Where to Stay in Kyoto Japan: The Best Areas & Hotels in Kyoto 2026

If you’ve read any of my other Japan guides, then you might already know that Kyoto is one of my favorite cities in the entire country.

It just has some of the most amazing sightseeing, the most beautiful shrines and temples, incredible architecture, and, of course, amazing food.

But today, I don’t want to talk about any of that. No, today I’ll be talking about where to stay in Kyoto. This includes my favorite areas to base yourself in, as well as the hotels in Kyoto that I actually enjoyed staying at the most.

I know from my own experience that with all the Japanese cities, it can be pretty difficult booking a hotel and finding the perfect location. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out which area would actually be the most convenient for getting around, which is why I decided to put together this guide to make things a little easier on you. So, let’s get into it!

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Kyoto Japan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good Nature Hotel Kyoto – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Hotel Alza Kyoto – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Kyoto Century Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

Where to Stay in Kyoto Japan: The Best Areas & Hotels in Kyoto 2026 — I had to get here (Yasaka Pagoda) super early in the morning to get a picture with no crowds!

Where to Stay in Kyoto Japan – My Experience

I spent 4 full days in Kyoto on my last trip and, honestly, I left wishing I had more time. I’m already planning to head back this coming winter, but even in those four days, I learned a lot about how this city “works” for a traveler. Whenever I visit a new place, I try to stay in at least two different areas just to see the contrast, and that’s exactly what I did here.

For the first two nights, I stayed in Northern Higashiyama in a traditional Japanese Ryokan with some friends. It was such a cool experience, we had the classic futon beds and a peaceful little garden, but I quickly realized it was a bit “decentral.” It was definitely a mission to get anywhere else in the city from there.

That’s why I moved to Hotel Rings Kyoto in downtown for my final two nights, and the difference in convenience was massive.

As much as I loved the traditional vibe of the Ryokan, being downtown was just a game-changer for exploring.

I could actually walk to most places or just hop on a quick bus. Having my favorite food markets and restaurants right there was the best part; honestly, there is nothing I hate more than having to navigate public transport for 40 minutes just to get home after a long dinner. Being able to just walk back to my room was a total win.

One thing I realized is that unlike Tokyo, where you’re constantly jumping between huge, spread-out hubs, Kyoto has one very clear heart. As long as you stay in that downtown center, everything feels reachable.

That’s why I recommend to 90% of you, especially if it’s your first time, to stay in Kyoto Downtown. Please trust me on this; it will make your trip so much smoother and save you so much time on transit!

The Best Areas to Stay in Kyoto

1. Kyoto Downtown (Kawaramachi)

As I already mentioned, I really think downtown Kyoto is the best area to stay in for anyone coming to the city for the first time, purely for convenience reasons.

I stayed in Kyoto downtown myself, at Hotel Rings, and it was honestly perfect. I had a 7-Eleven right next to my hotel (which I’m sure y’all already know is essential in Japan), but I also had amazing restaurants like my favorite gyoza place, Gyoza Taizou, just a few minutes’ walk from where I stayed. Having those things right there just makes life so much easier.

On top of that, the public transport here is super well-connected. I had absolutely no issues getting to Fushimi Inari Shrine or out to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest from here.

That’s exactly what I mean by convenience, when you stay downtown, everything you need is basically right at your doorstep.

Best Downtown Kyoto Hotels:

Hotel Rings Kyoto

I stayed at Hotel Rings Kyoto, and I honestly had the most amazing experience there. When I travel, I don’t necessarily stay in the fanciest places; I just always try to get great value for money, and Hotel Rings definitely was exactly that.

It’s a super cute boutique hotel. When I arrived, the staff was amazing, they even gave me loads of recommendations for bars and restaurants nearby, which I thought was super sweet.

I had the breakfast included, which was decent, and my bed was actually super comfortable. To my biggest surprise, the rooms were a “normal” size (for my standards, at least!). I’ve stayed at so many hotels in Japan with tiny rooms, so Hotel Rings was actually fantastic in that sense. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a good-value, mid-range hotel.

Book Here: Hotel Rings Kyoto (This is where I stayed and I definitely recommend it!)

The Gate Hotel Kyoto (Takasegawa by Hulic)

Needless to say, I didn’t stay here myself since I’m not super rich! However, if you are looking for an amazing luxury hotel in Kyoto, then The Gate should be your first address. It’s located in a beautiful building right in the center of the city. On the outside, it looks very European, but inside it definitely has many Japanese features.

