Downtown Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto is loaded with hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. It’s not a main sightseeing destination, but there are some good sights scattered about.

Nishiki Market: Sinseeho / Shutterstock.com

Downtown Kyoto Area Description:

Downtown Kyoto is a roughly square area bounded on the east by the Kamo-gawa River, on the west by Karasuma-dori, on the north by Oike-dori, and on the south by Shijo-dori. Because of its small size, it lends itself to exploration on foot. And, with lots of covered arcades, this is one of the best places to spend a rainy day in the city.

Things to See And Do in Downtown Kyoto

• Nishiki Market
  Known to locals as “Kyoto’s pantry”, Nishiki Market is easily the best traditional food market in the city
• Daimaru Basement Food Floor
  Daimaru Department Store’s basement food floor is arguably the best food market in the entire city
• Takashimaya Basement Food Floor
  Takashimaya Basement Food Floor is one of the most impressive food markets you’ll find anywhere
• Pontocho Alley
  Arguably the single most atmospheric street in all of Kyoto, Pontocho Alley is a great place to do some geisha spotting in the evening
• The Kyoto International Manga Museum
  The Kyoto International Manga Museum is the best manga museum in the entire country. If you’re a fan of Japanese comics, don’t miss it!
• Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades
  These two covered shopping arcades are the most popular shopping streets in all of Kyoto, and they’re often crammed with kids out on school excursions

