Kyoto is a city where a day can begin among temple gardens and wooden houses and end with small dishes at a counter near the Kamo River. There are bamboo paths, covered food streets and neighbourhoods that feel very different, even when they’re just a few train stops apart.
That makes your hotel’s location matter. You can stay close to restaurants and evening walks, make train journeys easier or wake up in greener surroundings to the west. In this guide, I’ll help you choose between five good areas in Kyoto and find a hotel that suits your trip.
Contents
The Best Areas to Stay in Kyoto
- Kawaramachi - the best area for first-time visitors
- Gion & Higashiyama - the best area for temples and atmospheric walks
- Kyoto Station - the best area for train journeys and a short stay
- Karasuma - the best area for a practical, quieter base
- Arashiyama - the best area for nature and a slower stay
Below, I’ll explain the differences between the areas and share my hotel recommendations at several price points, so you can choose a base that works in practice.
1. Kawaramachi - the best area for first-time visitors
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’re in the central shopping and restaurant district around Shijo and Kawaramachi.
- 🚇 Transport: Hankyu trains from Kyoto-Kawaramachi and Keihan trains from Gion-Shijo across the river.
- ✈️ From the airport: Allow around 2-2½ hours from Kansai International Airport, including trains, changes and the walk to your hotel.
- 💰 Price range: Mid-range to high; the location pushes prices up particularly during popular travel periods.
- 🛡️ Safety: Keep track of your bag and phone in dense crowds, and stick to regular streets on your way home in the evening.
Kawaramachi is my first suggestion if you’re visiting Kyoto for the first time and want an easy base. I’d look for a hotel between Shijo-dori, Sanjo-dori and the Kamo River. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, and you don’t need to plan your whole evening around a bus journey home.
You can walk into Nishiki Market, browse the shops around Teramachi and continue down to the water. A walk across Shijo Bridge takes you into Gion, so choosing Kawaramachi makes sense even if temples and traditional streets are high on your list.
In the evening, Pontocho is an obvious place to wander and enjoy the atmosphere along its narrow street. I’d stay close by, but not necessarily with a bedroom facing the busiest restaurant streets. That gives you a better balance between street life and a good night’s sleep.
See hotels in Kawaramachi here
The compromise is that you’re not beside the city’s main shinkansen station. If you have lots of early train departures, the area around Kyoto Station is easier. Kawaramachi wins for the hours between sightseeing, when you simply want to find a coffee or go out for dinner without using transport.
Compare hotels with a specific station in mind. Kyoto-Kawaramachi and Gion-Shijo are close together but served by different companies and routes. Kyoto doesn’t have a single underground line connecting every sight, so the location works best when you combine walking with trains.
For three or four nights, I’d prioritise this area over a larger room further out. A central base makes it easier to take a break in the middle of the day. Booking.com’s Kawaramachi category also covers neighbouring streets, so use the map to compare the hotel’s location with Shijo Bridge.
Places to Stay in Kawaramachi
GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO - generous space and a central location
GOOD NATURE is my suggestion if you’re happy to spend a little extra on both the room and the location. Standard Superior rooms are 28-35 m², and the hotel uses wood and natural materials in its interiors. You’re a couple of minutes’ walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station.
The building also contains places to eat and shops, so it suits a stay where food and relaxed breaks feature prominently. It’s more expensive than a simple city hotel, but the extra space makes a noticeable difference, especially with two large suitcases.
A guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location is perfect.”
See photos and book GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO here
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto - hot baths and a roof terrace above the city
Sora Niwa Terrace is a good hotel for a couples’ holiday where the hotel itself should be part of the experience. It has shared hot spring baths and a roof terrace with a foot bath and bar, looking towards the river and Higashiyama. Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station is very close by.
Rooms accommodate a maximum of two people, so this isn’t my suggestion for a family sharing one room. Choose it for evenings on the roof and baths after long walks; not every room has a private onsen.
Dror describes one of the advantages on Booking.com: “The hot baths and rooftop bar complete the experience.”
See photos and book Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto here
Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu - a practical city hotel close to food and shops
Hotel Musse suits you if you’d rather spend your money out in the city than on a large hotel complex. There’s a breakfast buffet, a private bathroom and a location that makes it easy to walk to Nishiki Market and the restaurants around Kawaramachi.
