Central Kyoto contains two of the most important tourist sites in the city: the Kyoto Gosho (Imperial Palace) and Nijo Castle, as well as a few smaller sights and attractions.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
What’s In Central Kyoto?
Central Kyoto is basically everything in the wide plain in the middle of Kyoto, with the exception of the areas we cover in the Downtown Kyoto, Kyoto Station Area, and Nishijin sections of this guide.
Things To Do And See In Central Kyoto
- Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace)
Kyoto’s Imperial Palace (known as Gosho in Japanese) is the Emperor’s official residence in Kyoto. The structures, though modern reconstructions, are lovely - Sento Gosho
The Sento Gosho is a sprawling walled garden with gorgeous ponds and meandering walkways through towering trees and blooming plants of every sort - Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park – the park that surrounds the Kyoto Gosho)
A green sanctuary in the middle of the drab plain of Kyoto, the Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park) is Kyoto’s Central Park - Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is second only to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine as Kyoto’s best and most beautiful Shinto Shrine. It’s a brilliant place for a stroll - Kyoto Botanical Gardens
Often overlooked by visitors, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is one of the city’s hidden treasures. It’s great for picnics, strolling or cherry blossom viewing - Kamigamo-jinja Shrine
One of Kyoto’s least visited but most historically important shrines, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is a great place to catch your thoughts up north. - Nijo-jo Castle
Nijo-jo Castle is one of Kyoto’s most popular and impressive sights. It shows the power that the Shoguns wielded over the emperors throughout the Edo Period - Funaoka Onsen
Funaoka Onsen, which is actually a sento, is the best public bath in Kyoto. It’s well worth a trip across town to relax in this beautiful bath house. - Kamo-gawa Riverside
The Kamo-gawa riverside is really just one long park which Kyotoites use for relaxation, exercise and contemplation. - Goko-yu Sento
Goko-yu Sento is a large public bath on the southwest side of Downtown Kyoto. It’s a “destination sento” with a wide variety of baths spread over two floors. - Sumiya Pleasure House
A beautifully preserved ageya (geisha entertainment house), Sumiya is a truly sublime showcase of Japanese architecture, design and decorative traditions. - Kamigamo-jinja Shrine Handicraft Market
One of Kyoto’s least visited but most historically important shrines, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is a great place to catch your thoughts up north.
Places to Eat in Central Kyoto
- Sogen
Located on Kawaramachi-dori, a short walk from the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho), Sogen serves healthy and traditional Japanese meals at incredibly reasonable prices. It’s a little gem of a restaurant! - Tonkatsu Butagorira
The oddly-named Tonkatsu Butagorira serves up some super-crispy batter – encasing juicy pork loin cutlets, of course! Eating this cheap and cheerful meal is best paired with a visit to nearby Nijo Castle. - Hyakushokuya Sukiyaki Senka
Hyakushokuya Sukiyaki Senka is unusual in that they sell just 100 portions of their delicious sukiyaki set lunches per day. You’ll have to go early to pick up a ticket. Otherwise, the cost-performance is unbeatable, especially for good wagyu! - Grand Burger
Kyoto’s best hamburgers are served at Grand Burger restaurant, just a short walk east of the north end of the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace Park. - Den Shichi
One of the best and most approachable sushi bars in Kyoto, Den Shichi serves mouth-watering sushi in a classic sushi-bar atmosphere - Izusen
Looking for a vegan meal in beautiful surroundings? Try a shojin-ryori lunch at Izusen in Daitoku-ji Temple. Their gorgeous and elaborate meals are sure to be a highlight of your visit to Kyoto. - Ajiro Honten
Whether you’re vegan or not, gourmands should head to Ajiro Honten near Myoshin-ji Temple to enjoy gorgeously cooked, multi-course Buddhist temple vegan meals. One of their claims to fame: they’re the longest running vegan restaurant in the city to keep their Michelin star. - Towzen
If you’ve always avoided ramen because you’re vegetarian or vegan, you no longer have to worry. Towzen serves up one of Kyoto’s most delicious bowls of soy milk ramen, and it’s completely vegan! - Daitokuji Ikkyu
For great shojin ryori, look no further than Daitokuji Ikkyu. This Zen temple vegetarian restaurant is the oldest existing one of its kind in Kyoto – it’s over 500 years old! - Toraya Ichijoji
Not far from the west side of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, this superb and tranquil tearoom is a great place to sample some traditional Kyoto sweets and excellent green tea. - Sujata
With reasonably priced lunch sets clocking in at under JPY1000 a pop, Sujata is a long-time favourite with Kyoto residents looking for homey vegetarian fare. Head here for nourishing lunches that won’t break the bank. - Bon Bon Cafe
A casual riverside café in the Demachiyanagi area, Bon Bon Café is a great spot for a light meal or a cuppa while in north-central Kyoto - Marukyu Koyamaen Nishinotoin Tea Shop and Teahouse Motoan
At Teahouse Motoan, you can have your cake and eat it – along with a cup of green tea. - Saryo Housen
You’d have to know where to go to find Saryo Housen. One of the city’s finest shops for tea and sweets is located in the suburbs of Central Kyoto, and it’s well worth seeking out. - Zenkashoin
For some wonderful Japanese takes on Western pastries paired with excellent green tea, check out this gallery/café on Muramachi, a short walk northwest of downtown.
