An expert analysis of the best accommodation in downtown Kyoto based on thousands of customer reviews
Downtown Kyoto during the Gion Matsuri summer festival. Image copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Overview
Downtown Kyoto is just north of Kyoto Station and provides the most convenient location for staying in Kyoto. Although some people prefer to get away from the city, choosing to stay in the downtown area will give you easy access for travelling anywhere in Kyoto.
The downtown area provides the easiest access to everything you need for your trip, such as:
Lively streets and markets
Multiple train stations
Famous temples
Unique bars and restaurants
All the hotels on our list are within a 5-10 minute walk from:
The Nishiki Market
Pontocho Alley
Kyoto's nightlife district (Kiyamachi)
The Kamogawa (Kamo River)
The Geisha District (Gion)
Train stations connecting you to Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and even Osaka.
And a 10-20 minute walk from:
The historically preserved streets of Higashiyama
Famous temples such as Chion-in, Kodaiji, and Kiyomizudera (Higashiyama)
This area also features the highest concentration of hotels, so it can be hard to make the right choice. This article aims to simplify this process for you, providing you with a carefully selected list of hotels based on expert knowledge of the city and an objective analysis of thousands of customer reviews.
All of the options on this list must adhere to our strict criteria:
- An average review score above 8.5
- A minimum of 100 reviews
- The location must be in downtown Kyoto and must be convenient for sightseeing
Our listing for each place has a convenient summary including the:
Description
Highlights
Average Price
Review Score
Review Example
The Best Hotels In Downtown Kyoto
High End $400 - $1100
The Sora Niwa Terrace ─ 9.4
The Good Nature Hotel ─ 9.1
Mid-Range $250 - $800
The Gate Hotel by Hulic ─ 9.1
The Cross Hotel Kyoto ─ 9.1
Hotel Rings Kyoto ─ 9.1
Best Value $40 - $400
The Miru Kyoto ─ 9.5
Hotel Muso ─ 9.6
Hotel Traveltine ─ 9.4
The Kabin Kyoto ─ 9.0
The Millennials ─ 8.9
The Piece Hostel ─ 8.9
The Best Luxury Hotels In Downtown Kyoto
1. Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei
The Sora Niwa Terrace Bettei is an incredible combination of a luxury ryokan experience with the facilities of a modern up-market hotel. If you manage to secure a booking here, you're guaranteed your own private outdoor onsen bath with beautiful views of the surrounding area. The hotel features a large onsen facility on the upper floors with natural hot spring water, a rarity in Kyoto, and a stunning rooftop garden terrace. Travellers who stay at the Sora Niwa Terrace Bettei often leave reviews saying they wished they had booked extra nights at this amazing property.
• Highlights:
─ Private outdoor onsen bath in every room.
─ A gorgeous rooftop garden terrace.
─ Natural hot spring water and open-air onsen facilities.
• Price Range: $650 - $1100 per night
• Review Score: 9.4 ★ (250+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Incredible location, comfortable beds and absolutely beautiful room and amenities. We had a room with a private onsen and balcony - it made our stay very luxurious. The rooftop terrace and bar was perfect in the morning while we drank our coffee and during happy hour after a day of sightseeing. The hotel service was exceptional - everyone went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of. Highly recommended!"
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. The Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
The Good Nature Hotel is an eco-friendly boutique hotel that offers a serene retreat in the middle of the city, with nature-inspired rooms featuring terraces and unique design elements such as glamping tents. The hotel has a focus on sustainability with features like reusable bottles and wooden toothbrushes. There's also a range of organic shops, healthy restaurants, and wellness services.
• Highlights:
─ Boutique delux room options, including your own private sauna or meditation room.
─ One of the most environmentally friendly hotels in Japan.
─ Organic and nature-focused design with organic shops and healthy restaurants.
• Price Range: $600 - $1800 per night
• Review Score: 9.1 ★ (500+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"I wish I could give this hotel 10 stars. During our trip we stayed in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and this was the best hotel we stayed at by far. The service was amazing, the rooms were beautiful, the food was delicious, and the location was great."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Mid-Range Hotels In Downtown Kyoto
1. The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa by Hulic
The Gate Hotel Kyoto is located in the heart downtown Kyoto, right along the Takase-gawa canal and next to Pontocho Alley. Everything is on your doorstep, especially Kyoto's nightlife which centres around Kiyamachi Street, plus all the traditional restaurants and bars of Pontocho Alley. Two world-class restaurants and a gorgeous bar are located on the top floor with huge windows providing complete beautiful panoramic views.
• Highlights:
─ Located in Kyoto's nightlife district, right next to Pontocho Alley.
