Inside Kyoto

A Kyoto Travel Guide

Where To Stay In Kyoto 2026

Where is the best place to stay in Kyoto? Here’s the simple answer based on my 20 years of living in the city and the experiences of my friends, family and hundreds of clients.

Exterior of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Southern Higashiyama with garages and forecourt, glass fronts with traditional style Japanese roofs, in front of a tree-covered hill and brilliant blue sky.
Park Hyatt Hotel in Southern Higashiyama © Chris Rowthorn

Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Kyoto?

As of January 2026, the following are the best, most convenient areas to stay in Kyoto, listed in order of priority:

  1. Downtown Kyoto
  2. Southern Higashiyama
  3. Kyoto Station Area
  4. Central Kyoto
  5. Northern Higashiyama
  6. Arashiyama

Below are details about each area along with handpicked hotel and ryokan recommendations and our Where To Stay In Kyoto map.

Traditional style buildings jostle with modern structures on a lit-up street in Downtown Kyoto.
Sanjo Street in Downtown Kyoto © Jun Kitayama

Downtown Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto is the best place to stay for most people. It’s usually where I stay and where many of my guests stay. Why? Because it’s within walking distance of thousands of restaurants, shops and bars, as well as both of the city’s subway lines and two train lines. It’s also within walking distance of two of the city’s main sightseeing areas: Southern Higashiyama and Northern Higashiyama.

Key Points

  • Positives: convenient, tons of restaurants and shops, good transport connections
  • Negatives: can be crowded
  • Best for: young people, couples, shoppers, night owls

Here are a few pics that our contributor Jun Kitayama took recently to give you a feeling for Downtown Kyoto on street level:

Street-level view of the modern shops lining Kyoto’s Shijo Street on a lit-up evening in Downtown Kyoto.
Shijo Street in Downtown Kyoto in the evening © Jun Kitayama
Long view of Kyoto’s Kamogawa River with people sitting along the banks and the riverfront buildings to the right.
Downtown Kyoto and the Kamogawa River © Jun Kitayama

Best Places To Stay In Downtown Kyoto

Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Downtown Kyoto are:

The living area of a corner twin room in the Hotel Okura Kyoto with two windows looking out of the city rooftops.
Deluxe corner twin at Hotel Okura Kyoto © Chris Rowthorn
  • Local Luxury: Hotel Okura Kyoto – The Hotel Okura Kyoto has the most convenient location of any hotel in Kyoto (it’s right downtown and directly above a subway line). I often stay here when I can get a good rate and I’m always happy to be here. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Living area with sofa and wood panelling in Ritz-Carlton Kyoto guest room with view over Kamo River, tiled rooftops, and buildings on the opposite bank.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
  • International Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto – 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. When I inspected this hotel shortly after it opened, I was knocked out by the views over the river. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Traditional Japan interior in the Shorai room at Tawaraya ryokan in Kyoto, Japan, with open screen leading to garden area.
Shorai room at Tawaraya ryokan © Chris Rowthorn
  • Ryokan: 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. Read my review of a night I spent at Tawaraya.
Corner king room in the Cross Hotel, Kyoto, with bed to the right, living area to the front, including easy chair and footrest, coffee table with two armchairs, TV, and floor lamp, as well as city views beyond.
Cross Hotel corner king room © Chris Rowthorn
  • Mid-Range: The Cross Hotel Kyoto is a mid-range hotel that feels a bit like a luxury hotel. It’s right in the middle of downtown and it’s beautiful. I have stayed in a corner king here and I loved looking down on the action of downtown from my room. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Twilight view of the canal running alongside the exterior of The Gate Hotel Takasegawa in Kyoto and foregrounded by autumnal trees overlooking the water.
Exterior view of The Gate Hotel Takasegawa by Hulic in Downtown Kyoto @ Jun Kitayama
  • Mid-Range: The Gate Hotel Takesegawa by Hulic – With one of the best locations in the entire city, spacious rooms and an elegant feeling, the Gate Hotel Takasegawa is one of the best hotel values in the city. It feels like a luxury hotel but rates as solidly mid-range. I’ve stayed in Gate Hotels in Japan and loved them. Highly recommended. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Nighttime view of the contemporary Resol Trinity hotel building in Kyoto, Japan, with illuminated windows and floor lanterns outside the main entrance
Resol Trinity
Atmospherically lit lobby area of the Insomnia Kyoto Oike hotel with plenty of soft seating, tall potted plants, and the hotel name in soft neon
Insomnia Kyoto Oike lobby
  • Budget: Insomnia Kyoto Oike – We don’t know how they do it, but this budget hotel feels solidly mid-range and it’s just steps from the most important subway stop in Kyoto (Karasauma-Oike, where both lines intersect). View on Booking.com.