Recommended Hotels In Downtown Kyoto

Kyoto Hotel OkuraLuxuryBook Now

ibis Styles ShijoMid RangeBook Now

Mitsui GardenMid RangeBook Now

Super HotelBudgetBook Now

Places to Eat in Downtown Kyoto

• Kane-yo
  Kane-yo is one the best places in Kyoto to sample unagi (eel). The place positively oozes “old Kyoto” charm and the unagi is delicious.
• Kerala
  Kerala is one of the best Indian restaurants in Kyoto, and its downtown location make it the perfect place to fuel up while doing some shopping.
• No Name Ramen
  This ramen shop may be nameless, but it’s made a name for itself in Kyoto.
• Tenyu
  Fresh ingredients superbly deep-fried in crisp batter – what’s not to like about tempura? Tenyu near Kyotoshiyakushomae Station has some of the best in Kyoto. Head over there to have your idea of tempura redefined.
• Katsukura Sanjo Main Shop
  Widely known as Katsukura, this restaurant’s tonkatsu is a cut above many places: the pork is excellent, and the sauce is homemade. Plus, the Sanjo main shop in downtown Kyoto serves tasty crab croquettes and chicken cutlets – perfect when not everyone wants to eat the same thing!
• Akagakiya
  If you’re into non-touristy dining, you’re in luck. Ultra-local Akagakiya near Sanjo serves up a slice of old-school Kyoto atmosphere along with its tasty izakaya classics.
• Anzukko
  Anzukko, a gyoza bar located down a small alley near Sanjo Station, merits multiple visits. We love this pocket-sized slip of a restaurant for their excellent, inventive gyoza.
• Kushikura
  For refined yakitori in traditional surroundings, Kushikura is a sure bet. Because they can do shio-yaki (salt-grilled) chicken, it’s a good choice gluten-free diners.
• Mumokuteki Café
  Mumokuteki Café is one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Kyoto. The food is great and it’s right in the middle of downtown.
• Yoshikawa Tempura
  Yoshikawa Tempura serves Kyoto’s best tempura in a beautiful old wooden building built around a sublime Japanese garden
• Misoka-an Kawamichi-ya
  For excellent soba and udon in superb traditional Kyoto surroundings, check out this longstanding Kyoto classic.
• Tousuiro
  If you think you know tofu, think again! The artisans at this branch of a famed Kyoto tofu restaurant chain do more with tofu than you’d have thought possible.
• Kikkoya
  Eating out in Kyoto doesn’t have to be fancy, multi-course affairs all the time. We love obanzai places like Kikkoya in downtown Kyoto, which serve up homestyle cooking that’s heavy on the vegetables as well as flavour.
• Honke Owariya
  Located in an atmospheric old wooden building, Honke Owariya is arguably the best soba restaurant in all of Kyoto.
• Ippudo Ramen
  Ippudo Ramen is our favorite ramen joint in all of Kyoto. The soup and noodles are sublime and the accompanying dumplings crispy and delicious.
• Toriyasu
  There’s a reason Toriyasu has been in business for over 50 years: their oyako-don (chicken and egg rice bowl) is quick, affordable and consistently delicious.
• Tentenyu Shijo-Karasuma
  Tentenyu Shijo-Karasuma is our favorite ramen shop in downtown Kyoto. Their chicken soup ramen is fantastic and they serve other delights like gyoza and kimchee.
• City Bakery
  Breakfast is a tough meal in Japan: If you want a Western-style breakfast and your lodgings don’t serve it, where do you go? City Bakery is an answer to that question.
• Goodman Roaster
  Located a very short walk southwest of downtown (near the Shijo-Karasuma intersection), Goodman Roaster serves some of the best coffee in Kyoto. It’s a low-key and chilled out place for a nice pick-me-up.
• Inoichi
  Inoichi is a tiny 10-seater ramen joint in downtown Kyoto that’s completely worth the wait.
• Bajitofu
  You won’t have to wander far out of downtown Kyoto to find great yakitori. Bajitofu is a centrally-located izakaya serving some of the best in town. Reservations recommended.
• Guilo Guilo Hitoshina
  Located in a renovated warehouse south of Gion-Shijo Station, Guilo Guilo Hitoshina offers a delicious, modern take on kaiseki cuisine at ridiculously affordable prices.
• Suiba Shijo Karawamachiten
  For a fun, inexpensive night out with friends, try a standing izakaya like Suiba in Shijo Kawaramachi. Good, cheap food and drink – what more could you ask for from dinner?
• Tiger Gyoza Kawaramachi
  We don’t believe in being snobby about chain restaurants – some in Japan serve excellent food. One of our favourites is Tiger Gyoza, where you can eat a wide variety of great dumplings. Whether they’re pan-fried, boiled, fried, or vegetarian, this place has it all.
• Ganko Sushi
  A vast downtown sushi specialist, Ganko Sushi is one of the most approachable and reasonably priced sushi places in Kyoto.
• Smart Coffee
  Retro kissaten Smart Coffee in Teramachi Shopping Arcade not only serves fantastic coffee, their egg sandwiches are also killer. Sparing some time for breakfast or tea here is a no-brainer!
• % Arabica Fujii Daimaru
  For a quick cup of excellent coffee downtown, head to this ultra-stylish coffee shop on the ground floor of Fujii Daimaru department store.
• Renkon-ya
  Centrally located, friendly, and serves delicious homestyle food – what’s not to like about Renkon-ya? This izakaya in downtown Kyoto near Sanjo Station is a cozy little restaurant that’s popular with the locals.
• Otafuku
  For a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto, drop by Otafuku in Kawaramachi. Though it’s right in the heart of the city, you’ll be whisked away to another world in this retro kissaten.
• Pontocho Izumoya
  Located along the Kamogawa River, Pontocho Izumoya has been serving up deliciously tender and smoky eel for over a century now. As a bonus, it’s pretty tourist-friendly, too.
• Ain Soph Journey
  For easily acccessible vegan food, head to Ain Soph Journey right off Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcade. The food is decent, but their desserts are even better.