Pay attention to the room type: a standard double is around 16 m², while a standard twin is larger. For several nights with lots of luggage, I’d pay for the extra floor space. The central address is still the main reason to choose the hotel.
Mike writes about the location on Booking.com: “We could walk to almost everything.”
See photos and book Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu here
2. Gion & Higashiyama - the best area for temples and atmospheric walks
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 10-25 minutes’ walk to Shijo-Kawaramachi from central Gion.
- 🚇 Transport: Keihan trains from Gion-Shijo or Kiyomizu-Gojo; the northern part also has Higashiyama underground station.
- ✈️ From the airport: Roughly 2-2½ hours from Kansai International Airport by public transport, including the final walk.
- 💰 Price range: Mid-range to very high; small hotels and popular addresses can be expensive.
- 🛡️ Safety: Be considerate in residential streets, respect barriers and photography signs, and watch for slippery steps in the rain.
Gion and the adjoining part of Higashiyama are my suggestions if you want Kyoto’s temple streets close to your hotel. There are small wooden façades, tea shops and paths heading towards the hills. This is an area where I’d allow time to walk without a packed itinerary and make early mornings part of the stay.
For example, you can start around Yasaka Shrine and continue south towards Kiyomizu-dera. The streets on the way are among Kyoto’s most visited. Staying nearby lets you head out before the largest crowds arrive, though the temple visit itself must, of course, fit its opening hours.
I’d choose an address near Gion-Shijo for a first visit. You can walk across the river to Kawaramachi’s restaurants and shops, and you won’t be right out at the foot of the hills every time you want to go elsewhere. Further southeast, you gain distance from the busy shopping streets but also have more walking to reach a train.
See hotels in Gion & Higashiyama here
Walking distances are exactly what you need to take seriously. An address with Higashiyama in its name can be a fair way from the station that suits your route. Hills, steps and cobbled-style paving also make the area less straightforward with a pushchair or large suitcase than the flatter central streets.
It’s a lovely choice for a slower stay as a couple, though. You can end the day with a walk past Yasaka Shrine and dinner in Gion without having to return to the other end of the city. I’d choose a hotel a little away from the most photographed street.
Gion is also a place where people live and work. Stay out of private passageways, and don’t follow or stop people for a photo. The best reason to stay here is being close to the neighbourhood, rather than expecting a performance outside your hotel door.
Places to Stay in Gion & Higashiyama
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion - an elegant hotel for a quiet couples’ break
The Celestine is by Yasaka-dori, south of the busiest streets around Shijo. It’s a good starting point for walks through Gion and onwards to Higashiyama’s temples, while Gion-Shijo Station is around a ten-minute walk away.
I’d choose it for a stay where a comfortable hotel base matters more than the shortest possible journey to the shinkansen. The location requires some walking, but you’re staying in the neighbourhood that many other visitors travel across town to see.
Florencia praises the service on Booking.com: “The staff treated us really well.”
See photos and book Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion here
Gion Elite Terrace - an interesting option for a family in Gion
Gion Elite Terrace is worth considering if you’re travelling with children and want to stay in this area. The hotel has a restaurant, terrace and several room types, so you can choose according to your family’s needs rather than just the star rating.
A guest describes a stay in a tatami room that worked well with small children. That applies to the specific room type, so I’d compare the beds and floor plan before choosing. The location is best suited to a family that enjoys walking around the city.
A guest with two small children writes about their tatami room on Booking.com: “It was perfect for two small children.”
See photos and book Gion Elite Terrace here
NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO - a modern hotel in southern Higashiyama
NOHGA is my suggestion if you prefer modern interiors and want to stay towards Kiyomizu rather than in the middle of Gion’s busiest streets. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and gym, and you can begin your day’s walk in southern Higashiyama.
This is a different location from a hotel by Shijo Bridge. I’d choose it for several days focused on Kyoto’s eastern side and expect to use transport for the shopping district and station. A large suite isn’t representative of every room in the hotel, either.
Melinda mentions transport in her Booking.com review: “It’s a short walk to public transport.”