You may also want to consider brand-new properties that have opened in Kyoto in the last year in Downtown Kyoto such as the Hilton Kyoto and Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier. See our Best New Hotels In Kyoto 2026 page for more details.

See our full list of recommended hotels on the Downtown Kyoto page.

A few visitors walk along the wide paved walkway alongside traditional wooden Japanese buildings on Nene-no-Michi in Kyoto.
Nene-no-Michi in Southern Higashiyama © Chris Rowthorn

Southern Higashiyama

Southern Higashiyama is also a great place to be based. I often stay in machiya (traditional townhouses) in this district because I love walking the magical lanes here in the early evening, when the crowds have gone home. It’s near some of the city’s most impressive sights and there are plenty of restaurants scattered about, especially if you stay in or near Gion.

Key Points

  • Positives: close to the sights, beautiful lanes, close to downtown
  • Negatives: can be crowded in busy seasons
  • Best for: couples, families, anyone

Here are a few pics I took recently in Southern Higashiyama to give you a feeling of the area:

A couple walks along the wide paved walkway outside the exterior of the Hotel Seiryu Kiyomizu in Southern Higashiyama, Kyoto.
Hotel Seiryu Kiyomizu in Southern Higashiyama © Chris Rowthorn
The paved Ishibei-koji Lane with stone walls around the gardens of Southern Higashiyama.
Ishibei-koji Lane in Southern Higashiyama © Chris Rowthorn

Best Places To Stay In Southern Higashiyama

Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Southern Higashiyama are

Large double bed next to living area with sofa and desk, looking out onto a lush garden, in the Four Seasons hotel Kyoto, Japan.
Four Seasons Kyoto
Exterior of the traditional Amber House ryokan building in Kyoto, Japan, with stone foundations, wooden panelling and slatted door, and rush mats across the windows.
Exterior of Amber House © Amber House
  • Vacation Rental: Amber House – Amber House in Gion is a magical traditional Japanese house on a quiet street just steps away from the city’s most important sightseeing district. Read our review.
Traditional interior of the Yuzuya ryokan in Kyoto, Japan, with low table and seats, tatami mat flooring, wooden panelled ceiling, and screens leading to outside.
Yuzuya Ryokan
Smart, modern, and minimal guest room in the Celestine Hotel Gion with king-sized bed, arm chairs beside the window, and details such as a traditional tea set.
The Celestine Hotel Gion guest room © Chris Rowthorn
  • Mid-Range: The Celestine Hotel Gion is a fantastic little hotel within easy walking distance of the sights of Southern Higashiyama and Downtown Kyoto. It’s one of those places that gets everything right and the rates are extremely reasonable. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Contemporary minimalist interiors in a guestroom of the RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka with wooden desk and chair and exposed lightbulb, as well as sink and mirror
RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka
  • Budget: RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka – RC Hotel Kyoto Yasaka isn’t your run-of-the-mill, conventionally designed hotel. This boutique hotel right in the heart of Higashiyama is a real hidden gem with personal touches galore. The sunsets from the roof terrace are stunning too! Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

You may also want to check out a fantastic hotel that just opened in Southern Higashiyama in August 2024: Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. See our Best New Hotels In Kyoto 2026 page for more details.

See our full list of recommended hotels on the Southern Higashiyama page.

