Kyoto hotels are generally pretty reasonable, but even against this backdrop of low prices, some places really stand out as good values. Here the best value Kyoto hotels in all price ranges, all personally inspected.
Best Value Budget Hotels
Glanz kei Gion Shinmonzen
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Every time we check the rates at this cozy Gion hotel, we think there must be some kind of mistake – the rates can’t be this low, considering the location. But, they are!
Hotel Excellence Kyoto Hachijo
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
For business hotel-style rooms at capsule hotel rates, you can’t beat this efficient hotel on the south side of Kyoto Station.
ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo (formerly Hotel Unizo Kyoto Shijo Karasuma)
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Just west of downtown, the ibis Styles is an efficient standard business hotel with rates well below similar hotels in this price range.
Toyoko Inn Gojo Karasuma
(View on Agoda.com and on Booking.com)
The Toyoko Inn chain is a nationwide chain that offers decent rooms at ultra-low rates. This iteration is relatively convenient to both downtown and Kyoto Station.
WeBase Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
If your hotel room is merely a place to lay your head and you’re okay with very small rooms, you can save a lot of money by staying at this excellent hotel in the middle of downtown Kyoto. We love the library in the lobby!
For more great budget options, see Kyoto’s Best Budget Hotels.
Best Value Mid-Range Hotels
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
When you take into consideration the superb location and the quality of the rooms here, you’ll be amazed at the price.
Cross Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Right in the heart of downtown and this hotel has great rooms and a hip lounge/restaurant. It’s hard to beat Cross Hotel for cost performance.
For more great mid-range hotel options, see Kyoto’s Best Midrange Hotels.
Best Value Luxury Hotels
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Hyatt may not offer the same ultra-lux experience of the Ritz or the Four Seasons, but rooms here average less than half the price of those two. It’s Kyoto’s most reasonably priced international luxury hotel brand.
Kyoto Hotel Okura
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Kyoto Hotel Okura occupies the single most convenient location in all of Kyoto. It’s an elegant and solid hotel with great Japanese service. The rates are well below most other luxury hotels in Kyoto. It’s a great value.
Saka Hotel Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This ryokan-style hotel in the Southern Higashiyama area is a true hidden gem. The hotel has the feeling of a boutique luxury hotel, but the rates are almost in the mid-range bracket, making it an incredible value.
The Thousands
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Super convenient to Kyoto Station, The Thousands has style to spare and comfortable, well-designed rooms. We’re not sure why, but it’s priced well below most of its competition.
Kyoto Brighton Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Brighton doesn’t have the most convenient location in Kyoto, but it’s really an easy walk to two subway stations (as well as the lovely Kyoto Imperial Palace Park). Because the location is considered less than ideal, the rates here are much cheaper than average for a hotel of this class.
For more great luxury hotel options, see Kyoto’s Best Luxury Hotels.
Another Great Option: Kyoto Machiya
Another great option to consider is a Kyoto machiya (traditional townhouse). These are vacation rentals with a Japanese twist. If you compare the per-person price of a machiya with hotels or ryokan of a similar level, you might find that machiya are a very reasonable option indeed. See Kyoto Machiya for more details and our top machiya picks.
Other Useful Moneysaving Pages
If you’re looking for ways to save money and still have a great time in Kyoto, we’ve got all the information you need. Here are three pages to star with:
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 – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto) or Tokyo's Narita Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth itfor you
- A prepaid 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