10 Best Hotels in Kyoto
Hotels, Hostels, Guesthouses, and Ryokan in Kyoto
Looking for a hotel that matches your traveling purposes or budget can be both fun and stressful.
It is fun because you can visualize your trip beforehand as you’re deciding your hotel. But for some people, this researching aspect of preparing for a trip just feels like a chor.
This is also the case for Kyoto. If you’re looking for a hotel during your visit to the old capital, this may be the perfect article for you.
I will introduce to you 10 of the best hotels in Kyoto. From 5-star luxury hotels and Japanese-style Ryokan to low-budget hotels and hostels.
Hopefully, you will find the perfect place for your stay.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
Luxury
1. Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto (フォーシーズンズホテル京都) is a high-end luxury hotel located on the east side of central Kyoto.
Although it is near Kyoto station, it is a little removed from the energetic city area and is located closer to the temple district where it is surrounded by nature. You will find an 800-year-old pond garden in the heart of the hotel where you can feel the Japanese tradition combined with beautiful nature and the contemporary hotel.
Other than the usual guest rooms, the hotel also offers suites, residential suites, and specialty suites.
<<Book “Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 7-minute car ride from Kyoto Station (Shuttle service available). Shuttle service from Kansai Airport and Osaka Airport is also available. |
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Price | $$$ |
Official Website | https://www.fourseasons.com/kyoto/ |
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (ザ・リッツ・カールトン京都) is a high-end luxury hotel situated on the banks of the Kamogawa River, just north of central Kyoto.
The location makes it possible for you to enjoy exquisite Japanese or international food and drinks while enjoying the view of the Kamogawa River.
The hotel features 134 refined guest rooms and suites and offers spa services as well as drop off car service at the nearby touristic sites.
<<Book “The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 3-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (Tōzai Line) or 6-minute walk from Sanjo Station (Keihan Main Line) |
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Price | $$$ |
Official Website | https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/japan/kyoto |
Midrange
3. The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Located in the Kawaramachi Sanjo area near central Kyoto, The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo (ザ ロイヤルパークホテル 京都三条) is a hotel that provides a good Kyoto experience both in and out of the installations.
First, the interior of the hotel has a simplistic but modern design which represents what Kyoto is all about. Within the hotel, you will find a western-style restaurant, a bakery, a bar, a laundry room, and a concierge desk among other services.
Out of the hotel, you can go walking to the Kamogawa River, Kawaramachi area, or Gion area.
<<Book “The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 3-minute walk from Sanjo Station (Keihan Main Line) or Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (Tozai Line) |
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Price | $$ |
Official Website | https://www.the-royalpark.jp/the/kyotosanjo/ |
4. RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto (リーガロイヤルホテル京都) is a long-running hotel located just a few minutes walking from Kyoto Station.
This hotel has been an important part of the city ever since its inception 50 years ago, and it has gained a good reputation for it.
One of the appealing points is the variety of restaurants in the hotel. You can choose from 6 different restaurants, a lounge, or a bar. The most popular restaurant is the French restaurant “Top of Kyoto” located on the top floor where you have a 360-degree view of the whole city.
The hotel also offers a fitness gym, a swimming pool, a chapel, and much more.
<<Book “RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 7-minute walk from Kyoto Station(JR LInes). Shuttle service available. |
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Price | $$ |
Official Website | https://www.rihga.co.jp/kyoto |
Budget
5. Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (ホテルグレイスリー京都三条) is a hotel situated just north of central Kyoto near to the Kamogawa river.
Relatively reasonable in price, this hotel offers a variety of concept rooms that have various motifs such as the “Kabuki room”, and the “Kyoto room” among others.
The hotel includes a breakfast lounge where you can experience traditional Kyoto food.
Services include, laundry room, concierge desk, and luggage storage service.
<<Book “Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 5-minute walk from Kyoto-Shiyakusho-Mae Station (Tozai Line) |
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Price | $ |
Official Website | https://kyoto.gracery.com/#_ga=2.262730116.909487180.1584471011-834695707.1584471011 |
6. Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oike Fuyacho
Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oike Fuyacho (ホテルリソルトリニティ京都 御池麩屋町) is a recently opened hotel located in the northern part of central Kyoto.
The hotel’s concept is to offer hospitality that appeal to all five senses of the guests. From the aroma in the lobby and the relaxing warm lights in the room to the traditional Kyoto style breakfast that they offer.
The location is another good point for this hotel since it is in a quiet residential area where it still retains its old-Kyoto flavor.
The Gion area, Kamogawa river, and the Kyoto imperial palace are all within walking distance.
<<Book “Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oike Fuyacho” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 2-minute walk from Kyoto-Shiyakusho-Mae Station (Tozai Line) |
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Price | $ |
Official Website | https://www.resol-kyoto-o.com/en/ |
Hostel and Guesthouse
7. Book And Bed Tokyo-Kyoto
Book And Bed Tokyo-Kyoto (BOOK AND BED TOKYO 京都店) is a stylish hostel located within the Gion area.