Best Budget Hotels, Ryokan and Guesthouses in Central Kyoto
- Hotel Sunroute Kyoto
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The Hotel Sunroute Kyoto is an excellent-value budget to moderate hotel located just south of the downtown shopping district on Kawaramachi-dori. It’s one of the best hotel values in the city - Palace Side Hotel
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An inexpensive traveler’s hotel next to the Imperial Palace, The Palace Side Hotel is a decent choice for budget travelers who want to be based in midtown. - Kyoto Morris Hostel
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With its clean, comfortable dormitories and stylish facilities, Kyoto Morris Hostel near Jingu-Marutamachi Station proves that hostels don’t have to be just for students or backpackers. Great for travellers looking for comfort on a tight budget. - Aranvert Hotel Kyoto
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The Aranvert Hotel Kyoto is an excellent and reasonably priced business hotel in downtown Kyoto, very close to a subway station. The large public baths on the top floor are a huge selling point - Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo-Karasuma
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Like all the other branches in this chain, the Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo Karasuma is a great value for the money. The rooms are small but packed with features. It’s within walking distance of both Shijo and Gojo subways stations, as well as downtown - Ryokan Sakura Hongan-G
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An inexpensive ryokan-style guesthouse on the west side of town, the Ryokan Sakura Hongan-G is a good choice if you don’t mind traveling a bit to see the sights - Hotel Mystays Kyoto
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Hotel Mystays Kyoto is a good budget business hotel on Shijo-dori, just west of downtown. It’s within easy walking distance of Karasuma Shijo subway station - Ryokan Rakucho
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A cheap traveler’s guesthouse at the north end of town, Ryokan Rakucho is popular with long-termers and returnees. It’s a friendly place in a pleasant suburban neighborhood
For more good budget options, see the Downtown Kyoto accommodation section.
Recommended Hotels In Central Kyoto
Best Mid-Range Hotels and Ryokan in Central Kyoto
- Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto
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The Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto is an excellent serviced apartment-style hotel on Gojo-dori, in the heart of Kyoto. It’s close to Gojo subway station and within walking distance of downtown. It’s highly recommended - Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
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Located down a quiet side street slightly west of the main shopping district, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei is a lovely hotel at the upper end of the mid-range category. Rooms here are beautifully outfitted, the staff are great, and breakfast is delicious! - Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
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The Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo is a slightly upscale business hotel located just a bit west of the city center, but within walking distance of Shijo subway station. - Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi
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With its comfortable and relatively spacious rooms, Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi is decent value for money in the mid-range budget category. We like the free coffee in the lobby and super central location! - Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto Gojo
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If you’re looking for an efficient and reasonably priced business hotel in the middle of Kyoto, the Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto Gojo is a great choice. - Noku Hotel
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Located at the southwest corner of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and directly above Marutamachi subway station, the Noku Hotel Kyoto is a smart and comfortable boutique hotel. - ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto
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Overlooking Nijo-jo Castle, the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto is a good mid-range hotel with a variety of onsite facilities. It’s very close to Nijojo-mae subway station. The swimming pool is a nice touch. - Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma
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The Daiwa Roynet is an oddly named but decent hotel just south of the main downtown area. It’s within relatively easy walking distance of the southern Higashiyama sights and the restaurants downtown
For more good moderate options nearby, see the Downtown Kyoto accommodation section.
Best Luxury Hotels and Ryokan in Central Kyoto
- The Junei Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace West
The Junei Hotel is a superb eight-room boutique hotel located across from Nijo-jo Castle. For intimate service, superb Japanese design and fantastic food, the Junei is a great choice. - Kyomachiya Hotel Shiki Juraku
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Shiki Juraku is a “hotel” composed of 10 beautifully restored Kyoto machiya (townhouses). This truly special accommodation offers the chance to experience Kyoto living and the convenience of a hotel. - Hotel Kanra Kyoto
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The Hotel Kanra Kyoto is a beautiful Japanese-themed boutique hotel a short walk south of Gojo subway station. Rooms are spacious, well kept and superbly appointed. Have a look and see why this hotel is attracting a lot of attention lately in Kyoto
For more good luxury options, see the Downtown Kyoto and Southern Higashiyama accommodation sections.
See also the list of Central Kyoto hotels on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Getting to Central Kyoto
- By subway from Kyoto Station: Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Marutamachi or Imadegawa Stations (for the Kyoto Gosho) or to Kitayama Station (for the Kyoto Botanical Garden). Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma-Oike Station, switch to the Tozai
Subway line going west and get off at Nijo-jo-mae for Nijo-jo Castle.
- By bus from Kyoto Station: Kyoto City Bus #4 to Kawaramachi-Marutamachi (about 25 minutes)
- By Keihan Line: Take the Keihan Line north to the last stop, Demachiyanagi, for Shimogamo-jinja Shrine.
- By taxi from Kyoto Station: A taxi from Kyoto Station to the Kyoto Gosho or Nijo-jo Castle will cost about Y1200.
- By bicycle from Kyoto Station: Cycle up the Kamo-gawa River (scenic and uncrowded) or go straight up Karasuma-dori (where you’ll jostle with traffic and wait at lights).
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, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass – here's my explanation of why it's worth it
- A prepaid Icoca card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- Get travel insurance for Japan - World Nomads is well-regarded (and here's why)