It has all the high-end perks: a gym, a rooftop bar with a fire pit, and amazing-looking rooms and suites. It’s actually built into an old renovated schoolhouse, which gives it such a cool vibe. If any of the people from The Gate Hotel are reading this and want to invite me for a promo stay, I’m all ears! Haha.

Book Here: The Gate Hotel Kyoto

2. Gion Kyoto (Geisha District)

Gion is another area that I think would be amazing to stay in. I haven’t stayed here myself yet, but I spent quite some time exploring Gion and I really liked it, to be honest. I even saw a real true Geisha when I was there (at least I think she was real).

For a start, the area is super central, it’s pretty much right next to downtown Kyoto, so it kind of has all the perks downtown has in terms of location, but it’s a little more quiet.

Whenever I was wandering through Gion, I kept thinking that I definitely could’ve stayed here myself. It’s so beautiful since it’s the traditional Geisha district; there are loads of old alleyways and streets with traditional houses which is just so cool.

To get to the busier spots, you do have to walk a little further towards downtown, but honestly, it isn’t a big deal at all.

Whenever I visit Kyoto again (fingers crossed it will be this coming winter!), I’ll most likely stay in Gion. I think it’s the perfect compromise if you want somewhere quiet and traditional but still need that central location.

The Best Places to Stay in Kyoto Gion:

Kyoto Granbell Hotel

I actually remember looking into staying here because I really wanted to treat myself to a more traditional stay in Kyoto. However, my friends came to visit, which is why we ended up choosing a larger house to share, but otherwise, I would’ve for sure stayed here.

The Kyoto Granbell Hotel looks so pretty. It’s such an amazing mix of traditional Japanese style but with a minimalist, modern, and luxurious twist. It’s definitely somewhere I would’ve loved, and I’m already eyeing it for my next trip to Kyoto since I’m planning on staying in Gion anyway.

Book Here: Kyoto Granbell Hotel

Rinn Gion Kenninji

I’ve been a budget traveler myself, and honestly, a lot of the time I still am. It’s just that in Japan, I decided to splurge a little more. Because I often travel on a lower budget, I wanted to make sure to include a great budget-friendly option too, and that is Rinn Gion Kenninji.

It’s also located in Gion, so it has that traditional vibe with a modern twist, pretty similar to the Granbell but just a little less upscale, if that makes sense. Other than that, the vibe is very similar, perfect if you want that Gion atmosphere without the luxury price tag.

Book Here: Rinn Gion Kenninji

3. Northern Higashiyama ( Higashiyama Ward)

Northern Higashiyama is the very first area where I actually stayed myself, and I’m a little on the fence about it, to be honest.

I stayed in a traditional Japanese house (ryokan) which was super cool and definitely an experience. I was also right next to the Philosopher’s Path and Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), two super cool things to do in Kyoto, so in that sense, it was amazing.

However, I wouldn’t recommend only staying here. I felt like it was a little too difficult getting around and seeing the rest of Kyoto because it’s kind of far out from downtown. I loved it since I only did it for two nights before moving downtown for my final two nights, which worked out fine, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here as your main base for the whole trip, if that makes sense.

One big perk I had, though, was that I was pretty much the very first person at Ginkaku-ji (which is my favorite temple in Kyoto, by the way). Because I literally stayed a one-minute walk away, I could beat all the crowds, which was a huge bonus!

Kyoto Hotels in Northern Higashiyama:

Ryokan in Kyoto

This was the first place I stayed in Kyoto, and I was so excited for it. I’ve always wanted to stay in a Ryokan to see what it’s actually like, and honestly, I’m still processing how differently people live in Japan.

Our bedrooms were just mattresses on the floor with those typical tatami mats and super thin sliding walls, it was about as Japanese as it gets. I want to mention though, that I slept like a baby here!

Even the living room involved sitting on the floor around a low table. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it and I definitely recommend it for the experience, but I don’t think I’m built to live like that full-time. My back wouldn’t let me!

Aside from the floor-living, our place had everything we needed, including a full kitchen and a cute little Zen garden. One of my favorite things was that we were tucked away in the suburbs. Every morning, I’d head out for a wander to grab a coffee and just watch the locals getting up for work or doing chores. It was so peaceful compared to the noise of downtown.

