Kyoto has a huge range of hotels to suit all budgets and tastes. Here are our top picks in every budget category and class. All of these are personally inspected and chosen based on location, quality and value.
The Old Modern Garden Suite
Kyoto has a huge range of accommodation, from traditional style like The Old Modern to international brands like the Hyatt Regency. In my carefully curated hotel recommendations listed below, I only include hotels in good locations. If you’d like more information on the best neighborhoods to stay in, check out Where to Stay in Kyoto.
Hyatt Regency guest room
As well as browsing our Kyoto hotel choices, it’s worth searching on Booking.com and Agoda.com to see if there are any special discounts or special offers available for the dates of your stay. While you are there you can read reviews left by previous guests too.
Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
Kyoto has some fine luxury hotels, including offerings from top international hotel brands. We’ve picked and ranked the best of the best. Browse our recommended luxury hotels in Kyoto.
Ritz Carlton Kyoto guestroom
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Kyoto
Some of the best values in Kyoto accommodations can be found in the mid-range bracket. Here’s where you’ll find hotels a step up from standard-issue business hotels, but with prices more humane than those charged by the luxury chains. Browse our recommended mid-range hotels in Kyoto.
Cross Hotel Kyoto corner king room © Chris Rowthorn.
Best Budget Hotels in Kyoto
Fear not: You can find comfortable and clean budget hotels in Kyoto for less than it would cost in most major Western cities. We cover standard hotels, as well as capsule hotels and modern hostels. Browse our recommended budget hotels in Kyoto.
Hotel Sunroute Kyoto – image © Booking.com
Best Kyoto Hotels for Families
We know what it’s like to travel with children. Here’s a list of the best Kyoto hotels for families that we’ve personally inspected. Browse our recommended family hotels in Kyoto.
The Thousand Kyoto exterior © Chris Rowthorn.
Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
Why not stay in an intimate and original boutique hotel while in Kyoto? We’ve personally inspected all the boutique hotels listed here. Browse our recommended boutique hotels in Kyoto.
Junei Hotel guestroom – image © Chris Rowthorn
The Best Places To Stay In Kyoto
Kyoto is packed with great accommodation, but how to find the true standouts? Here is a list of what we consider to be the best places to stay in Kyoto. Browse our recommended places to stay in Kyoto.
Ritz Carlton Kyoto
Best Value Hotels In Kyoto
If you’re looking to get maximum bang for your buck, these Kyoto properties (from across all price ranges) represent superb value for money. Browse our recommended best value hotels in Kyoto.
Solaria Nishitetsu guest room
The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto
If you’re heading to Kyoto with someone special, you’ll want to stay in a truly romantic hotel or ryokan. Here are our top picks. Browse our recommended best romantic hotels in Kyoto.
The Old Modern Garden Suite
Kyoto Vacation Rentals
Kyoto has some truly memorable vacation rentals. We’ve selected the best Japanese-style vacation rentals so you and your family or friends can sample the Japanese way of living. Browse our recommended best vacation rentals in Kyoto.
Amber House interior
Kyoto Machiya (Traditional Kyoto Townhouses)
A machiya is a traditional Kyoto townhouse. They combine the very best elements of a ryokan (traditional design and soothing architecture) with the convenience and comfort of a vacation rental. Browse our recommended best machida in Kyoto.
Indigo House interior
Kyoto Ryokan
If you want the full Japanese experience, you should try a night in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). We list the very best ryokan in the city, in every budget class. Browse our recommended best ryokan in Kyoto.
Izuyasu Ryokan guestroom
Best Kyoto Hostels and Capsule Hotels
Kyoto is loaded with cheap, well-run budget accommodations, making the city a natural choice for backpackers. Here’s a list of the best guesthouses in Kyoto, all of which we’ve personally inspected. Browse our recommended best hostels and capsule hotels in Kyoto.
Kyoto Morris Hostel – image © Booking.com
Where To Stay If Kyoto Is Fully Booked
Kyoto’s hotels and ryokan can be fully booked in March, April, May, October and November. But don’t give up if you can’t find a room in Kyoto! You can stay nearby in Osaka, Otsu, Nara or even Nagoya. Browse our recommended places to stay if Kyoto is fully booked.
Osaka skyline
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
- Should You Stay In A Ryokan, Hotel, Machiya, Or Airbnb In Kyoto?
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- HOTELS – Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- PACKING LIST – See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- SIM CARDS – 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
- FLIGHTS – Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – 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
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
Kyoto District Map
Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation
About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn
- Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
- A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
- InsideKyoto.com has been cited by the New York Times and The Times of London, among many other publications and websites.