Recommended Mid Range Hotels In Kyoto
Cross HotelCross HotelUnbeatable location and comfortable roomsMore Info
Solaria NishitetsuSolaria NishitetsuStylish, intimate hotel
in downtown KyotoMore Info
Mimaru KyotoMimaru KyotoJapanese-style apartments close to downtownMore Info
Noku HotelNoku HotelSmart and comfortable boutique hotelMore Info

Street-level view on the north side of Kyoto Station with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk and many street signs.
North Side of Kyoto Station @ Jun Kitayama

Kyoto Station Area

Kyoto Station is a good place to be based. I often stay here when I need to do a lot of train travel around central Japan. There are plenty of great shops and restaurants in or near the station, including AEON Mall, which is great for families. The only real downside is that you’ll need to travel to do your sightseeing in Kyoto, but most places are an easy 10- or 15-minute subway or taxi ride away.

Key Points

  • Positives: transport hub, lots of restaurants and shops
  • Negatives: a bit far from most sights
  • Best for: families, people who want to explore Kansai

Here are some pics that InsideKyoto contributor Jun Kitayama and I took of the Kyoto Station Area:

Street-level view of the distinctive triangular corner at the base of the Nidec Kyoto Tower, which is just visible, opposite the north exit of Kyoto Station.
Near the north exit of Kyoto Station © Jun Kitayama
Raised walkway view of a street on the south side of Kyoto Station, with an empty road and squat buildings opposite.
South side of Kyoto Station © Chris Rowthorn

Best Places To Stay In The Kyoto Station Area

Our top hotel and ryokan picks in the Kyoto Station Area are

Living area with sofa and two matching armchairs, with double bed next to a nighttime view of the city in the Hotel Granvia, Kyoto, Japan.
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
  • Luxury: Hotel Granvia Kyoto – The Kyoto Hotel Granvia is not only the best hotel in the Kyoto Station area, it’s also the most convenient, since it located directly above the station itself. I stayed here recently in one of the deluxe rooms and it was superb. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
A contemporary update on the traditional Japanese ryokan style with slatted sofa and matching armchairs, wooden flooring, and screen leading to outside area in Izuyasu, Kyoto, Japan.
Izuyasu
  • Ryokan: Izuyasu – The Izuyasu is a classic traditional ryokan within walking distance of Kyoto Station. It’s one of the best places to get the full ryokan experience without paying the rates of the more famous places downtown. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Four comfortable beds of different sizes in a Hotel Vischio Kyoto family room.
Hotel Vischio Kyoto
The lobby and dining / bar area of the Sakura Terrace hotel in Kyoto, Japan.
Sakura Terrace
  • Budget: Sakura Terrace – If you don’t mind being south of Kyoto Station, the Sakura Terrace is a great choice in the budget to moderate price range. It’s an efficient and welcoming hotel with highly competitive rates. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

You may also want to check out two new hotels that opened recently in the Kyoto Station Area: Dusit Thai Kyoto and Doubletree by Hilton Kyoto Station. See our Best New Hotels In Kyoto 2026 page for more details.

See our full list of recommended hotels on the Kyoto Station Area page.

Recommended Luxury Hotels In Kyoto
Ritz-Carlton KyotoRitz-Carlton KyotoBest location of any
hotel in townMore Info
Hyatt Regency KyotoHyatt Regency KyotoSpacious rooms and
great restaurantsMore Info
Four Seasons KyotoFour Seasons KyotoHidden sanctuary in Southern HigashiyamaMore Info
Kyoto Hotel OkuraKyoto Hotel OkuraFine hotel with
unbeatable locationMore Info

Wide view of Gojo-Kawaramachi intersection in Central Kyoto with traffic in both directions and the Hotel Tavinos to the right.
Gojo-Kawaramachi intersection in Central Kyoto © Jun Kitayama

Central Kyoto

Central Kyoto encompasses a huge area in the middle of the city. There are several good hotels in Central Kyoto that aren’t too far from downtown and the subway lines. The downside with staying in Central Kyoto is that you’ll probably have to travel to the main sightseeing districts as well as the restaurants and nightlife of downtown.

