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Selecting the place to remain in Kyoto might be complicated. Whereas town isn’t as giant as Tokyo, it’s nonetheless unfold out with various areas from the fashionable downtown to conventional Gion.
The best 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 inns and ryokans I like to recommend beneath. Every gives one thing completely different so I’ll aid you determine which is best for you.
This publish covers the perfect areas to remain in Kyoto, high recommendations on Kyoto lodging, and evaluations of the perfect Kyoto inns and ryokans.
On the finish, you’ll discover a map that includes all the perfect locations to remain in Kyoto.
Contents
Greatest Areas to Keep in Kyoto
If you’re questioning the place to remain in Kyoto for first-time guests, I like to recommend one in all these 4 areas.
For extra info on what to do in every space, see my detailed information to the greatest issues to do in Kyoto.
Word that I haven’t included Arashiyama on this checklist. Whereas I believe it’s a must-visit, it’s too removed from the remainder of town as a base for first-time guests.
1) Gion and Southern Higashiyama
Southern Higashiyama is crucial sightseeing space in Kyoto and is my high choose for the perfect neighbourhood to remain in Kyoto.
It’s situated between the Higashiyama (Japanese Mountains) and the Kamo-gawa river.
We virtually all the time 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 elements of town (though you’ll be able to nonetheless discover quiet spots). Staying right here is a bonus as you’ll be able to simply rise 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 outlets within the space.
Transport hyperlinks aren’t nearly as good as downtown, however we stroll virtually in every single place.
There are additionally loads of buses (however they get crowded), and also you aren’t removed from the Keihan prepare line (Gion-shijo and Kiyomizu-gojo stations), which is beneficial for visiting Fushimi Inari (a must-see shrine that’s greatest early or after darkish).
Southern Higashiyama contains the geisha district Gion, the place you’ll be able to nonetheless sometimes spot geisha in extravagant outfits on the way in which to night engagements.
In spring and autumn, the geisha dances are an exquisite option to respect these artists at work.
If you wish to expertise basic Kyoto, that is the world to remain.
2) Downtown Kyoto
The Kyoto downtown space is throughout the river from Southern Higashiyama. We all the time stroll between the 2—it takes about quarter-hour, relying on the place you keep.
That is the extra trendy a part of town and a hub for buying. It has glorious department shops like Takashimaya and the foodie Nishiki Market. You’ll discover main chains and smaller shops promoting every little thing from tea to ceramics.
There are additionally loads of eating places.
Transport hyperlinks are good right here with Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station a significant hub.
In case your focus is buying otherwise you wish to keep someplace central, Downtown Kyoto is a handy location.
3) Kyoto Station
Though the Kyoto Station space isn’t probably the most interesting place to remain, it’s handy when you’ll solely be within the metropolis for just a few nights or might be making many day journeys from Kyoto.
Like downtown, it’s a extra trendy space with loads of outlets and eating places.
There aren’t any main sights close by, although, so that you’ll have to take transport across the metropolis.
The place to Keep close to Kyoto Station: Resort Granvia Kyoto is connected to the station, so it couldn’t be extra handy.
4) Northern Higashiyama
Northern Higashiyama is the world north of Gion and Southern Higashiyama.
It’s a extra conventional a part of town and contains 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 cherished 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 having 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 glorious choices like Monk, our favorite restaurant in Kyoto.
Transport hyperlinks aren’t the perfect and also you’ll doubtless have to take the bus (or taxi). We stroll lots on this space (which could be very pleasurable).
There aren’t many inns within the space and lodging tends to be costlier.
Take into account staying in Northern Higashiyama if you wish to expertise conventional Kyoto, go to a number of temples, and maybe keep in a ryokan (conventional inn).
Issues to Know About Kyoto Lodging
- Kyoto is likely one of the costliest areas in Japan for lodging, so that you received’t get as a lot in your cash as elsewhere.
- Saturday nights are the costliest, so keep away from them when you can.
- Ebook far prematurely, particularly for the cherry blossom (late March/early April) and autumn (late November) peak seasons. Costs may even be a lot greater then.
- Rooms are normally small, so pack gentle.
- When you have giant suitcases, take a taxi fairly than attempting to suit on crowded metropolis buses. Have your resort handle written down in Japanese, as most taxi drivers don’t converse English (there’s an English-speaking taxi queue at Kyoto Station, however you could have an extended wait).
- Metropolis tax (200-1000 yen/ $1.50-$7) per particular person per night time, relying on the room price) and scorching spring tax (if relevant, 150 yen/ $1 pp pn) might be charged on high of your room price.
- Verify-in (usually 3pm) and check-out (usually 11am) occasions are usually not normally versatile, however inns permit you to retailer your baggage.
- We used Reserving.com to e-book all our inns and ryokans. Most locations provide free cancellation up to some days earlier than arrival, however examine if you e-book.
Learn our information to the place to remain in Japan for what to anticipate at several types of lodging, particularly ryokans.
