Where to Stay in Kyoto: My Favorite Areas & Where We Stayed
Updated: Aug 24
Figuring out where to stay in Kyoto was honestly a little more confusing than I expected.
Before visiting, I kind of imagined Kyoto as one compact historic city where everything would be relatively close together. That is definitely not the case. Kyoto is pretty spread out, and places like Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Gion, and Kyoto Station are all in completely different parts of the city.
So yes, where you stay actually matters.
My family and I ended up staying in Downtown Kyoto near Kawaramachi, and after experiencing the city for ourselves, I was really happy with that area. We were close to restaurants, shopping, Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and the Kamo River, while still being able to get around to everything else we wanted to see.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely.
But that does not necessarily mean it is the best area for everyone. If you are dreaming of a traditional ryokan surrounded by historic streets, I would probably send you toward Gion or Higashiyama instead. If you are planning a ton of day trips, Kyoto Station might actually make more sense.
So, let’s get into the best areas to stay in Kyoto and which one I would choose depending on your trip.
Where to Stay in Kyoto: My Quick Answer
If you do not feel like reading this entire guide, I completely understand, so here is the short version.
Downtown Kyoto / Kawaramachi: My overall pick for first time visitors and where my family stayed. It is central, lively, full of restaurants, and close enough to walk into Gion.
Gion & Southern Higashiyama: Stay here if the historic, traditional side of Kyoto is what you are most excited about.
Kyoto Station: Best if convenience is your number one priority or you are planning several day trips.
Arashiyama: Gorgeous and much more peaceful, but I would personally choose it for one night rather than my entire first trip.
Northern Higashiyama: A quieter option with temples, gardens, and a more relaxed feel.
If this were my first trip to Kyoto, I would personally choose Downtown Kyoto near Kawaramachi again.
My Top 3 Hotels in Kyoto Overall
If you came to Ryan and me and said, “Forget the neighborhoods, just give me three amazing Kyoto hotels to start with,” these would be at the top of my list.
⭐ The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto — best for riverside luxury and central location. Click here for rates and availability.
⭐ Park Hyatt Kyoto — best for the ultimate Kyoto atmosphere. Click here for rates and availability.
⭐ Hilton Kyoto — best for first time visitors who want convenience. Click here for rates and availability.
Where We Actually Stayed in Kyoto
Before I get into all the different neighborhoods, I want to talk about where we actually stayed because I always find firsthand recommendations way more helpful than someone simply listing every area on a map.
My family stayed at Hilton Kyoto at 416 Shimomaruyacho, which is in Downtown Kyoto near Kawaramachi Sanjo.
And location wise, this worked out really well for us.
We were only a few minutes from Pontocho, close to the Kamo River, and within walking distance of Nishiki Market and plenty of restaurants and shops. We could easily wander around Downtown Kyoto and cross over toward Gion without feeling like every outing required some huge transportation plan.
One of my favorite nights in Kyoto was actually spent around this part of the city. I did a food tour that took us through Pontocho, the narrow restaurant lined alley along the Kamo River, and having all of that so close to where we were staying made evenings really easy.
I also loved that Downtown Kyoto gave us a completely different feel from the temples and historic streets we were exploring during the day. We could spend the day sightseeing and then come back to an area where there were plenty of places to eat, shop, or just wander around.
So if one of you asked me where to stay in Kyoto for a first trip, this is probably the area I would recommend first.
1. Downtown Kyoto & Kawaramachi: My Top Pick for First Time Visitors
If I were planning another Kyoto trip tomorrow, I would have no problem staying around Kawaramachi again. This is definitely the area I recommend if you are looking for the best combination of location, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and easy access to sightseeing.
It does not have quite the same old world atmosphere as Gion, but you are so close to Gion that I honestly did not feel like we were missing out.
You can walk over toward Pontocho and the Kamo River, head to Nishiki Market during the day, shop around Shijo and Kawaramachi, and still have plenty of transportation options for getting farther out into Kyoto.
And after spending an entire day walking around temples, I really appreciated being able to come back and have a ton of dinner options nearby rather than having to make another journey across the city just to eat.