At first look, this seems like a library or bookshop. “An accommodation bookshop” is precisely the theme of this hostel where you can sleep literally behind the bookshelves.
The hostel provides low-cost capsule-type beds behind the bookshelves. Or you can also book a room with a view of the Kamogawa river.
The location is really good being just one minute walking from Gion-Shijo station.
If you consider yourself a “book worm”, then this is a nice experience you should consider.
<<Book “Book And Bed Tokyo-Kyoto” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 1-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Main Line) |
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Price | $ |
Official Website | https://bookandbedtokyo.com/en/kyoto/ |
8. Piece Hostel Kyoto
Piece Hostel Kyoto (ピースホステル京都) is another hostel, but this one is located just 4 minutes walk from Kyoto Station.
The concept of this hostel is to offer a good experience to active travelers and, therefore, become a “piece” of their journey.
Being situated close to Kyoto Station makes this a really good hub for traveling around this area, so if you are planning on visiting many places in a short period of time, then this may be a good option for you to consider.
<<Book “Piece Hostel Kyoto” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 4-minute walk from Kyoto Station (JR Lines) |
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Price | $ |
Official Website | http://www.piecehostel.com/en/ |
Ryokan
9. Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo
Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo (南禅寺 八千代) is a Japaneese-style Ryokan located next to the historic “Nanzenji Temple” (南禅寺), north-east from central Kyoto.
This Ryokan is located in a residential district near Higashiyama where you will find many magnificent stately villas and Japanese-style gardens.
The Ryokan offers a nice variety of amazing Japanese-style tatami rooms. In the main building, there are 6 types of rooms with Onsen-style bathrooms with garden view.
The garden restaurant will provide high-quality traditional Kyoto cuisine. Savor the Kaiseki course as you enjoy the lovely view of the Japanese-style garden.
<<Book “Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 6-minute walk from Keage Station (Tozai Line) |
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Price | $$$ |
Official Website | https://kyoto-ryokan.co.jp/index.html#ryokan,kyoto |
10. Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei
Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei (京都高瀬川別邸) is a Ryokan style hotel situated close to central Kyoto.
The hotel is right next to the “Takasegawa river” (高瀬川) which is an area where you can feel the Kyoto atmosphere along with the relaxing sound of the river.
The hotel provides a combination of traditional Japanese-style and western-style. All rooms have Tatami floor and come with an Onsen-style cypress wood bath while the beds are all western-style Simmons bed.
The hotel also offers a western-style breakfast so that you can start your day in a fresh manner.
<<Book “Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei” at the best price!!>>
Information
Access | 5-minute taxi ride or 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station(JR Lines) |
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Price | $$ |
Official Website | http://kyoto-takasegawabettei.com/en/ |
Where to Eat in Kyoto?
Kyoto is full of high-quality Japanese cuisine. Check out some of the best recommendations we have for you in the following articles.
▶︎Best Restaurants in Kyoto
▶︎Best Teppanyaki in Kyoto
▶︎Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Kyoto
▶︎Best RAMEN in KYOTO
▶︎Best Wagyu Beef in Kyoto
What to Do in Kyoto?
Kyoto is full of things to do. Check the following links to get ideas for things to do in Kyoto!
-1st. Fushimi Inari Shrine: Arguably the most famous Shrine in Japan among foreign visitors. The shrine is famous for the “Senbon Torii” which is formed of over 5,000 red Torii gates, which looks like a tunnel.
-2nd. Kinkaku-ji Temple: Also known as “the Golden Pavilion”. The Zen Buddhist temple was built in 1397 and is completely golden from the outside. It is one of 3 “UNESCO World Heritage sites” temples in Kyoto.
-3rd. Wazuka Tea Plantation: Nearly half of the tea produced in Kyoto is from the town of Wazuka. Tea Plantations here are one of the most popular day-trip destinations in Kyoto.
-4th. Kawadoko at Kamogawa River: The riverbank of Kamogawa River is lined by many cafes and restaurants. During summer, these restaurants extend their outside terrace towards the river and make a larger seating space. This way, the guests can feel the breeze during hot weather.
-5th. Bamboo Grove: A 200m long path surrounded by 5 ~ 20 m tall bamboos. Located in the Arashiyama-Sagano area, The Bamboo Grove or “Chikurin no Michi” is one of most popular spots to visit in Kyoto.
In the following article, we have compiled information on various types of accommodations in Japan, including hotels and traditional Ryokan. With our Japan Accommodation Guide, find the perfect lodging experience for you!
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Written by
Born and raised in Costa Rica, I started living in Tokyo from college. I love traveling within Japan & around the world. Since I wasn’t born in Japan, I know the cultural impact that you can get when visiting Japan for the first time and what you might be worried about before your trip. And I’ve lived long enough to somewhat understand the nuances of the Japanese culture that make this country such an attractive place to visit. Hopefully I can provide to you both the information you’re looking for and the information you didn’t know you needed to know.