Shopping in Downtown Kyoto

• Ippodo
  Ippodo is the best place in Kyoto to buy green tea, including both leaf tea and powdered tea (matcha). The store is incredibly atmospheric and samples are available.
• Morita Washi
  Morita Washi is our favorite shop in Kyoto. Full stop. Specializing in washi (Japanese handmade paper), this place is an artist’s dream come true.
• Aritsugu
  Japan is known the world over for the quality of its knives, and Aritsugu, a knife specialist in Nishiki Market, makes some of the best in the country.
• Takashiyama
  The Takashimiya Resutoran-gai (restaurant floor) is a great place to eat while exploring downtown Kyoto.
• Daimaru
  Daimaru is one of Kyoto’s two largest and most opulent department stores, with everything from elite international brands to one of the best food floors in all of Japan.
• Bel Amer Sanjo Store
  Bel Amer is the Kyoto outpost of a famed Tokyo chocolatier. They sell distinctive sweets with Kyoto themes, flavors and packaging.
• Muji BAL Building Branch
  A great shop for travel goods, interior goods, clothes and gifts, Muji is definitely worth checking one when you’re downtown.
• Nomura Tailor
  If you’re interested in sewing or other needlecrafts, then you must pay a visit to the fantastic Nomura Tailor shop when in Kyoto.
• Antiques Kimono Lily Kyoto
  Lily is our favorite place in town to buy used kimono and yukata. The people who run the place are super friendly and helpful and the selection is great. And, it’s right in the middle of downtown.
• Zohiko
  As much a museum as a shop, Zohiko is Kyoto’s finest lacquerware store. If you’re after a really high quality piece of lacquerware, look no further.
• Fujii-Daimaru Department Store
  Fujii-Daimaru is a small department store in downtown Kyoto with a strong focus on youth fashion. The basement food floor (known as Tavelt) is quite good here.
• Tavelt Food Floor
  Located in the basement of Fujii-Daimaru Department Store, Tavelt is a small but excellent food floor. The takeaway sushi and sashimi is especially strong.
• Yaoichi
  Yaoichi is an elegant and slightly posh supermarket right in the heart of Kyoto’s downtown shopping district. It’s a fantastic place to buy fixings for a picnic lunch or a great dinner back at your hotel.
• Pagong Sanjo Branch
  Pagong sells shirts, blouses and dresses made of traditional yuzen-dyed kimono fabrics. They make truly distinctive souvenirs and gifts.
• Apple Kyoto
  If you’re in need of something for your Mac or a whole new Mac, then head to Apple Kyoto. It’s right downtown on Shijo, in the heart of Kyoto’s shopping district.
• Issey Miyake Kyoto
  If you’re a fan of Japanese designer Issey Miyake, you must visit the new Issey Miyake store in downtown Kyoto. It’s in a superb old Kyoto machiya.
• Kamiji Kakimoto
  Kamiji Kakimoto is one of the best places in Kyoto to buy washi (Japanese handmade paper).

Check Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Mon 14 Oct 2024

Check-out date

Tue 15 Oct 2024

Best Luxury Hotels and Ryokan in Downtown Kyoto

• Tawaraya
  Tawaraya is the finest ryokan in Kyoto and, arguably, the finest in all Japan. Private gardens and incredible attention to detail make it a very special Kyoto experience
• Hiiragiya
  The Hiiragiya is one of the finest ryokan in Kyoto. The service, décor and common areas are impeccable
• Kyoto Hotel Okura
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Kyoto Hotel Okura is a fine hotel with extremely reasonable rates and an unbeatable downtown location (it’s directly connected to the Kyotoshiyakusho-mae subway station in the middle of downtown). It’s highly recommended
• Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A true international luxury hotel on the banks of the Kamo-gawa River in the heart of the city, the Ritz-Carlton is easily one of the best hotels in Kyoto.
• Mimaru Kyoto Nishinotoin Takasuji
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Mimaru Kyoto Nishinotoin Takasuji may be hard to pronounce, but it’s easy to love, especially for families. Indeed, we’re going to go out on a limb and say that it’s the best family hotel in Kyoto. Your kids will love the Pokémon room!
• Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  For families and groups who want spacious and well-appointed suites right downtown, the Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo is a sure bet. This apartment-style hotel is among the best family hotels in the city.
• Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei
  (View on Booking.com)
  The Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei is a luxurious onsen ryokan-style hotel in the heart of Kyoto. Each room includes a private outdoor bath with commanding views. It’s perfect for those who want the best of a ryokan and a hotel in a convenient downtown location.
• Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Overlooking Nijo-jo Castle on the west side of the downtown area, Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto is a grand hotel with spacious rooms decorated with beautiful Japanese touches.

