While Japan was closed for the pandemic, new hotels and ryokan were popping up all over the city. Gone are the cookie-cutter business hotels of the past; small, boutique and creative is the new standard. Here are our favorites from a very strong field.
Genji Kyoto: Intimate boutique with amazing service
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A short walk from downtown, this little hotel is a real gem. Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the Kamo River.
Lobby garden at the Genji Kyoto
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto: Stylish base near major sights
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
With a great restaurant and a rooftop bar that offers amazing views over the city, this well-designed hotel is within walking distance of the major sights of southern Higashiyama. Amazingly, the rates are very reasonable.
Nohga Hotel rooftop bar and lounge
Higashiyama Shikikaboku: Small boutique gem in great location
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
With only eight carefully designed rooms, this hotel boasts close personal service and amazing Kyoto style. It’s in high demand, so you’ll have to book early to get a room.
Higashiyama Shikikaboku executive suite
Hotel Vischio Kyoto: Fantastic value steps from Kyoto Station
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Located just across the street from Kyoto Station, the Vischio is a solid midrange hotel with rates that almost put it in the budget range.
Hotel Vischio Kyoto lobby
Tsugu Kyoto Sanjo: Hip refuge in the heart of it all
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A quiet sanctuary on one of Kyoto’s most popular shopping streets, the Tsugu offers stylish and quiet rooms for everyone from solo travelers to families, at some of the most reasonable rates in town.
Tsugu Japanese-style superior room
Villa Sanjo Muromachi Kyoto: Boutique beauty on the edge of downtown
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Villa Sanjo Muromachi gets it all right: real Kyoto style, convenient location but away from the crowds, great service and very reasonable rates.
Villa Sanjo deluxe queen room
Imu Hotel Kyoto: Sociable budget hotel with the feel of a hostel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
If you’ve graduated from dorm rooms but still want the sociability of a hostel, the Imu is for you. It’s among the cheapest hotels in town and it’s got a great lounge/restaurant/bar area.
Imu Hotel Kyoto
Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo: Best family hotel in Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
With suites that boast multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as comfortable living areas, the Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo is the perfect choice for those who can afford rates at the lower end of the luxury bracket.
Mimaru three-bedroom Japanese suite
Nagi Kyoto Shijo: Stylish and well-located boutique refuge
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
If you’re looking for boutique style, a downtown location and close personal service, all at midrange prices, it’s hard to beat the Nagi Kyoto Shijo.
Nagi Kyoto Shijo superior king room
The Blossom Kyoto: Great value and location with an onsen bath
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Within walking distance of downtown, the Blossom is a budget/midrange hotel with boutique style, comfortable rooms and a soothing onsen bath on the basement floor.
The Blossom onsen bath
Best New Kyoto Hotels 2023
Here are our choices for the best new Kyoto hotels from 2023.
Sowaka: Ryokan-style hotel beside a magical shrine
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Sowaka is literally steps from Yasaka-jinja Shrine and Gion. It’s pure Kyoto style with the comforts of a luxury hotel.
Sowaka
Good Nature Hotel: Eco-friendly hotel near the action
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This “green” hotel has a garden and bar and it’s super close to the heart of downtown. We love the private balconies.
Good Nature Hotel
Dhawa Yura: Great style, great location and great price
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Just across the river from downtown, this Asian-themed boutique hotel is a great value.
Dhawa Yura
Kyoto Okura Okazaki Bettei: Beauty by the hill
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This branch of the wonderful Okura group sits beside Yoshida-yama, a magical world of temples and shrines. It feels far from the hustle of downtown, but it’s actually within walking distance.
Kyoto Okura Okazaki Bettei
Hotel Seiryu Kiyomizu: Spacious hotel above it all
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Right in the heart of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district, this boutique beauty boasts great views from many rooms and the rooftop bar/restaurant.
Hotel Seiryu Kiyomizu
Ace Hotel Kyoto: Hip hotel convenient to transport
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Steps from both subway lines and all of downtown, the Ace Hotel is the hipster’s haven. We love the in-room record players and guitars.
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Mimaru Kyoto Nishinotoin Takatsuji: Another family favorite
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This is another iteration of the superb family-friendly Mimaru chain, also close to downtown.
Mimaru Kyoto Nishinotoin Takatsuji
Park Hyatt Kyoto: Sublime sanctuary – best in the city
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
If price is no object, you will not do better than the Park Hyatt. It offers immaculate Japanese style, spacious rooms and incredible views over the city. And some of Kyoto’s most iconic sights are mere steps from the front gate.
Park Hyatt Kyoto
More Kyoto Hotel Information
- For an overview of the accommodation in different Kyoto districts, check out our Where to Stay in Kyoto page.
- And for more recommendations and suggestions, check out our guides to Kyoto Hotels and Kyoto Ryokan.
Kyoto Hotel Guide
- Where To Stay In Kyoto
- The Best Places To Stay In Kyoto
- Best Kyoto Hotels For Sightseeing
- Kyoto Hotels Overview
- Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Mid Range Hotel in Kyoto
- Best Budget Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Kyoto Hotels For Families
- Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Value Hotels in Kyoto
- Kyoto Hotel Bargains
- Kyoto Ryokan
- Kyoto Vacation Rentals
More Kyoto Ryokan info:
- Kyoto Ryokan overview
- Best Luxury Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Mid Range Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Ryokan Near Kyoto
- Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Families
- Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Couples
- Kyoto Machiya
Best High-End Ryokan In Kyoto
- Tawaraya (Read guest reviews of Tawaraya on TripAdvisor.com)
- Hiiragiya Ryokan (Read guest reviews of Hiiragiya on TripAdvisor.com)
- Ugenta (Read guest reviews of Ugenta on TripAdvisor.com)
- Hoshinoya (Read guest reviews of Hoshinoya on TripAdvisor.com)
- Seikoro (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Yoshida Sanso (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Garden Ryokan Yachiyo (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
Best Mid Price Ryokan In Kyoto
- Hirashin Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Nishiyama Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Ryokan Izuyasu (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
- Kyoto Yoshimizu (Read guest reviews of Kyoto Yoshimizu on TripAdvisor.com)
- Ryokan Shimizu (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Uemera Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Matsubaya Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Hanakiya Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Tanaka-ya (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help