See photos and book NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO here
3. Kyoto Station - the best area for train journeys and a short stay
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Roughly 3 km south of Shijo-Kawaramachi; allow around 20-30 minutes with transport and walking.
- 🚇 Transport: Shinkansen, JR trains, Kintetsu, the Karasuma underground line and many buses.
- ✈️ From the airport: The Haruka train takes around 80 minutes from Kansai; allow about 1½-2 hours to your hotel including waiting time.
- 💰 Price range: From simple chain hotels to large luxury hotels.
- 🛡️ Safety: The station is large and busy. Keep your luggage together and choose a route with a lift when you arrive.
The area around Kyoto Station is my most practical choice for a short trip or a journey with several stops in Japan. It’s easy to drop off your suitcase, and your next train departure doesn’t require a trip across the city first. That’s an advantage you’ll particularly appreciate when you only have two nights.
You’re staying around a large, modern station with shops and places to eat. The atmosphere differs from Gion, but this isn’t just somewhere to wait for trains. You can use the station restaurants on a rainy day and walk towards the temples northwest of the station when you want a quieter outing on foot.
JR trains run from the station towards places including Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, while the underground takes you north through the city. Kyoto’s tourist office recommends combining trains and walking where that helps avoid crowded buses. Its guide to getting around Kyoto is useful when planning your day’s route.
See hotels around Kyoto Station here
I’d compare the hotel’s location with the exit you’ll actually use. The north side is a natural choice for much of the city’s sightseeing, while the south side around the Hachijo exit works well for a hotel close to the station. The station building itself is large, and a hotel on the opposite side isn’t necessarily just around the corner.
The drawback comes in the evenings if you prefer to eat around Pontocho or walk beside the river near Gion. You can certainly do that, but you’ll have a journey home afterwards. Kawaramachi is therefore my choice for the easiest city break, while the station wins when your travel itinerary determines your days.
If you’re continuing to Japan’s capital, you can also read my guide to where to stay in Tokyo, and if you’re visiting the neighbouring city, I have a guide to where to stay in Osaka. On a trip covering several cities, I’d make at least one hotel convenient for the train. Kyoto Station is an obvious place to prioritise that.
Places to Stay around Kyoto Station
THE THOUSAND KYOTO - luxury close to the station
THE THOUSAND is my more expensive choice by Kyoto Station. It combines a practical location with a hotel where there are also good reasons to spend time between outings. There are several dining options, including Japanese and Italian, as well as tea and bar experiences.
I’d choose it if you want the station’s convenience without settling for a simple bed for the night. It makes particular sense for a couple travelling onwards by train who still want a comfortable base for their days in Kyoto.
Prima mentions the bed among other things on Booking.com: “The large, comfortable bed.”
See photos and book THE THOUSAND KYOTO here
Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo Natural Hot Spring - shared onsen baths and a Japanese hotel atmosphere
Onyado Nono is a good option if you want to combine a location near the station with hot baths. You take your shoes off indoors, and the shared onsen baths are a pleasant way to end a day of walking many kilometres.
I’d choose it for the hotel experience rather than simply the shortest distance to the station. The baths are shared facilities, not a private bath in every room, and the hotel is larger than its name might suggest. It suits you if you want that combination without booking a small ryokan outside the city.
Sayaka puts it simply on Booking.com: “The onsen bath is lovely.”
See photos and book Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo Natural Hot Spring here
Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi - a simple, practical base by the south exit
Via Inn Prime is around a two-minute walk from the station’s Hachijo side. It’s my suggestion when location and a straightforward night’s stay matter more than having lots to do within the hotel.
You get a conventional hotel room with a private bathroom and can choose breakfast if it suits your departure time. I’d particularly consider it for a first or last night in Kyoto. From this side of the station, factor in the extra walk when heading towards the central city.
A guest highlights these points on Booking.com: “Close to the station, the staff and the price.”
See photos and book Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi here
4. Karasuma - the best area for a practical, quieter base
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 1 km west of Shijo-Kawaramachi from the Shijo-Karasuma junction.
- 🚇 Transport: The Karasuma underground line and Hankyu; Karasuma-Oike also has the Tozai line.
- ✈️ From the airport: Around 1¾-2½ hours from Kansai using Haruka, the underground and walking, depending on your hotel.