─ Situated on the Takase-gawa canal, known for its cherry blossoms.
─ A high-end modern hotel with Japanese elements.
• Price Range: $250 - $1100 per night
• Review Score: 9.1 ★ (3000+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"We just got home from a 2 week visit to Japan, and among the 7 hotels and 5 cities we stayed in, The Gate Hotel in Kyoto was by far the BEST! The vibe is calming from the minute you walk in, and all the little extras make it special. The lounge is fantastic, with coffee/tea, soda, wine, sake, and snacks, with cool jazz music too. There are some cute shops and cafes at the lobby level, and the grassy courtyard is simply lovely. The restaurant and bar were wonderful too. The location is excellent, next to a cute little stream and everything is on your doorstep."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. The Cross Hotel Kyoto
The Cross Hotel is a lovely 4-star hotel perfectly located in Kyoto's downtown area. They have a popular American-style buffet breakfast which provides a nice break for Western palates. The rooms are large and spacious, perfect for families, and the amenities are modern and stylish.
• Highlights:
─ Luxurious mid-range hotel with a competitive price point.
─ Popular American-style buffet breakfast.
─ An amazing restaurant featuring a wide range of cuisine including Italian, French, and Spanish, with a focus on local ingredients unique to Kyoto.
• Price Range: $250 - $1000 per night
• Review Score: 9.1 ★ (4000+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Everything was perfect. The buffet breakfast was AMAZING! Heaps of variety! The location is PERFECT, right in the middle of everything but still a quiet street, easy to travel to anywhere in Kyoto. The room was super clean and the bed was very comfortable. They give you everything for your stay. The employees are so nice and informative. You won’t be disappointed with this hotel, everything was 10/10 for the entire 5 nights we stayed here."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
3. The Hotel Rings Kyoto
The Hotel Rings Kyoto is one of the best value-for-money mid-range hotels in downtown Kyoto. They focus on providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere with natural wooden decor and comfortable beds. The guest reviews are constantly praising the hotel's vibe, the location, the onsite boutique cafe, as well as the amenities and super helpful staff. It's hard to beat this price point for such a convenient location and level of service.
• Highlights:
─ The best value for money mid-range hotel in downtown Kyoto.
─ 1 minute walk to Nishiki Market.
─ 5 minute walk to Pontocho Alley.
• Price Range: $140 - $250 per night
• Review Score: 9.1 ★ (900+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"One of the best hotels i stayed at in Japan. Bang for buck definitely. Staff were really kind and helped me make a couple of dinner reservations. As soon as i checked in, they even made us a welcome drink and snack. I love the interiors as well. very minimalist, the cafe attached to the hotel was really good too, amazing coffee. Highly recommend staying here when you visit Kyoto. Will definitely go back!"
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Affordable Hotels In Downtown Kyoto
1. The Miru Kyoto Nishiki
The Miru Kyoto is the best affordable hotel in downtown Kyoto. It's actually a mid-range hotel that also happens to offer some lovely affordable rooms for travellers who prefer saving money on accommodation. The design and decor are charming, beautiful, and artistic, giving you a sense of luxury along with wonderful service from the friendly and helpful staff. With over 700 reviews and an average of 9.5 stars, it's easy to see why this hotel gets booked out so quickly.
• Highlights:
─ High-tech boutique hotel with free croissants delivered to your room every morning.
─ Classy atmosphere with a sophisticated design, offering a variety of room options to suit all budgets. ─ Right next to Nishiki Market and a 5-minute walk to the nightlife district and Pontocho Alley.
• Price Range: $110 - $350 per night
• Review Score: 9.5 ★ (750+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This is a gorgeous boutique hotel. The room was spacious, very clean, very comfortable and with an understated lovely design feel. The in-room coffee maker, and the croissant delivery in the morning was a very nice touch! The location of the hotel was excellent - on a quiet street, within easy walking distance of stations and various attractions. The staff were absolutely fabulous - they were so friendly and helpful, with excellent English, and did everything to make our stay as easy and comfortable as possible. Will definitely stay here again!"
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. Hotel Muso
Hotel Muso receives more positive reviews than any other hotel in downtown Kyoto. Their competitive room rates offset their slightly further location, being a 10 minute walk from the main downtown attractions such as Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley. The wide selection of room options offer something for all budgets, including affordable, mid-range, and high-end experiences. The customer reviews constantly praise the amazing staff that work here, with many people stating they were the most helpful and friendliest staff they experienced during their entire trip to Japan.
• Highlights:
─ Amazing value-for-money with a wide range of room options.
