossy backyard surrounded by primeval forest. It’s a magical place.
Meals are included and our 9-course dinner was excellent (they catered properly for vegetarians).
Verify costs and availability for Tsukihitei Ryokan right here.
Map of The place to Keep in Kyoto
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