Greatest Locations to Keep in Kyoto: Our Private Suggestions
We’ve got personally stayed in and advocate all these Kyoto inns.
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Resort (Downtown)
We cherished our keep at Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto, a classy downtown Kyoto resort that opened in 2022.
It gives an awesome mixture of Western comforts and Japanese model, 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 splendid for buying. It’s throughout the highway from Takashimaya division retailer and a 7-minute stroll from Nishiki Market.
There are numerous different outlets 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 potential 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 obtained to Arashiyama from right here) and 300 metres from Gion-Shijo Station simply throughout the river (the place you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to take the bus (the prepare/metro requires a switch).
The resort is situated on a busy road so there’s some site visitors noise. We had been on the seventh flooring, and it wasn’t too noisy (I requested the next flooring), and it was quiet at night time.
Word 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 fashioned. We preferred the Japanese touches that you just don’t usually get in Western inns 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 all the time be stated) 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 underneath 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 towards the wall, there was just one bedside desk, but it surely included USB and energy sockets.
Our room had a view of the buying road, however some may face a wall.
The lavatory was Western model—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 had been supplied in giant bottles. The standard facilities (toothbrush, hairbrush, razor, mouthwash, and so forth.) had been additionally supplied in case you forgot one thing.
Amenities
Whereas Sora Niwa Terrace doesn’t have a restaurant or gymnasium, it makes up for it with an outstanding onsen and rooftop bar.
The employees spoke good English and defined every little thing 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 pretty after an onsen.
Onsen
The onsen (scorching 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 house and a improbable view of the Kamogawa river, Gion, temples, and mountains.
The onsens are open from 3pm – 1am and dawn to 10am. We normally 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.
When you have tattoos, it’s essential cowl them with tape, which they promote at reception.
See my information to Kinosaki Onsen when you want a primer on onsen etiquette (e.g. ensure you bathe earlier than use and enter the tub totally bare).
Rooftop Bar
After a calming onsen, we made our option to the rooftop lounge (nonetheless carrying our yukata), a stunning house that’s for resort friends 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 any higher option to finish a day sightseeing in Kyoto than sitting along with your ft in a scorching tub, having fun with a drink and watching town lights come on (you’ll be able to’t actually see the sundown, however golden hour is gorgeous).
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 you must order a drink to sit down up there.
Meals
There isn’t a room service or restaurant at Sora Niwa Terrace, however there are many eating places close by.
In order for you breakfast, you must order a bento field (3000 yen/ $20) three days prematurely and choose it up from the lounge.
It’s not vegetarian-friendly, so Simon went to Metropolis Bakery (a 5-minute stroll away, open 8am) to choose us up pastries and occasional.
The Takashimaya meals corridor throughout the highway 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
In order for you a much bigger resort room with a greater view (some with open-air personal baths), try 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 right if you’d like a central resort with an onsen and comfy, trendy rooms.
The rooms are small, however the rooftop bar is an excellent place to calm down.
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 trendy resort mixes Japanese components with Western comforts. It options a formidable high-ceilinged foyer overlooking an inside backyard, an onsen, and a tempura restaurant.
Location
Resort The Celestine is right for temple hopping. It’s situated in Gion, near a number of the hottest sights. We’ve got seen geisha close by a number of occasions at night time.
Underrated Kenninji temple is throughout the highway, you’ll be able to 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 (greatest 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 an honest variety of eating places within the space (see my Kyoto vegetarian information for our favourites), plus the superb Mandaracha tea store.
When you’ll should stroll downtown for the massive shops and markets, there are many small outlets within the space (and loads of locations to hire 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 attempt with baggage).
The resort runs a shuttle to Kyoto Station or a taxi takes 10-20 minutes (site visitors might be unhealthy).
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 an honest dimension for Japan, though not large at round 30m2 (considerably bigger than Sora Niwa Terrace).
The deluxe rooms are larger, and the suites are large (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 had 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 function—every little thing is hidden away in a cabinet that opens up. There are mini spirits, beers and smooth drinks within the fridge, a pod espresso maker, and a kettle.
I cherished the attractive ceramic cups and teapot (supplied with Ippodo tea baggage)
Our view was of a stairwell so we stored the gauzy curtains closed (there are additionally blackout curtains).
The lavatory was Japanese model with three areas—the open plan sink, a rest room room, and a room with a small tub 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’ll be able to 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 had 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 dear, and requires reserving nicely prematurely. We didn’t eat there.
Breakfast
The breakfast buffet wasn’t included in our room price, however we paid the 3300 yen/ $22 for it.
We had been pleasantly shocked to search out loads 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).
When you don’t wish to eat within the resort, Sagan restaurant is only some minutes away and is likely one of the solely breakfast choices within the space. Starbucks on Ninnezaka is the opposite early opener. Or when you simply need espresso, Arabica is nice.
Different
- Shuttle bus to the station.
- Laundry service.
- They’ll organize a therapeutic massage.
- They’ll e-book eating places for you.