─ A 10-minute walk to Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley.
─ The highest review rating in downtown kyoto, with constant praise for the quality of the rooms, friendly staff, and incredible price.
• Price Range: $150 - $600 per night
• Review Score: 9.6 ★ (600+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Beautiful gem of a hotel - we felt very spoiled - a perfect set up for a family as there was a large main bed and two futon beds on a tatami platform behind shoji screens allowing for privacy for our family. The bathroom was spectacular, with a jacuzzi tub, huge rain shower, and luxury skincare products.The kitchen was gorgeous. Even the toilet played music…The gentleman at the front desk was delightful and also responded to texts promptly. Free breakfast of gourmet hot dogs and coffee was a nice touch - very tasty too. Location also great as a short walk to the main shopping area."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
3. Hotel Traveltine Kyoto Kiyamachi
The Hotel Traveltine is a brand new hotel offering lovely rooms at reasonable prices. It's located on a peaceful street next to the Kamogawa river and within a 9-minute walk to Pontocho Alley. The guest reviews are constantly praising the amazing prices, awesome location, and beautiful rooms.
• Highlights:
─ Brand new hotel next to the Kamogawa river.
─ Within a 9-minute walk to Pontocho Alley.
─ Aethetically designeded sunlit rooms.
• Price Range: $130 - $350 per night
• Review Score: 9.4 ★ (150+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Perfect Kyoto location. Close to Gion but also to downtown and train stations. Lots of great bars and restaurants in strolling distance. Felt new and rooms were clean, quiet and good sized. Extremely good value at time of booking. Really friendly staff and they offer free breakfast snacks."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
4. The Kabin Kyoto
The Kabin Kyoto positions itself as a hotel for the modern traveller, with a focus on providing the nicest rooms at the lowest rates so you can save your money for sightseeing and exploring. Check-ins are managed through their app and allow for a seamless process to save you time. The consistently glowing reviews are proof their concept works, and they have a range of room options to suit all types of travellers.
• Highlights:
─ Possibly the best value-for-money hotel in Kyoto.
─ Friendly and helpful English-speaking staff.
─ Within 8-minutes walk to the main shopping streets, nightlife district, and pontocho alley.
• Price Range: $100 - $250 per night
• Review Score: 9.0 ★ (800+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Loved the excellent location! Walking distance to Nishiki Market and shopping arcades. Love the cool vibe you get when you enter the lobby. Reception always greets you whether you are coming or going. Check in can be done online before you get there. Rooms are exceptionally clean and we had lots of room for 3 people. Laundry is available on every floor. Outdoor area for sitting. Really loved this hotel and its staff!"
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
5. The Millennials Kyoto
Perfect location. Free beer. Your own movie projector. Sociable common areas. Work and study spaces. High-tech and modern features. Rentable polaroid cameras. What more could you ask for? The Millennials Kyoto is truly a unique and amazing capsule hotel, and a shining example of how extraordinary Japanese hospitality can be. The design and intentions go above and beyond in every way, while still maintaining a nice and humble price.
• Highlights:
─ Free beer every evening.
─ Sociable common areas.
─ Rentable polaroid cameras.
Average Price: $40 - $100 per night
Review Score: 8.9 ★ (2000+ reviews)
Review Quote:
"This was by far the best hostel I stayed at in Japan, so much so that I kept extending my stay here! Very modern and clean facilities, free amenities and towels, loved the bathrooms and showers, free coffee, tea and ice/filtered water, big open plan and stylish common area. They also gave everyone a free beer every evening, this was a great way to meet other travellers, I personally found this hostel very social. The beds/pods were so cool and modern, very comfortable, and private."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
6. The Piece Hostel Kyoto
The Piece Hostel in Sanjo is one of the highest-rated hostels in Kyoto, and it's easy to see why. The beautiful design and architecture feel more like a refined hotel rather than a backpackers hostel. The attention to detail, amazing location, and friendly staff all combine to make it one of the best hostels in Japan.
• Highlights:
─ Amazing location, an easy walk to Pontocho Alley and Nishiki Market.
─ Multiple room options, perfect for groups or solo travellers.
─ 5 minute walk to reach 2 train stations, making it easy to travel anywhere in Kyoto.
• Price Range: $40 - $100 per night
• Google Review Score: 8.9 ★ (4500+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"By far the best hostel we‘ve ever been to. The location is great, you‘re within walking distance of everything. They have huge common areas, a rooftop, a bar, and a big kitchen which are all very well maintained. The rooms and beds are really nice, they also have lots of showers and toilets so you‘ll never need to wait in line."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
