A mid-sized hotel with a great restaurant, on-site bakery and rooftop bar/lounge a stone’s throw from the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district, the Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto is an excellent value and a compelling choice in this category.
Nohga Hotel exterior
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto At A Glance
- Great for: couples, families, small groups, foodies, those who want easy access to Southern Higashiyama
- Strong points: location (very close to sights, but within walking distance of a train station and downtown), great restaurant, rooftop lounge, warm and efficient service
- Sample rates: from US$250 to $450 per night for standard rooms
Rooftop bar and lounge
The Nohga sits near the top of Gojo-dori Street in Kyoto, at the base of the hill leading up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the rest of the Southern Higashiyama Sightseeing district. At the bottom of Gojo-dori, about five minutes’ walk away, is Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Line, which offers easy north-south access to other parts of Kyoto and on to Osaka. Downtown and Kyoto Station are both within reasonable walking distance. So, the location here is good, especially for those who want easy access to the sights.
Restaurant and lounge
The hotel’s restaurant is one of its main selling points and I know several area residents who go there on weekends to enjoy the wonderful breakfast. The bread and pastries turned out by the on-site bakery are excellent. The restaurant is not cheap, but if you want the option of “eating at home” during your stay, it’s a real bonus. And up on the roof, there’s an amazing rooftop bar and lounge which offers great views over Kyoto. You have to book in advance because it’s so popular.
Deluxe twin room
The rooms here are immaculate and have everything you need, including rain showers and bathtubs. Beds are very comfortable and there’s also free Netflix in the rooms, which is nice for a rainy night.
Fitness room
This hotel chain prides itself on excellent service and the staff here in Kyoto are first-rate. They can help with all kinds of questions and the level of English spoken is high. The rates here are midrange and the Nohga is an excellent value for what you pay.
Name in English:
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Name in Japanese:
ノーガホテル清水京都
English address:
4-450-1 Gojobashi-Higashi Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-city, Kyoto 605-0846
Japanese address:
〒605-0846京都府京都市東山区五条橋東4丁目450番1号
Price range: moderate
Nearest Transport:
7-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Line
Telephone: 81-75-323-7120
Website: nohgahotel.com/kiyomizu/en/
:: Check availability and pricing for Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
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
- A prepaid Welcome 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
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
