Kyoto Accommodation Guide: Hotels, Hostels, and Traditional Inns

Wondering where the best place to stay in Kyoto is? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Kyoto is an incredibly popular tourist destination and the heart of traditional Japan. When deciding on accommodation there, you’ll be torn between hostels, hotels, and the tempting ryokan all at wildly different prices. So to save you some time, we’ve rounded up this list of the best places to stay in Kyoto.

Where to stay in Kyoto

Kyoto is a sprawling city, with the main attractions spread out and far from one another. With this in mind, there is no one best area to stay in Kyoto. Instead, you’ve got a few options depending on your priorities. We cover some of the most popular areas to stay in Kyoto in this article. They are:

• Arashiyama: If you’ve got your heart set on dreamy photos of the bamboo forest without crowds, stay in Arashiyama.
• Shijō-dōri Street: A fantastic central area with good transport connections and plenty of dining and entertainment options.
• Gion and Higashiyama District: An older area of town full of traditional charm.
• Kyoto Station: The best choice for public transport options and direct access to Kansai International Airport.

Types of accommodation in Kyoto

Kyoto has lots of different accommodation options to choose from. Here are the most common ones:

• Hotels: A classic option that gives you a private room and bathroom. Breakfast is often available onsite.
• Hostels: Usually the most budget option, with a bed in a shared dormitory and a shared bathroom. Often, breakfast is not available onsite.
• Capsule hotel/hostel: A unique accommodation option that involves sleeping in a capsule or pod. Shared dormitories and shared bathrooms are the norm. Breakfast normally isn’t available onsite.
• Ryokan (traditional Japanese-style inn): A more traditional experience with a private bedroom, and often a shared bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are often available onsite.
• Vacation rental/Airbnb: A grab bag of options that vary greatly. This option is often the best bet for large groups of friends or families traveling together.

What to know before you book hotels in Kyoto

One of the most important things to know when booking hotels in Kyoto is that it’s best to book well in advance. Because Kyoto is so popular, many places book out weeks ahead of time so you need to get in early.

Also keep in mind that Kyoto has an accommodation tax. It starts at ¥200 per person per night and goes up depending on the per-night cost of the accommodation. Often, you’ll be asked to pay this on check in.

Best places to stay in Arashiyama: For the bamboo forests

Right by the bamboo forest and with a more relaxed feel, Arashiyama is an increasingly popular choice with travelers wanting to relax on their trip. It’s also perfect if you’re desperate for that empty-bamboo-forest shot that only comes with a very early morning. There are plenty of expensive ryokan here, but for affordability, hostels are your best bet.

Mulan Hostel

Hostel with dorm and private rooms
From ¥4,950 per person
Book here

Mulan Hostel is just a few minutes’ walk from Arashiyama Station. They have everything you need for a comfortable stay including the usual amenities and towels as well as WiFi and retro-games consoles too. The design is light and modern and is a far cry from the stuffy, scruffy image of hostels that may spring to mind. The hostel is across the river from the bamboo forest and Tenryuji Temple so you can stroll out for sightseeing any time you like and there is a local onsen a few minutes walk away. They have a mixture of dorms and private rooms available, with dorm spots costing ¥4,950 and private rooms from about ¥12,500 per night (shared bathrooms).

Riverside Arashiyama

Hotel, private rooms
From ¥22,900 for a twin-share room
Book here

For a comfy mid-range hotel option, you can’t go past Riverside Arashiyama. It’s in a great central location, close to both of Arashiyama’s train stations and about a 15- to 20-minute walk to the famous bamboo grove. The hotel has air conditioning and free WiFi throughout and 24-hour reception services.

The rooms have a modern, Western-style design with their own private bathrooms. Each room also has a fridge, microwave, and tea/coffee making facilities. Up to four guests can stay in the largest rooms, and there are pet-friendly rooms for those traveling with their four-legged family members.

Best places to stay on Shijō-dōri Street: Stay central

The main strip in Kyoto, this is where you want to stay if you plan on enjoying the nightlife of Kyoto or if you want to be up bright and early for sightseeing. The street has all the shops and restaurants you need, plus it’s right next to the Kamogawa River and is very well connected on the city bus routes. It may be slightly further from the station, but you’ll be well placed to get to any corner of Kyoto quickly from this base point.

Anshin Oyado Premium Kyoto

Capsule hotel, dormitory rooms
From ¥9,200
Book here

Anshin Oyado is a centrally located capsule hotel that offers a touch of luxury for the weary traveler. The sleeping pods are surprisingly spacious, with a small tv, charging ports and a small locker for valuables inside. Plus, there’s a dedicated luggage storage space with lockers located on the second floor which you don’t always get in a capsule hotel.

For more on Anshin Oyado, check out our full review.

Kyomachiya House Izo

Vacation rental, up to five guests
From ¥50,000 per night, up to five guests
Book here

While you’re in Kyoto, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to stay in a traditional Machiya (townhouse.) With Kyomachiya House Izo, you’ll get the whole place to yourselves. You’ll have WiFi, a kitchen, bathroom, and washing machine too — all withing walking distance of the main street and sights.

