Where to Stay in Kyoto: A Personal Guide Based on My Own Hotel Experiences
Kyoto is one of the most visited cities in Japan, and for good reason. It’s a city of quiet beauty, rich history, and deep cultural charm. But when it comes to choosing where to stay, things can get overwhelming. There are over 3,000 hotels within Kyoto City, and depending on which area you choose, your experience can feel entirely different.
I’ve visited Kyoto many times over the past decade and stayed in six different hotels across the city. In this article, I want to share what I’ve learned — not just as a content creator, but as a traveler who values mood, walkability, and the feeling of truly being in Kyoto.
Understanding Kyoto’s Layout
Most visitors to “Kyoto” are actually staying in Kyoto City, located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture. The city is surrounded by mountains, with Kyoto Station at the southern edge of the city center. Major attractions — such as Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, and the Golden Pavilion — are spread throughout the city.
There’s no single perfect location that gives you access to everything. So the key is to match your accommodation to your travel style.
1. Kyoto Station Area
If you’re arriving by Shinkansen from Tokyo or via Kansai International Airport, Kyoto Station will likely be your first stop. It’s the most convenient area in terms of transport, especially if you have large luggage or plan to move on to other cities afterward.
Personally, I don’t usually stay here — the area feels more like a business zone than Kyoto’s traditional side. But if convenience is your top priority, it works well.
2. Downtown (Kawaramachi, Shijo, Sanjo)
This is where I find myself coming back to most often. The balance between convenience and atmosphere is hard to beat. You’re close to the Kamo River, Nishiki Market, and the small alleyways that make Kyoto so walkable and intimate.
Hotel I stayed at:
The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa
This one felt more refined and peaceful. It’s also along the river but tucked away from the busier streets. If you’re looking for a calm, grown-up atmosphere within walking distance of shops and restaurants, this Gate Hotel is a solid choice. If you get a Kamogawa riverside room, the view is worth it.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
Located along the river near the city hall area. I stayed at this Solaria Nishitetsu partly because I enjoy early morning walks, and this location made it easy to slip out without needing any transport. Make sure to get a riverside room if the view do matter for you.
3. Gion and Higashiyama Area
For those seeking a more classic Kyoto experience, this area is hard to beat. Wooden houses, narrow alleys, and old temples surround you. Many stores close early, but I actually liked the quiet evenings. It gives you a different pace, especially if you’re used to big cities.
Hotel I stayed at:
Stay Sakura Kyoto Higashiyama Shirakawa
Stay Sakura has several locations in Kyoto, and this Higashiyama Shirakawa located near a small canal in a quiet neighborhood. The room was spacious and had a small kitchen, which gave me more flexibility. I also appreciated the check-in system — they have an office near Kyoto Station where you can leave your luggage early and get your key, so your bags are already in your room when you arrive later.
Traditional Ryokan Experience
If you’ve never stayed in a ryokan — a traditional Japanese inn — Kyoto is a good place to try it. Even just one night can shift your perspective.
Ryokan I stayed at:
Higashiyamaso (Gion area)
This was a hillside ryokan with Japanese-style rooms. It included two meals, which were both generous and seasonal. Staying here made me slow down. No screens, no noise — just tatami, paper doors, and the sound of wind. If you’re open to a more immersive experience, I recommend at least one night in a place like this.
4. East Kyoto (Nanzenji, Keage, and beyond)
If you like quiet mornings and temple walks, this area might surprise you. It’s a bit more residential, but the quality of the air and the calm streets stay with you.
Hotel I stayed at:
The Westin Miyako Kyoto
It’s a large, Western-style hotel near Nanzen-ji Temple. I stayed here because I wanted to do early morning walks without having to commute. The view from the room was beautiful, and the walk to the temple through the backstreets became one of my favorite memories from this trip.
5. Umekoji Area (West of Kyoto Station)
This is a bit of a hidden spot that I stayed in when visiting the Kyoto Railway Museum. It’s not as well known to foreign tourists, but I actually liked how quiet and modern the area felt.
Hotel I stayed at:
Umekoji Kadenshō
It’s a unique hotel that offers a public bath and a blend of traditional and modern design. I chose this place mostly out of curiosity, and while it’s a bit outside the tourist areas, the stay was surprisingly comfortable.
Is It Okay to Stay in Osaka and Do a Day Trip to Kyoto?
This is a question I’ve received quite a few times, especially from viewers who enjoy nightlife or want to reduce hotel costs. The answer is yes — it is definitely possible to base yourself in Osaka and visit Kyoto as a day trip.
