Where to Stay in Kyoto for First Timers: Central & Charming

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of hotels, ryokans, and places to stay in Kyoto. Reviews rave about top-tier Japanese hospitality, serene traditional hotels with onsite onsens, mountain, city, and pagoda views—it’s hard to go wrong!

But despite its serene traditional atmosphere, Kyoto is a large city that’s quite spread out. Public transportation in Kyoto is nowhere as convenient as in Tokyo, so my main tip is to stay somewhere centrally located—near Kyoto Station or downtown, especially if you only have a few days here.

And after visiting Kyoto twice myself, I’m sharing my favorite areas to stay in Kyoto, and the best local hotels in each area!

Walking through the lantern-lit streets of downtown Kyoto

Exploring a bamboo grove in Arashiyama, Kyoto

📍 Rule of thumb: Where to Stay in Kyoto based on trip length

1-4 Days in Kyoto: Stay in a central area, nearby Kyoto Station or in downtown Kyoto, my favorites include:
- ✨ $175+/night: Modern art in a 500-year-old temple
- 🚿 $116+/night: Hotel with onsen (bathhouse)
- 🥐 $80+/night: Boutique budget pick (with a bakery!)
5+ Days in Kyoto: Stay in a charming, quieter area of Kyoto like Higashiyama or Arashiyama, my favorites include:
- 👘 $350+/night: “Go back in time” samurai luxe stay in Gion
- ⛰️ $90+/night: Budget pick (with mountain views)
- 🧖🏽‍♀️ $500+/night: Perfect honeymoon in Arashiyama (if its in your budget)

*nightly rates vary throughout the year and tend tot be highest during sakura season!

Kyoto Map of where to stay in Kyoto for first timers, by Your Friend The Nomad

☀️🌺🌿 Article Outline (Jump Ahead)

Best Kyoto Hotels & Ryokans by Area

My goal with this article is to help you narrow down your options to one perfect hotel (or ryokan) that works within your budget, and has an excellent location in Kyoto!

Every single hotel on this list is rated over 9/10 by past travelers, which is the minimum I look for when booking a hotel anywhere in the world. You truly cannot go wrong!

But as you discern where to stay in Kyoto, here’s a few considerations to think about:

Should you stay at a Ryokan in Kyoto? Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns that typically offer a higher level of service, traditional tatami floor rooms, and amenities like onsens (baths), Japanese breakfast, and more. I recommend staying in a ryokan at least once during your Japan trip, and Kyoto is a great place for it!
Do you need a Western bed? Although many tourists specifically look for hotels with Western-style beds, I challenge you to give Japanese futon beds a try! I may be biased (I actually sleep on a Japanese bed at home) but I slept very well in Japan, and hotels with traditional beds tend to be a little cheaper!
How far in advance should you a stay in Kyoto? In all honesty, as soon as possible! Japan is a travel hotspot right now, and even though we were visiting in the ‘off season,’ I was shocked by how many hotels were sold out 6+ months in advance. If you see a place that interests you, book it on Booking.com today—most offer free cancellations if you change your plans and its better to have something reserved now!

Also See: The PERFECT 2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: Hidden Gems & Highlights

Staying Near Kyoto Station

Booking a ryokan or hotel within walking distance to Kyoto Station is my top recommendation if you’re only here for a few days. It’s the most connected place in Kyoto and super convenient logistically.

This is where I stayed on my first trip to Kyoto (planned by my travel-savvy Japanese family friends). On my most recent visit, I booked a hotel pretty far outside the city center and ended up regretting it—we wasted a lot of precious time getting around.

Baths at Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo, one of the best Kyoto hotels

Room at Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo in Kyoto

Photos via Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo

1. Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.1/10 on Booking.com | 9.6/10 on Expedia | $116+/night | Check current nightly rates

Famous for its onsite onsens (natural hot spring), Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo is the sister hotel to one of my favorite hotels in Asakusa, Tokyo! This one is just as special, with serene traditional rooms, and it’s only a 6 minute walk from Kyoto Station.

Bath in a traditional hotel in Kyoto near the train station

Photos by Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

2. Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.6/10 on Booking.com | 9.8/10 on Expedia | $167+/night | Check current nightly rates

Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei is a stunning traditional hotel with a luxury ryokan feel, but more affordable. It’s a 13-minute walk from Kyoto Station, so it’s incredibly convenient! Each room has a gorgeous wooden bath and a delicious breakfast (with vegan and gluten free options) is served each morning.

Photos by Ala Hotel Kyoto

3. Ala Hotel Kyoto

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $97+/night | Check current nightly rates

This clean, modern hotel is an easy budget pick at as little as $97/night. The hotel has an onsite onsen (bathhouse) and is only a few blocks from Kyoto Station, so it’s both convenient and a little luxurious, too! Keep in mind that Ala Hotel only has western-style beds, so if you’re looking for a futon bed, this isn’t the hotel for you.

Wandering through downtown Kyoto at night

Wanderings through downtown Kyoto at night!

Staying in Downtown Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto is another convenient base with its own train station (Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station) that connects you to Arashiyama and beyond, plus a train station a short walk across the river in Gion, which will take you to Fushimi Inari.

Downtown Kyoto is not as charming as the next areas I’ll mention, but it is home to the lantern-lit Pontocho Alley, and is the best area for shopping.