Best Vacation Rentals and Machiya in Downtown Kyoto

• Iori Machiya Stay
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  For a true Kyoto experience, nothing beats a stay in a real Kyoto machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse). Iori offers 11 superb machiya rentals in central Kyoto.
• Aoi Kyoto Stay
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Aoi Kyoto Stay is a collection of beautifully restored Kyoto machiya (traditional townhouses) that have been converted into accommodations. While they retain their classic Kyoto interiors, Western comforts like beds, showers and floor heating have been added. These houses offer you the rare chance to experience traditional Japanese living without sacrificing your comfort. They are perfect for couples and families. Highly recommended!

Best Mid-Range Hotels and Ryokan in Downtown Kyoto

• Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Opened in 2016, the Solaria Nishitetsu commands one of the very best locations in all of Kyoto. It’s a stylish hotel with very reasonable rates given the location and quality.
• Villa Sanjo Muromachi Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Villa Sanjo Muromachi Kyoto is a real find: A boutique hotel right on the edge of downtown with large rooms, reasonable rates and a super welcoming staff. If you’re looking for a small hotel in the midrange bracket, you’ll love this place.
• Nagi Kyoto Shijo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Just steps from the heart of downtown, this lovely little boutique hotel is an excellent find. With lovely Japanese-style décor and a helpful staff, it’s a great value for the money.
• Hotel Rings Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  We love this small and stylish hotel that’s located steps from Nishiki Market in the heart of downtown Kyoto. With warm personal service and excellent style, this place gets it all right.
• The Machiya Ebisuya
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  On the southern edge of downtown, the Machiya Ebisuya is a Japanese-style boutique hotel with stylish rooms, a helpful staff and reasonable rates.
• Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  With a fantastic location right in the heart of downtown Kyoto, the Royal Park is an efficient and reasonably priced business hotel perfect for a short stay in Kyoto.
• The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takesegawa by Hulic
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located directly in the heart of downtown Kyoto, the spacious and stylish Gate Hotel Kyoto by Takasegawa is a superb value that feels like a luxury hotel, but with mid-level rates.
• Tsugu Kyoto Sanjo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com).
  Right in the heart of downtown on bustling Sanjo Street, the Tsugu Kyoto Sanjo is a very reasonably priced and stylish hotel that’s great for flashpackers, couples and families.
• The General Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi
  (View on Booking.com).
  Close to the downtown core, the General Kyoto is a very reasonably priced and stylish hotel with features like laundry facilities, spacious rooms, and some accessible rooms.
• Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com).
  The Mitsui Garden on Sanjo is a business hotel with quite a few extras thrown in. It’s a short walk from the Karasuma-Oike subway station.
• Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com).
  Next door to Takashimaya Department Store (ie, right downtown), the Good Nature Hotel is a pleasantly “green” hotel built around a soaring and light-filled lobby. Rooms are spacious, the breakfast is healthy and the staff tries hard to please.
• Granbell Hotel Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
  If you’re looking for a stylish hotel right in the heart of the Gion entertainment district, at a reasonable price, you should take a close look at the Kyoto Granbell Hotel.
• Hotel Grand Bach Kyoto Select
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Grand Bach Kyoto is a very reasonably priced business hotel with a little style and a great location right smack in the middle of downtown.
• Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto brings the onsen ryokan (traditional hot spring inn) experience to the urban landscape of Kyoto. With baths on an upper floor overlooking the Kamo-gawa River and a location right downtown, it’s an excellent choice for those who want to combine the pleasures of an onsen with the convenience of a hotel.
• Hotel Monterey Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Monterey Kyoto is a step up from a business hotel. It’s conveniently located right on Karasuma-dori, within walking distance of all of downtown Kyoto.
• Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Right in the heart of the downtown Kyoto shopping district, the Gracery is a well-run moderate hotel with small but comfortable rooms and everything you need for a short stay.
• Hotel Vista Premio (formerly Best Western Hotel Kyoto)
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Hotel Vista Premio (formerly the Best Western Hotel Kyoto) is a great hotel right in the heart of the city. It’s a stone’s throw from some great restaurants and two subway stations.
• Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Karasuma Kyoto Hotel is a conveniently-located business hotel just south of Kyoto’s main downtown shopping district. It’s starting to show it’s age, but the prices and convenient location make it a decent choice. Note that single rooms are very cheap here.
• Hirashin Ryokan
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Hirashin Ryokan is a good modern ryokan located in the heart of downtown. It’s recommended for travelers who want to sample a ryokan without blowing the bank.