- 💰 Price range: A good mix of mid-range hotels and more expensive design hotels.
- 🛡️ Safety: Karasuma-dori is a busy main road. Use pedestrian crossings, even when a side street looks quiet.
Karasuma is a good compromise if you want to stay centrally without the most visited restaurant streets directly below your window. Here, I’m using the name for the corridor around Karasuma-dori from Gojo towards Sanjo and Oike. It’s a somewhat larger area, so the nearest station matters more than the name in the hotel description.
Around Shijo-Karasuma, you can walk towards Nishiki Market and onwards to Kawaramachi. To the north is Karasuma-Oike, where two underground lines meet, and the Kyoto International Manga Museum. That gives you more options for a day that isn’t entirely devoted to the best-known temples.
The atmosphere changes between main roads, offices, small cafés and restaurants on side streets. I’d particularly look for an address a little back from the main road. Choosing Karasuma doesn’t automatically guarantee quiet surroundings, but it can make it easier to find a less busy street while staying close to transport.
The underground is the area’s main practical advantage. From Gojo and Shijo, you can easily reach Kyoto Station, while around Oike you can change for east-west journeys. That makes Karasuma a good choice if you want to stay in the same place for several nights and head out in different directions.
I’d also compare this area with Kawaramachi if there’s a noticeable price difference. A better room near Shijo Station can be a wiser purchase than a smaller room at a better-known address. You can still go out for dinner centrally and return without a long taxi ride.
Choose with your evening routine in mind. If you’ll often eat by the river, look around Shijo. If train connections and museums matter more, Sanjo and Oike are obvious options. Gojo is further south and suits a practical base where you’re happy to make a short journey into the busiest part of the centre.
Places to Stay in Karasuma
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER - gardens and baths close to two underground lines
Mitsui Garden Sanjo PREMIER is around a three-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Station. The hotel has several gardens and a large shared bath, making it a good choice if you’d like to return to more than just your room after a day out.
There’s also a private bath that can be booked separately; don’t confuse it with a facility automatically included with every room. I’d choose the hotel for a couple who prioritise comfort and good connections over staying right in the riverside nightlife.
A guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “Lovely, clean and well located.”
See photos and book Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER here
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma-Gojo - a good mid-range option with a shared bath
Keio Prelia is on Karasuma-dori, a short walk from Gojo Station and a longer but still manageable walk from Shijo. It has a shared bath and restaurant, making it a good compromise between a simple station hotel and the more expensive hotels to the north.
I’d particularly compare it with hotels around Kyoto Station. You’re a little further into the city, while the underground keeps arrival and departure relatively easy. Its main-road location does mean you should choose it for transport and facilities rather than a small, quiet street.
Anup Kumar writes on Booking.com: “Central location, spacious room.”
See photos and book Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma-Gojo here
ASAI Kyoto Shijo - a compact hotel for days spent out in the city
ASAI is a good alternative if you want a modern hotel with a restaurant and bar but don’t need a large room. It’s in the southern part of central Kyoto and suits a stay where you spend most of the day out.
I’d see it as a practical base for one or two people with a moderate amount of luggage. A guest highlights both the comfort and the limited size, so book expecting a compact city room. For a long holiday with large suitcases, I’d compare the floor area with the other suggestions.
Nicolas describes his room on Booking.com as: “Very clean, comfortable and well equipped.”
See photos and book ASAI Kyoto Shijo here
5. Arashiyama - the best area for nature and a slower stay
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Roughly 10 km west of Shijo-Kawaramachi; allow around 35-55 minutes with trains and walking.
- 🚇 Transport: JR from Saga-Arashiyama, Hankyu south of the river and Randen from the main tourist street.
- ✈️ From the airport: Around 2-2½ hours from Kansai, including trains, changes and the walk to your hotel.
- 💰 Price range: From simple hotels to very expensive riverside stays.
- 🛡️ Safety: Take care by the water and on woodland paths; choose well-lit streets when walking home after dark.
Arashiyama is to the west, where the city meets the river and green hills. It’s my suggestion if you’d like a couple of slower days with gardens, walks and plenty of time at the hotel. It’s a different kind of stay from sleeping centrally and moving from sight to sight.