Good Nature Kyoto, one of the most popular places to stay in Kyoto

Beautiful hotel room at Good Nature Kyoto

Photos via Good Nature Kyoto

1. Good Nature Kyoto

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.2/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $175+/night | Check current nightly rates

This nature-focused modern hotel in the heart of downtown Kyoto has all the amenities you could think of—two Michelin starred restaurants, a gym, a garden, and more. It’s right in the center of downtown Kyoto, near the river and only a few blocks from Pontocho Alley.

Art at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji, one of the most unique places to stay in Kyoto

Photos via Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji

2. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.1/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $175+/night | Check current nightly rates

At first glance this hotel stands out for its stunning modern art, and then you begin to catch glimpses of its past as a 500-year-old Buddhist temple. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji is incredibly beautiful with clean modern rooms, a shared onsen (bath), and a central location in downtown near Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, Pontocho Alley, and tons of shops.

Seating inside Kyono Mori Yurinsha, a budget hotel and bakery in Kyoto downtown

Photos via Kyono Mori Yurinsha

3. Kyono Mori Yurinsha

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.3/10 on Booking.com | $80+/night | Check current nightly rates

This hotel-and-bakery is my favorite budget stay in Kyoto. Kyono Mori Yurinsha is located several blocks south of Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station and right across the river from the charming streets of Gion. It has a lovely homey feel and is centrally located, though a little further from train stations compared to the other downtown hotels I list.

Shots from my explorations around Gion & Higashiyama, including sake tasting and sunset at Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Staying in Gion & Higashiyama

Higashiyama Ward is home to Gion, Kyoto’s iconic geisha neighborhood. Higashiyama itself is quite large, spanning 3 miles along the east side of the Kamo River.

The northern part of Higashiyama is Gion, directly across the river from downtown Kyoto. Gion-Shijō Train Station is located on the western edge of Gion, connecting you to Arashiyama (with one transfer) in 45 minutes, and Fushimi Inari in 13 minutes. This is such a charming, bustling area and it is connected enough for exploring around Kyoto—but surprisingly, it isn’t directly connected to Kyoto Station via train.

On our recent trip we stayed in a lovely, quiet residential area in southern Higashiyama. We absolutely loved the feel of this area, but it felt too disconnected to the rest of Kyoto for a short trip. If you’re staying in Kyoto for 4+ days, want to stay amongst locals and don’t mind taking longer to get places, I’d stay here!

Traditional Japanese room at Ishibekoji Muan in Gion, Kyoto with samurai armour

Kyoto hotel along an ancient path in Gion, Kyoto

Photos via Ishibekoji Muan

1. Ishibekoji Muan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.7/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $350+/night | Check current nightly rates

Another exceptional traditional hotel in Kyoto, Ishibekoji Muan is just steps from Kōdai-ji Temple and Kōdai-ji Temple in Gion. Certainly pricier than most of the other hotels on this list, its a great splurge for a special trip with serenely luxurious traditional rooms, many of which feature giant wooden baths. It is further from train stations, so might not be ideal for a shorter trip, but is situated right in the heart of Gion!

View of pagoda and city view from a Kyoto hotel rooftop

Photos via Kyo no Yado Sangen Ninenzaka

2. Kyo no Yado Sangen Ninenzaka

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.5/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $350+/night | Check current nightly rates

Tucked amongst the winding streets of Gion a five minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyo no Yado Sangen Ninenzaka is another beautiful traditional hotel. It has a rooftop with a view over the city and famous Yasaka Pagoda. The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the nearest train station.

SImple room at Kyo-Anthu Inn in Higashiyama, Kyoto

Photos via Kyo-Anthu Inn

3. Kyo-Anthu Inn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.8/10 on Booking.com | 10/10 on Expedia | $90+/night | Check current nightly rates

This darling three-room budget-friendly inn near Shichijō Station in southern Higashiyama is the highest-rated Kyoto hotel on my list! Most of the rooms have numerous beds, so it’s a lovely option for groups or families with western-style beds and traditional charm. Location-wise, it’s south of Gion, just across the river from Kyoto Station in a less touristy area—but still well-connected thanks to the nearby Shichijō Station.

Walking through a bamboo grove in Kyoto, Japan

Snapshots from my explorations around Arashiyama, one of my favorite areas to stay in Kyoto!

Staying in Arashiyama

Home to the famous bamboo forest and dozens of small charming temples, Arashiyama is one of the most special neighborhoods in Kyoto. It would be a lovely area to stay if you’re in Kyoto for 4+ days and don’t mind being a bit further from the city center. Of course, keep in mind that Arashiyama is 15-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, and you’ll need to connect through there to get to many of the other main sights in Kyoto.

Also See: How to Spend One Day in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Muni Kyoto, one of the most luxurious places to stay in Kyoto

Bath at a luxurious hotel in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Photos via Muni Kyoto

1. Muni Kyoto

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.3/10 on Booking.com | 9.8/10 on Expedia | $500+/night | Check current nightly rates

Muni Kyoto is a Michelin key luxurious hotel located in the heart of Arashiyama—a block from the river and iconic Togetsukyō Bridge, and short walk from the bamboo forest and temples. Many of the rooms feature stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and have private baths!

Budget room at Hotel Arashiyama with mountain views

Photos via Hotel Arashiyama

2. Hotel Arashiyama

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.1/10 on Booking.com | 10/10 on Expedia | $90+/night | Check current nightly rates

Hotel Arashiyama is a lovely affordable hotel in Kyoto, with Western-style rooms and mountain views! It’s right next to the Togetsukyō Bridge and two different onsens, and walkable to anywhere you want to explore in Arashiyama.