Best Budget Hotels, Ryokan and Guesthouses in Downtown Kyoto

• Hotel Musse Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Right in the bustling heart of downtown, the Musse Kyoto is a budget hotel that is perfect for a few nights in Kyoto.
• Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oike Fuyacho
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A modern mid-range hotel conveniently located in downtown Kyoto, Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oikefuyacho offers clean, tastefully decorated rooms in the heart of the city. We love the public bath!
• Piece Hostel Sanjo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Piece Hostel Sanjo is the best hostel in the city – and that’s saying a lot, because there are some great hostels in Kyoto. It’s right downtown, it’s got a fantastic lounge, a rooftop bar, and it’s a great place to meet other travelers.
• Hearton Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  If you’re looking for a central Kyoto location, spacious rooms and really competitive prices, the Hearton Hotel Kyoto is a great choice.
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto ShijoKarasuma
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A decent economy hotel located in the heart of downtown Kyoto, Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma is a comfortable city hotel that’s good value for money. We suggest skipping breakfast; the amenities are good.
• Anshin-Oyado Premiere Kyoto Shijo Karasuma
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A stay at Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Premium Kyoto Shijo Karasuma is like signing up for a spa retreat. Amazing baths, comfortable beds, great breakfast, peaceful surroundings – capsule hotel experiences don’t get better than this!
• Hotel Mystays Kyoto Shijo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Situated a short walk west of Shijo-Karasuma and Shijo stations, Hotel Mystays Kyoto Shijo is a good and inexpensive downtown hotel. Rooms are comfortable, and the multiple bus connections nearby make it a great base for exploring the rest of the city.
• ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo (formerly Hotel Unizo Kyoto Shijo Karasuma)
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located a little west of Shijo-Karasuma Station, ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo (formerly Hotel Unizo Kyoto Shijo Karasuma) is well-run budget hotel offering compact, comfortable rooms at reasonable rates. It’s a good value for money.
• Super Hotel Shijyo Kawaramachi
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Super Hotel Shijyo Kawaramachi is a no-frills business hotel that is perfect for single travelers. It’s right downtown, very close to Nishiki Market.
• Hotel Gimmond Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Hotel Gimmond is a decent business hotel on Oike-dori, a short walk from the Karasuma-Oike subway station. It’s a bit dated, but the price is right.
• The Millennials Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Its name might be a little groan-inducing, but The Millennials Kyoto isn’t a bad choice if you’re looking for a capsule hotel experience. It’s comfortable, clean, and great for meeting fellow travelers.
• We Base Kyoto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Who said hostels had to be low-quality? WeBase Kyoto near Shijo Station is comfortable without feeling cheap, and beautifully designed to boot. It’s great for discerning backpackers travelling on a budget.
• Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
  With its central location and clean, stylish rooms, Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo is a good choice in the mid-range category.
• The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Shijokarasuma
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located a stone’s throw from Karasuma Station, the Pocket Hotel is a decent budget option for travelers who want to be in downtown Kyoto. It’s cheap and clean, and will satisfy most travelers. Just don’t expect perfection.

Getting to Downtown Kyoto:

• From Kyoto Station: Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station (preferred) or Karasuma-Oike Station.
• On foot from Kyoto Station: Walk straight north on Karasuma-dori or along the Kamo-gawa River for about 20 minutes.
• By Hankyu Line (from Osaka etc): Get off at Karasuma or Kawaramachi stations.
• By Keihan Line (from Osaka etc): Get off at Gion Shijo or Sanjo Keihan Stations.

Kyoto District Map

• Arashiyama
• Central Kyoto
• Northwest Kyoto
• Nishijin
• Northern Higashiyama
• Southern Higashiyama
• Downtown Kyoto
• Kyoto Station Area
• South East Kyoto