Particulars
Resort The Celestine gives comfy, trendy rooms. Its location is right for immersing your self in conventional Kyoto, and the onsen is nice for stress-free on the finish of the day.
Though it lacks Sora Niwa Terrace’s gorgeous view from the rooftop bar and onsen, the rooms listed here 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. Often, I like to recommend spending an evening or two in a single in a small city or rural space, but when your journey solely contains 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 (3 times the price of the inns above) however we completely cherished it.
Our room was large, with a personal onsen and views of crimson maples (in peak autumn season—see our information to Kyoto in autumn).
This isn’t someplace I’d recommend for an extended keep, however for an evening or two, it’s actually particular. Critiques of the ryokan are combined however that’s as a result of the rooms fluctuate (extra on that beneath).
Don’t come right here anticipating new, trendy amenities or Western-style beds. Widespread areas are a bit shabby and our room was worn in locations, however the historical past (the principle constructing was inbuilt 1890) is a part of its attraction.
The employees right here converse English nicely and had 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 in all our favorite temples in Kyoto.
This space is greener and quieter than Southern Higashiyama (though the principle temples nonetheless appeal to 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 well-liked Kyoto cherry blossom spot. In spring, I believe you’d have the ability to see the blossoms from our balcony.
This isn’t the perfect space for eating places and buying however there are some choices. Blue Bottle Espresso (from 9am) is throughout the highway if breakfast isn’t included in your price.
Keage Station is shut by, however you’ll have to alter 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 tons to see on the way in which.
Rooms
The room you select at Ryokan Yachiyo actually issues. The cheaper, commonplace rooms within the annex haven’t been renovated and have horrible evaluations.
You wish to select one of many suites as an alternative. Sure, they’re costly however I believe 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 greater up virtually felt like being in a treehouse, and it felt personal—we couldn’t hear different friends, though there was site visitors noise because it’s on a reasonably busy highway.
The suite has a number of sections, all with typical tatami flooring.
The doorway room is the place you’ll be able to retailer your issues on cabinets. Stunning sliding doorways result in the principle room, which incorporates 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 employees 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 scorching water. There’s no kettle, so if you’d like tea within the morning, you must name for it (or there’s a visitor lounge).
There’s a room service menu if you’d like an alcoholic or smooth drink.
Bathrobes and yukata are supplied.
The principle 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 timber and a rock backyard. At night time it’s lit up.
One other fantastic function of the suite is the personal cedar tub. It comes pre-filled with scorching water, and it stays scorching in a single day (I had three baths throughout a one-night keep!).
It’s a very good dimension for 2 folks and is subsequent to a window that slides open for a semi-open-air really feel.
In order for you the onsen expertise however don’t fancy the general public nudity, a personal tub is such a deal with.
Amenities
Onsen
There’s an onsen which is public at some occasions and bookable for a personal tub 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 calm down.
Restaurant
Unusually for a ryokan, meals are served within the onsite restaurant, not your room, and are usually not included within the room price.
If you wish to eat dinner within the resort, make certain to e-book prematurely 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 crimson maples in autumn. Make certain 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 on the market however we booked the vegan scorching pot, which was costly at 7590 yen ($52). The flavours felt a bit one observe, but it surely was enjoyable to boil our greens, tofu and yuba within the scorching water after which dip them in a soy dressing.
You may also e-book 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 costlier than a Western-style resort, and it’ll not be as comfy for a lot of overseas friends.
But it surely’s a novel Japanese expertise and I extremely advocate staying in a ryokan a minimum of as soon as.
We cherished our spacious suite, the gorgeous backyard views, and the posh of a personal tub.
It’s splendid for exploring the world’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
If you’re spending over per week in Kyoto or are travelling in a bunch, you may choose to hire a machiya or conventional wood 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, trendy and has a beautiful tub.
There are separate listings for short-term leases (5 nights minimal) and lengthy stays (28 nights minimal).
Different Kyoto Lodges
We haven’t stayed in these inns however they’re on our radar for subsequent time.
The Blossom Kyoto
The Blossom Kyoto opened in 2022 and has glorious evaluations.
This good-value resort has comfy Western-style rooms that incorporate Japanese design components.
It incorporates a public onsen, visitor lounge with free snacks, restaurant, gymnasium, and self-service laundry.
The situation is central, midway between Kyoto Station and downtown (a couple of 15-minute stroll from each). It’s near a few metro/prepare stations and Gion is simply throughout the river.
Verify costs and availability for The Blossom on Reserving.
Kyoto Inn Gion The Second
When you’d like to remain in Gion however Resort The Celestine is out of your value vary, Kyoto Inn Gion The Second is a extra inexpensive various.
It’s in a improbable 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 Suggestion
In order for you 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 could possibly go to its well-known temples and park filled 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, but it surely 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 very good (they catered nicely for vegetarians).
Verify costs and availability for Tsukihitei Ryokan right here.
Map of The place to Keep in Kyoto
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