Kyoto is packed with great accommodation, but what are the true standouts? Here is a list of what we consider to be the best places to stay in Kyoto, in every price bracket and category.
The Old Modern Garden Suite room
If you’re looking for the best neighborhood to stay in, check out Where to Stay in Kyoto. If you’re looking for the best hotels, ryokan, machiya rentals or capsule hotels/hostels in Kyoto, then read on. This is our highly opinionated and very personal list of the best places to stay in Kyoto. We’ve personally inspected every place on this list. For full details on any of the places listed here, click on the accommodation name.
Best Luxury Hotel In Kyoto
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
Located right beside the Kamo-gawa River, the Ritz has the best location of any hotel in Kyoto. The rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed, and many have eye-popping views of the Higashiyama Mountains. Note that we also really like the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, which has fantastic service and great restaurants (and much lower rates).
Best Mid-Range Hotel In Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Right in the heart of downtown, the Cross Hotel Kyoto offers comfortable rooms, a great lobby lounge/bar and rates that are extremely reasonable. The Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier is another excellent choice in the mid-range.
Best Budget Hotel In Kyoto
Fauchon Hotel Kyoto (formerly Hotel Sunroute)
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A short walk south of downtown, the Fauchon Hotel Kyoto (formerly Hotel Sunroute) offers comfortable rooms, efficient, helpful staff and a good restaurant. Rates are at the upper end of the budget range. It’s a great value!
Best Hostel in Kyoto
WeBase Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Forget everything you think you know about hostels, this place offers privacy, comfort and cleanliness, all at an ultra-reasonable rate. Check out the brilliant lobby library!
Best Capsule Hotel in Kyoto
Anshin-Oyado Premiere Kyoto Shijo Karasuma
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
In the time it takes you to say this absurdly long name, you could have booked a room in this brilliant capsule hotel in downtown Kyoto. It’s clean, comfortable and the baths and saunas are brilliant!
Best Machiya Rental in Kyoto
Old Kyoto
If you want the convenience and comfort of a vacation rental, but also want to sample traditional Japanese accommodation, then we strongly recommend that you try one of the beautifully restored Kyoto machiya offered by Old Kyoto. These include Amber House, Indigo House, Gion House and The Old Modern.

Amber House interior
Best Luxury Ryokan in Kyoto
Tawaraya
Those who have stayed here know that it’s worth a trip to Japan just to sample the delights of this superb ryokan. It’s one of the finest accommodations in the world.

Tawaraya exterior – image © InsideKyoto.com
Best Moderate Ryokan in Kyoto
Izuyasu
(View on on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This classic ryokan offers beautiful traditional rooms and great Japanese cuisine. It’s a brilliant choice for a traditional experience in Kyoto.
Best Budget Ryokan in Kyoto
Ryokan Shimizu
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
If you’re traveling on a budget but still want to try the ryokan experience, we recommend the friendly and welcoming Ryokan Shimizu. It’s great for families and the location is very convenient to Kyoto Station.
Best Vacation Rentals in Kyoto
Old Kyoto
That’s right: we’re listing the Old Kyoto group twice on this page. Their beautifully restored machiya are the best and most atmospheric vacation rentals in Kyoto.

Indigo House interior
How Do We Choose the Best Accommodations in Kyoto?
Kyoto is awash with hotels, so how do we choose the best ones? Here are our criteria:
- Location: We only choose places that are well located, usually downtown or near Kyoto Station, occasionally in Southern Higashiyama. These are the most convenient locations to be based in Kyoto (for more details, see Where to Stay in Kyoto).
- Personal inspections: We personally inspect EVERY place on this list (and many others which don’t make the cut).
- Feedback: We get a lot of feedback from InsideKyoto users and from guests at our tour company, Chris Rowthorn Tours.
- Value: We compare the prices of these places to others of similar rank in Kyoto. Only those that are a great value make the list.
In short, the places on this list are places that we recommend to our own family and friends when they visit Kyoto.
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
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
- 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