Key Points

  • Positives: wide streets, quiet
  • Negatives: can be far from sights
  • Best for: families, couples, those who want quiet

Here’s a pic of Central Kyoto that our contributor Jun Kitayama recently took in Central Kyoto:

A long, slightly raised view of Gojo-Kawaramachi intersection in Central Kyoto, lined with buildings, with traffic in both directions.
Gojo-Kawaramachi intersection in Central Kyoto © Jun Kitayama

Best Places To Stay In Central Kyoto

Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Central Kyoto are

Partial view of the bed with floor-level seating and tables in the living area of a Genji Kyoto hotel guestroom with a daytime view of city building and green hills beyond.
Genji Kyoto
  • Luxury: Genji Kyoto – Our favorite boutique hotel in Kyoto, the Genji is a real find as it offers a high level of luxury at reasonable prices. I was lucky enough to spend a few days here recently and I loved the room, the neighborhood and the friendly staff. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Deluxe king room with outdoor bath in the traditional-style Nazuna Gosho hotel in Kyoto, Japan.
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
Sofa and armchair in the living area of a Tomoya Residence Hotel guestroom with kitchenette behind and screens leading to a rock garden in Kyoto, Japan.
Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto
  • Mid-Range: Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto – The Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto is a beautiful, small boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood just north of downtown. Rooms are large and comfortable, the service is great and personal and the rates are reasonable for what you get. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Guests sit at dining tables and the bar as a member of staff serves drinks in th Imu Hotel Kyoto, Japan.
Imu Hotel Kyoto
  • Budget: Imu Hotel Kyoto – A short walk west of downtown, the Imu Hotel Kyoto is one of the cheapest places to stay in all of Kyoto. With a lively lounge/restaurant/bar area, the Imu feels like a friendly hostel. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

See our full list of recommended hotels on the Central Kyoto page.

Recommended Budget Hotels In Kyoto
Hotel Excellence KyotoHotel ExcellenceBusiness-style rooms
at capsule ratesMore Info
Hotel Mystays KyotoMYSTAYS KyotoMYSTAYS Kyoto is a good budget business hotelMore Info
Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo-KarasumaToyoko Inn KyotoVery good value
business hotelMore Info
ibis Styles Kyoto Shijoibis Styles ShijoConvenient for exploring Kyoto on footMore Info

Exterior of Yoshida Sanso Ryokan in Northern Higashiyama, with wooden panels, stone walls, and traditional roofing, on a bright, sunny day.
Yoshida Sanso Ryokan in Northern Higashiyama © Chris Rowthorn

Northern Higashiyama

Northern Higashiyama is a good place to stay, particularly if you want to be near green spaces and don’t mind getting on your bicycle or a bus to get downtown for eating and shopping (of course, there are some restaurants in Northern Higashiyama as well). I lived in this area for most of my time in Kyoto and I still love strolling around the Path of Philosophy and Yoshida-yama. It’s just magical, particularly in the evening.

Key Points

  • Positives: quiet, close to some sights, great strolling
  • Negatives: a bit far to downtown
  • Best for: walkers, couple, contemplatives

Here’s a picture I took last year in Northern Higashiyama:

A view of the street outside the Okura Okazaki Bettei Hotel in Northern Higashiyama, Kyoto, with a small temple dedicated to rabbits next door.
Okura Okazaki Bettei Hotel in Northern Higashiyama © Chris Rowthorn

Best Places To Stay In Northern Higashiyama

Our top hotel and ryokan picks in Northern Higashiyama are

Large living area with wall-length brown sofa facing wooden storage and built-in TV, as well as sleeping area in the adjoining room and view of greenery outside, in the Okura Okazaki Bettei hotel in Kyoto, Japan.
Okura Okazaki Bettei
Minimalist double room with light wooden ceiling, floor, and furniture, concrete walls, and embroidered bedding, as well as screened window looking out onto greenery in the Hotel Legasta, Kyoto, Japan.
Hotel Legasta
A contemporary update on the traditional Japanese style in the Nanzenji Sando Kikusi luxury ryokan in Kyoto, Japan, with twin comfort beds, wooden ceiling with unique geometric lamp, and view to gardens beyond.
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
Large traditional rooms, divided by screens, with tatami mats, large lampshades, low seating area, bath and bathroom, with views of gardens outside in the Ryokan Yachiyo, Kyoto, Japan.
Ryokan Yachiyo

See our full list of recommended hotels on the Northern Higashiyama page.

