Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan.

Kyoto is truly a fascinating city, with plenty to see and do. The city is surely on your itinerary for your next trip to Japan, but with that, comes the challenge of finding hotels in Kyoto that are in central areas, and near the key attractions. The city of Kyoto is very spread out, but travelling from one side to the other is easily done through the complex network of subway and train lines. However, there are large parts of the city not covered by the train network, which can leave you with 30+ minute walks from the nearest transport station, to your hotel.

To help you find where to stay easier, we’ve assembled a list of hotels in Kyoto, in the areas that are well connected to both public transport, and the key destinations you want to see in Kyoto.

Hotels near Kyoto Station

The Kyoto Station area is ideal to stay in, and anywhere within about a 10 minute walk of the station is perfect for exploring the city. Hotels in the Kyoto station area range in price from cheap to expensive, so there is plenty of options that suit most budgets.

In the Kyoto station area, you can walk to several famous temples – such as the Nishi & Higashi Hongan-ji Temples, To-ji Temple, or the Kyoto Tower, the Kyoto Aquarium, and the Shosei-en Gardens.

Kyoto Tower Hotel

The Kyoto Tower Hotel is a centrally located hotel in the heart of Kyoto, mere steps outside of the Kyoto Station.

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Kyoto Hana Hostel

The Kyoto Hana Hostel is a Japanese guesthouse a short walk from Kyoto Station. This is a highly rated, budget friendly hotel option.

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Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Located within Kyoto Station, the Hotel Granvia Kyoto is a stylish and modern hotel, with super convenient access to the train lines for easy exploring in Kyoto.

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Hotels in the Higashiyama District

The Higashiyama area, to the east of Kyoto Station – across the Kamo River, is a popular tourist destination, home to some of Kyoto’s most popular attractions, such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Heian Shrine, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), and many more historic areas. The Higashiyama area is where you will typically find traditional streets with houses dating back centuries. A walk through Higashiyama can sometimes feel like you are travelling back in time.

This area has an abundance of quality hotels, and traditional Ryokans which are renowned for their high level of service.

Ryokan SAKANOUE

The Kyoto Ryokan Sakanoue is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the Higashiyama Gion District. Experience the best Kyoto has to offer in an unforgettable location.

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Gion Elite Terrace

The Gion Elite Terrace is located in the cultural heart of Kyoto, being on a short walk from the Famous Yasaka shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Hokan-ji, and some of the historic architecture of Kyoto.

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Rinn Gion Yasaka

The Rinn Gion Yasaka is a freshly renovated house with Japanese & Western fusion style rooms, located in the heart of the Higashiyama district, only a short walk away from Kyoto's top sites.

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Hotels in the Arashiyama District

The Arashiyama area is a tourist hotspot in Kyoto, but is a little out of the way from the rest of the city. Nearby, you can find the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, and the Iwatayama Monkey Park, among a multitude of pleasant walks along the Katsura river, and other temple hopping. If staying in the Arashiyama area, you can easily access the rest of the city, with about a 20 minute train ride from Arashiyama, to Kyoto Station.