The specific Airbnb I stayed at isn’t available anymore, but I’ve found some similar spots that I’ll link below if you want that same vibe. One thing I’d say is that these big traditional houses are great for groups, but if you’re just a couple, you might find it easier to stay in a traditional-style hotel in Gion instead.

Book Here: Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

Book Here: Kyoto Seikoro Ryokan

4. Kyoto Station

The last area I would like to recommend is around Kyoto Station, because for some of you, this might actually be the most convenient spot to stay.

I’ve talked to quite a few of you who choose to only stay in Kyoto rather than splitting time with Osaka, and then just do a day trip to see Osaka or even head to Universal Studios Japan from there. For that kind of plan, staying close to the station is just perfect.

I didn’t do this myself since I actually spent quite a bit of time staying in Osaka too, but Kyoto Station is definitely the most convenient location for any type of day trip, including Nara! On top of that, the station area is still super close to downtown Kyoto, so you aren’t exactly isolated.

I would definitely stay here myself if I was a little shorter on time and was planning to base myself in Kyoto while doing a bunch of day trips. If that’s your plan, staying here is definitely a smart move.

The Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto Station:

Kyoto Century Hotel

Kyoto Century Hotel was the number one hotel I wanted to stay at so bad because I found such an amazing deal for it on Booking.com. If I remember correctly, I could’ve booked a night for under $100 USD, which honestly is so cheap for a place like this. It’s a beautiful 4-star hotel that really looks incredible in person.

However, for all the plans I had, I just really needed to stay in Kyoto downtown, it just made more sense for me at the time. But if you are planning on staying close to Kyoto Station, you should absolutely go for this hotel.

Book Here: Kyoto Century Hotel

Dusit Thani Kyoto

I realized I haven’t put a super luxury hotel in Kyoto in this guide yet, and I know that some of my readers really like that type of experience, so here we go. Dusit Thani Kyoto is definitely one of the best 5 star hotels in Kyoto; it honestly has everything you need for an amazing stay.

What I think is the most impressive part is the design, which is super upscale Japanese. When I go on a trip, I want my hotels to be part of the experience. When I’m in Japan, I want my hotel to have that Japanese theme.

The Dusit Thani is very much like that, but not in a “Disney” type of way. It’s super minimalist Japanese with an Onsen, a Spa, and even the rooms have these amazing traditional touches. From all the research I did, this is definitely the number one 5 star hotel in Kyoto I would stay at.

Book Here: Dusit Thani Kyoto

FAQs About The Best Places to Stay in Kyoto

What are the best luxury hotels in Kyoto?

I personally had an amazing time at Kyoto Century Hotel, which is a beautiful 4-star hotel in Kyoto. While it’s definitely not a super high-end “luxury” hotel, I had an incredible experience and I thought the value for what I paid was fantastic.

What is the best neighborhood to stay in Kyoto?

I’ll be honest, after staying in Kyoto myself, I think Kyoto Downtown is the only right answer here. It just made the most sense for me since it’s a central location, it felt very safe, and it has loads of shopping, sightseeing, and restaurants right around you.

Is Kyoto expensive to visit?

I was actually surprised that I spent way less money in Kyoto than I did in Tokyo, especially on activities and accommodation. While I feel like food and transport cost about the same, in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn’t necessarily say that Kyoto is “cheap”—but it is manageable!

Where to stay in Kyoto with family?

I would again recommend staying in Kyoto Downtown. Yes, it might be a little busier, but if you want convenience and a good location, downtown is the best. However, if you’re looking for a quieter experience, especially if you have little babies or kids, then Northern Higashiyama where I stayed was so beautiful and peaceful, so that might be a great alternative.

Final Thoughts on The Best Kyoto Hotels

To wrap this up, I definitely think that finding a place to stay in Kyoto is much easier than in a place like Tokyo, which I appreciated a lot.

As much as I loved Tokyo, I found it very inconvenient that everything is so neighborhood-based, meaning I spent ages getting around on the subways from area to area. Kyoto is very different. It has a proper city center (Downtown) which borders Gion and is close to Kyoto Station, so it’s kind of a no-brainer.

I personally stayed at Hotel Rings Kyoto myself and, honestly, my experience was as good as it could’ve been. That’s why I want to recommend the same to you: book that same hotel in that same area if you want a great experience!