The stone and wooden Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama, shown crossing the Katsura River, with the expanse of water to the right and tree-covered hills to the back.
Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge © Jun Kitayama

Arashiyama

All the way over on the west side of the city, Arashiyama is not the most popular place to stay, but it’s good for a night or two if you want to stay close to nature. Two of the city’s finest accommodations are here: the superb Hoshinoya Kyoto, which is accessible by boat up the Hozu-gawa River, and Arashiyama Benkei, a classic ryokan with wonderful views of the mountains.

Key Points

  • Positives: quiet, close to some sights, great strolling
  • Negatives: far from the rest of Kyoto, crowded in the daytime
  • Best for: couples, contemplatives, honeymooners

Here’s a pic I took in Arashiyama recently to give you a feeling for the place:

People ride boats and wander along the banks of the Katsuragawa riverside in Arashiyama, Kyoto. There is a dense canopy on the far side of the water and a trio of people sit on a rock in the river.
Katsuragawa riverside in Arashiyama © Chris Rowthorn

Best Places To Stay In Arashiyama

Our favorite places to stay in Arashiyama are

Tiled riverside deck and entrance gate with Arashiyama forest views on the opposite banks at the Suiran luxury hotel in Kyoto, Japan.
Suiran Kyoto
  • Luxury Hotel: Suiran Kyoto – Suiran is a fine luxury hotel with a superb location in Arashiyama, overlooking the Hozu-gawa River. It offers spacious and well-equipped rooms and excellent views. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
A man walks towards the stone steps leading to the Arashiyama Benkei luxury ryokan in Kyoto, Japan, with a red parasol and floor lantern, as well as decorative trees.
Arashiyama Benkei

You can read more about Arashiyama’s many attractions on the Arashiyama page.

Popular Kyoto Ryokan
Yuzuya RyokanRyokan YachiyoClassic RyokanMore Info
Yuzuya RyokanYuzuya RyokanRyokanMore Info
Yuzuya RyokanHirashin RyokanModerate PriceMore Info
Yuzuya RyokanNishiyama RyokanModern and CentralMore Info

One Final Important Note

Just a quick explanation: Kyoto Station is not the center of the city; Downtown Kyoto is the city center. I prefer to stay in Downtown Kyoto for easy access to restaurants and shops. But if I want to focus on sightseeing and atmospheric lanes, etc, I stay somewhere in Southern Higashiyama. And if I need to get on trains a lot, I stay near Kyoto Station.

Where To Stay In Kyoto – Best Districts Map

District Map key:

  • Yellow: most desirable
  • Red: desirable
  • Green: acceptable
  • Light gray: less desirable
  • Medium gray: only in a pinch
  • Dark gray: last resort

Click the menu icon on the top left of the map to see the name and ranking of each Kyoto district. Zoom in on the map to explore each district in more detail.

The roadway and exterior to the traditional Tawaraya ryokoan in Kyoto, Japan, with standing lantern, tiled canopies, wooden panelling, and bamboo fences
Tawaraya exterior – image © Chris Rowthorn

Types Of Accommodation In Kyoto

In Kyoto, you can stay in everything from dirt-cheap guesthouses to five-star international hotels. Kyoto is packed with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), making it a great place to sample this wonderful “only in Japan” experience. Just be warned that good ryokan can be very expensive (don’t forget that they usually serve meals) and staying in one is a little more involved than staying in a hotel. Thus, I often advise people to spend their first night in Kyoto in a ryokan, and then move to hotel for the rest of their stay.

The right accommodation can make or break your trip. Read our simple, practical guide, to decide whether you should stay in a ryokan, hotel, machiya, or airbnb.

Nighttime view of the illuminated entrance to the Seikoro Ryokan in Kyoto, Japan, with tiled canopy, floor lantern, and traditional wooden walls
Seikoro Ryokan entrance

Ryokans

Kyoto is home to some of the finest luxury ryokans in Japan, like Seikoro and Nazuna Kyoto Gosho, as well as some great foreigner-friendly mid-range ryokans like Ishibeikoji Muan and Nishiyama Ryokan.