From Osaka Station, it takes about 30 minutes by JR train to reach Kyoto Station. There are also private railway lines like Hankyu and Keihan that connect Osaka directly to central Kyoto areas such as Kawaramachi or Gion, which can actually be more convenient depending on where you want to go.
The benefit of staying in Osaka is that you can enjoy the city’s more vibrant nightlife and food scene, especially in areas like Namba or Umeda. Hotels used to be cheaper in Osaka as well, though prices have been rising in recent years.
That said, there are trade-offs. If you want to explore Kyoto early in the morning or walk around in the evening when temples and streets are quieter, it’s hard to do that on a day trip. Also, constantly moving back and forth can be tiring, especially if you’re trying to visit more than one area per day.
So it really comes down to your priorities. If you prefer the energy and convenience of Osaka, then staying there and visiting Kyoto during the day is a reasonable option. But if your goal is to fully immerse yourself in Kyoto’s slower rhythm and atmosphere, even for just one night, I think staying in Kyoto itself is well worth it.
How to Save Money Coming from Tokyo: Use Smart EX Packages
If you’re traveling from Tokyo, there’s a great way to reduce costs without using a JR Pass. It’s called the Smart EX Shinkansen + Hotel package. I’ve used this myself, and it often saves between 10,000 to 20,000 yen compared to booking a train and hotel separately.
Here’s how it works. After registering on the Smart EX website or app, you can access special packages that bundle Shinkansen tickets and hotel rooms. For example, a round-trip ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto plus two nights at a hotel can be as low as 65,000 yen for two people. That’s much cheaper than booking them individually.
You can also select newer trains like the N700S and reserve a seat with oversized baggage space if needed. For busy seasons, this is especially helpful.
The only thing to keep in mind is that your return date to Tokyo is fixed when you book. However, you don’t have to return immediately after your hotel stay. You can stay longer in Kyoto or travel onward to Osaka, Nara, or even Hiroshima, and come back later. This flexibility makes the Smart EX package a very practical choice for visitors who want comfort and savings without the JR Pass.
I always recommend checking these packages before booking a hotel on its own, especially if you’re coming from Tokyo.
How to Handle Luggage in Kyoto Without Stress
Kyoto is a walkable and compact city, but when it comes to transportation, there’s one thing that catches many travelers off guard: how to handle your luggage. Especially during peak seasons like cherry blossom and autumn foliage, buses can get extremely crowded. And unlike in Tokyo, Kyoto buses aren’t well-suited for large suitcases.
To be honest, bringing a big suitcase onto a packed city bus isn’t just inconvenient — it’s also one of the main sources of friction between tourists and locals. As someone who visits Kyoto often, I’ve come to realize how much smoother the trip goes when luggage is handled smartly.
Here are three practical tips:
First, choose a hotel near a train or subway station rather than relying on bus routes. Kyoto’s subway and private rail lines like Hankyu and Keihan are more luggage-friendly. It’s the best comfort to ask your hotel to keep your luggage before checking in and after checking out.
Second, consider using luggage delivery services. You can send your suitcase directly from your previous hotel or the airport to your Kyoto hotel. This hands-free option makes a big difference when arriving early and wanting to start sightseeing right away. The only con is the luggage delivery service in Kyoto station can be a long line.
Third, some hotels offer excellent luggage handling services. For example, The Prince Hotel Kyoto Takaraike has a counter in Kyoto station that they can send your luggage to your hotel room for 500 yen. So you can travel hands free as soon as you arrive at Kyoto statoin.
When I stayed at Stay Sakura Kyoto Higashiyama Shirakawa, I was able to check in my luggage at their office near Kyoto Station in the morning. When I arrived at the hotel later in the day, my bag was already waiting in the room — no extra charge. That kind of support isn’t common, and it really stood out. (This service might no longer available)
Finally, if you need to use a taxi, apps like DiDi and GO support English and allow credit card payment. It’s an easy option if your hotel is a bit far from the station or you’re arriving late.
In Kyoto, how you handle your luggage can either make or break the start of your trip. A little planning goes a long way.
Have a wonderful trip in Kyoto!
Choosing the right hotel in Kyoto isn’t just about price or stars. It’s about how you want to feel when you wake up and when you return at night. For me, I care more about the rhythm of the area, the ease of taking a walk, and how each place quietly reflects the spirit of Kyoto.
I hope my personal experiences help guide you in finding a place that matches your own rhythm. And no matter where you choose to stay, Kyoto has a way of revealing itself — one quiet street, one garden path, or one morning light at a time.