Best places to stay in Gion and Higashiyama: Going traditional

Just across the river from Shijō-dōri Street, Gion has a much quieter and more traditional vibe, with temples, shrines, kimono-clad women, and the winding streets you recognize from the guidebooks. Unfortunately all this adds up to some higher prices than the other locations, but not to worry, there are still some wallet-friendly options.

Wanosato Kyoto Musee

Hotel, private rooms
From ¥10,000 per person
Book here

Wanosato Kyoto Musee is a well-priced hotel located just outside the main hustle and bustle of Gion. The decor has a subtle elegance to it, complete with some gorgeous wood finishes in the bathrooms. All rooms have air conditioning, WiFi, and some have views of the mountains surrounding Kyoto. The entire property is non-smoking, which is a big plus. Breakfast is available onsite, and there is luggage storage available.

Note: Children cannot stay at Wanosato Kyoto Musee.

Kyo no Yado Sangen Ninenzaka

Hotel, private rooms
From ¥24,000 per person
Book here

This hotel can’t be beaten on location, being just a 5-minute walk from the world-famous Kiyomizudera Temple. Get up early and you’ll be sure to beat the crowds if you stay here. Kyo no Yado Sangen Ninenzaka stays true to the traditional side of Kyoto with tatami flooring and futons to sleep on. Depending on the room type you choose, you’ll have either an ensuite or a shared bathroom, but all rooms have WiFi, tea/coffee making facilities, and a small fridge.

A great bonus of staying here is the fact that the hotel can arrange cultural activities and walking tours for you.

Best places to stay near Kyoto Station: For the transport

If being near the station is your priority in Kyoto, you won’t struggle to find somewhere to stay in an area filled with hostels and budget hotels galore. Strategically, this is a great location as you will be near trains and the main bus station and can get to any of the sights quickly.

Hotel She

Hotel, private rooms
From ¥21,000 for a twin room
Book here

A 10-minute walk to the station, this hotel has a more interesting design than most and has great room rates to boot. For two people you can nab a room for ¥21,000 (cheaper if you’re on your own) and that gets you all the usual amenities, towels, en-suite as well as access to a shared kitchen which is the best of both worlds! They have fun additional bits like interactive maps, smartphones in the rooms and staff speak Japanese, English and Chinese and are more than willing to help travellers out with reservations, etc.

Other top places to stay in Kyoto

Park Hotel Kyoto

Hotel, private rooms
From ¥11,000
Book here

Park Hotel Kyoto is a comfortable modern hotel in central Kyoto. It’s just a short walk from Nijō-jō Castle and a major subway station, but in an overall less touristy area of Kyoto so it makes for a more relaxed stay. The rooms are larger than average and all have private bathrooms, along with a large flat-screen tv and a small sofa and table. The hotel offers breakfast, as well as a coin laundry and rental bicycles.

For more on Park Hotel Kyoto, check out our full review.

Tsukihi House Kyoto

Vaction rental, up to five guests
From ¥54,000
Book here

For a charming vacation rental, you can’t go past Tsukihi House. It’s a traditional machiya townhouse that was built over 80 years ago, but it’s been fully renovated so it has fully modern amenities. It can accommodate up to five people and is fully private, meaning you get the whole place to yourselves. You also have an option to request breakfast or dinner ingredients to be included (at extra cost), which is a nice touch.

Top tips for Kyoto hotels and accommodation

• A ryokan traditionally requires three main things that differentiate it from a regular hotel: tatami flooring with futon beds, full meals, and a public bath or onsen. They almost always have shared bathrooms, even if you book a private room and they often have curfews in place.
• Capsule hotels are often male only, although female floors are becoming more common, so be sure to double-check when you book!
• If you are set on a private room, try hostels with private rooms as although you might be sharing a bathroom, it can be a nicer room than similarly priced budget hotels.
• Prices for all accommodation fluctuates depending on the season, local events and national holidays, so be aware that price listed below may not be available on your dates, but they also might be better (we used a random date!)

Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Kyoto

What is the best area for tourists to stay in Kyoto?

There’s no single best area for tourists to stay in Kyoto, it all depends on what you want to do. If you’re only staying one or two night, Kyoto Station area is a good spot thanks to all the transport options. If you’re staying longer and want to get a more intimate feel for the city, Shijō-dōri Street or Gion are perfect — they’re lively areas that are home to some of Kyoto’s most famous attractions.

Is it expensive to stay in Kyoto?

We’ll be honest, it can be expensive to stay in Kyoto, especially if you don’t book until the last minute. So our best advice is to book early to lock in the best prices.

Is it worth staying in Kyoto?

Yes! We’re huge fans of Kyoto, there’s so much to see and do here. The crowds can be a bit off-putting but it’s worth staying in Kyoto so you can explore some of the quieter parts of the city.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in January 2018. Last updated: January 2025.