For specific ryokan recommendations, please see my detailed ryokan guides:

See our overview of Kyoto ryokan on the Kyoto Ryokan page.

Living area with sofa and wood panelling in Ritz-Carlton Kyoto guest room with view over Kamo River, tiled rooftops, and buildings on the opposite bank
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

Hotels

Kyoto has a fantastic selection of hotels, ranging from the top-of-the-line Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, to the superbly located Kyoto Hotel Okura, along with good value places.

For our picks of the best hotels in each category, please see

See our overview on the Kyoto Hotels page.

You can also check current Kyoto hotel availability at Agoda.com and Booking.com.

Nighttime view of the entrance and exterior to the contemporary block of the Super Hotel Shijokawaramachi in Kyoto, Japan, with the name in neon above the illuminated door and reflected on the pavement outside
Super Hotel Shijokawaramachi

Business Hotels

Business hotels are inexpensive hotels with small but adequate rooms with all the features you need. They’re usually an excellent value and they welcome travelers.

Our picks for the best business hotels include

See our Business Hotels In Kyoto page for more details.

Nighttime view from the pavement through the windows of people sitting and eating in the dining and bar area of the Len Kyoto Kawaramachi guesthouse in Kyoto, Japan
Len Kyoto Kawaramachi

Guesthouses

Guesthouses have exploded in popularity in Kyoto in recent years, and it seems like a new one opens every week. There are some fly-by-night places out there, so we suggest staying at a well-established place like the excellent Len Kyoto Kawaramachi or the Aussie-style K’s House Kyoto.

You can see more recommended Guesthouses on the Kyoto Hostels And Guesthouses page.

Beautiful minimalist room with traditional Japanese elements, such as tatami mats and delicate flowers in a vase in the Old Kyoto Indigo House machiya
Old Kyoto Indigo House machiya

Machiya Rentals/Vacation Rentals

Kyoto is famous for its wonderfully atmospheric traditional townhouses, known as machiya. A night in a beautifully restored machiya is an unforgettable experience – there are several available to book online. See our Kyoto Machiya page for full details. You’ll also find lots of great modern vacation rentals in Kyoto on the usual websites.

Our picks for the best machiya rentals in Kyoto are

  • Southern Higashiyama: Amber House – Amber House in Gion is a magical traditional Japanese house on a quiet street just steps away from the city’s most important sightseeing district. Read our review.
  • Southern Higashiyama: Indigo House – Indigo House Gion is a former geisha house that has been converted into two sublime vacation rental properties. They offer the unforgettable experience of staying in a traditional yet comfortable Kyoto house – just steps away from the city’s main sightseeing district. Read our review.
  • Southern Higashiyama: The Gion House – The Gion House is actually a lovely old Gion house that’s been subdivided into two units, each of which is impeccably decorated. Read our review.
  • Southern Higashiyama: The Old Modern – The Old Modern is a superbly renovated early Showa residence that is divided into four wonderfully appointed and spacious suites, each with its own distinctive character. Read our review.
  • Southern Higashiyama: Jeugiya – Jeugiya is a magical traditional Japanese home in one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in Kyoto. With warm service and all the amenities you need, it’s a brilliant place to stay in Kyoto. Read our review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

See our recommended Kyoto Vacation Rentals page for more vacation rental info.

Peak Season: March-April and November

A FRIENDLY WARNING! Kyoto accommodation gets booked out months in advance for busy seasons like the late March to mid-April cherry blossom season and the November fall foliage season. Book well in advance for these times.

If you are having trouble finding places to stay in Kyoto, see my guide to Where To Stay If Kyoto Is Fully Booked which gives you several alternatives for accommodation.

You can check current Kyoto hotel availability during March, April and November on Agoda.com and Booking.com.

Visiting Tokyo or Osaka?

If you’re visiting Tokyo and/or Osaka as well as Kyoto, be sure to check out my Where To Stay In Tokyo and Where To Stay In Osaka pages on InsideKyoto.com’s companion websites, TrulyTokyo.com and InsideOsaka.com.

Kyoto Vacation Checklist


Kyoto District Map

Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation


Chris Rowthorn

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.


Disclosure: InsideKyoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link.
We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.