Most people know the area for its bamboo grove, but I’d also allow time for Tenryu-ji and a walk along the river. The area around Togetsukyo Bridge is a useful reference point when comparing hotels. The two sides of the water give you slightly different walking distances to the stations.
A hotel here lets you head out early or stay in the area after many day-trippers have left. That doesn’t mean Arashiyama is quiet all day. The best-known spots can attract plenty of people, particularly at weekends and during blossom and autumn colour seasons.
I’d only choose Arashiyama as my sole base if it suited the style of the trip. If you want to eat in different city-centre restaurants every evening, journeys back and forth soon become part of the programme. A central hotel is easier for two or three days when you want to visit several parts of Kyoto.
With five or six nights, you could consider finishing with a couple of nights here. That gives the hotel, river and gardens their own place in the trip without using western Kyoto as your starting point for everything. I’d avoid changing hotels for just one night unless a particular hotel stay was the reason for doing so.
Transport needs a little attention: JR Saga-Arashiyama, Hankyu Arashiyama and Randen Arashiyama are different stations. Choose according to the route you’ll use, and don’t let a station name alone determine your booking. A short train journey can still be followed by a long walk with luggage.
Places to Stay in Arashiyama
Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto - a luxury riverside stay
Suiran is beside the Katsura River and is my suggestion if you want the stay in Arashiyama itself to be part of your trip. There are Japanese garden surroundings and a location suited to walks by the water and the nearby temples.
I’d choose it for a couple of slow days as a couple, with time to spend on site. For a packed sightseeing itinerary across Kyoto, I’d spend the budget on a more central address. Compare room types carefully, as views and facilities vary.
John highlights the proximity to local sights and activities on Booking.com: “Very central for many things to do.”
See photos and book Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto here
Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group - a small hotel close to the JR station
Homm Stay Nagi has just nine rooms and is around a three-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama. It’s my suggestion if you want to stay in the area while keeping train journeys to the rest of Kyoto as easy as possible.
Rooms have separate bathing and toilet areas, along with a bathtub, and the hotel suits a couple wanting somewhere smaller. You’re not directly on the busiest stretch by the bridge, so expect a walk to the river. I’d choose it for the combination of space, few rooms and a nearby station.
Holly writes about her room on Booking.com: “The room was huge and very comfortable.”
See photos and book Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group here
Hotel Arashiyama - a simpler choice in the riverside area
Hotel Arashiyama is a less elaborate alternative to the area’s luxury hotels. You get a private bathroom and a location on the south side of the river, which is convenient if you arrive on Hankyu and want to walk around the area.
I’d look at it when the accommodation needs to give you access to Arashiyama without taking up the whole travel budget. Expect a simple hotel rather than a resort with lots of facilities. Its location and the chance to start the day here are what make it interesting.
Keiji highlights these points on Booking.com: “Convenient location and lovely views.”
See photos and book Hotel Arashiyama here
Where should you avoid staying in Kyoto?
I wouldn’t choose a hotel far from a useful train or underground station simply to save a little on the room rate. Kyoto is spread out, and a cheap hotel can cost you time every day if you need a bus before travelling onwards. Pay particular attention to the return journey from the restaurants and areas you want to visit in the evening.
Arashiyama isn’t my first choice for a short visit where Gion, the centre and several temple districts all need to be easy to reach. Equally, I wouldn’t pay extra for an address in the middle of Kawaramachi’s nightlife if the aim was quiet mornings and plenty of hotel time. It’s mostly about avoiding a base that works against the holiday you want.
For a first visit, I’d start with the hotels in Kawaramachi. You get the easiest combination of restaurants, walks and evenings out, with Gion close enough to become a natural part of the day. Gion and Higashiyama are my choices if temple streets and the city’s eastern side matter more than shopping and straightforward transport.
Kyoto Station makes most sense when you’re travelling onwards by train or taking several day trips. Karasuma is a good compromise: central, practical and with hotels that can offer more for your money than the most sought-after riverside addresses. Compare a couple of specific stations rather than area names alone.
I’d save Arashiyama for a stay where you have time to enjoy western Kyoto. Two peaceful nights here can be worth more than trying to cover the whole city from one hotel. Choose the rhythm you want for your trip first, then the hotel that makes it easy to maintain.
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