Why I Like Downtown Kyoto
✅ Tons of restaurants, cafes, and shops
✅ Close to Nishiki Market
✅ Easy walk to Pontocho and the Kamo River
✅ You can walk into Gion
✅ Great balance between sightseeing and nightlife
✅ Very convenient for a first trip
The Downsides
❌ It feels more modern than Gion or Higashiyama
❌ You will still need transportation to places like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari
❌ It can get busy
Who Should Stay Here?
I think Downtown Kyoto is best for first time visitors, foodies, couples, families, and anyone who wants to be able to walk out of their hotel and immediately have things to do.
And if you are overwhelmed by all the Kyoto neighborhood options and just want me to tell you what I would personally do? Stay here.
My Hotel Pick in Downtown Kyoto:
⭐ Hilton Kyoto — Click here for rates and availability.
2. Gion & Southern Higashiyama: Best for That Dreamy, Traditional Kyoto Feeling
Okay, if your entire reason for visiting Kyoto is because you have seen videos of cobblestone streets, wooden buildings, lanterns, temples, and traditional Japanese architecture all over your Pinterest board, you are probably going to love Gion and Southern Higashiyama.
This is the Kyoto everyone pictures.
We spent plenty of time exploring this part of the city, and it really is beautiful. You have places like Kiyomizu dera, Yasaka Shrine, Yasaka Pagoda, and all of those gorgeous historic streets basically surrounding you.
If waking up early and walking through quiet traditional streets before the crowds arrive sounds like your dream morning, staying here gives you a huge advantage. And honestly, there is something very appealing about being able to experience Gion early in the morning or later in the evening when so many of the day visitors have disappeared.
Why I Would Stay in Gion
✅ Probably the prettiest area to stay in Kyoto
✅ Incredible historic atmosphere
✅ Close to temples and traditional streets
✅ Great for couples
✅ Amazing for photography
✅ Lots of beautiful luxury hotels and ryokan
The Downsides
❌ Usually more expensive
❌ Not quite as convenient for transportation
❌ Some areas get extremely crowded during the day
❌ Fewer casual late night options than Downtown Kyoto
Who Should Stay Here?
I would recommend Gion for couples, honeymooners, luxury travelers, photographers, or anyone who cares more about atmosphere than convenience.
If Ryan and I came back to Kyoto for a romantic trip, I would definitely be tempted to stay here and splurge on a beautiful hotel or ryokan.
My Hotel Pick in Gion:
⭐ Park Hyatt Kyoto — Click here for rates and availability.
Downtown Kyoto vs. Gion: Which Would I Choose?
This is probably the comparison most first time visitors are going to struggle with.
And personally? For a first trip, I would choose Downtown Kyoto. For a romantic second trip, I might choose Gion.
Downtown was just incredibly convenient for us. We had restaurants, shopping, Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and easy access to Gion without actually needing to stay there.
But if you want your hotel and neighborhood to feel like part of the Kyoto experience itself, Gion definitely wins on atmosphere.
Thankfully, the two areas are close enough that you really are not making a terrible choice either way.
3. Kyoto Station: Best for Day Trips & Convenience
I am going to be completely transparent here. Kyoto Station would not personally be my first choice if I were visiting Kyoto purely to experience Kyoto.
There are just prettier places to stay. But I totally understand why people choose it.
If you are traveling around Japan by train, carrying a bunch of luggage, or planning day trips to places like Osaka or Nara, staying near Kyoto Station can make your trip so much easier.
You basically eliminate that annoying extra step of arriving at the station and then having to drag your luggage onto another train, subway, or taxi to reach your hotel.
And Kyoto Station itself is huge. There are restaurants, shops, hotels, and plenty of transportation connections right there.
Why Kyoto Station Makes Sense
✅ Extremely convenient for trains
✅ Great for day trips
✅ Easy if you have lots of luggage
✅ Tons of hotel options
✅ Good for short stays
✅ Easy access to the Shinkansen
The Downsides
❌ Not the prettiest part of Kyoto
❌ Does not have that traditional Kyoto feeling
❌ I personally think Downtown Kyoto is more fun for evenings
Who Should Stay Here?
I would choose Kyoto Station if you are only spending one or two nights in Kyoto, taking multiple day trips, or prioritizing transportation above everything else.
If you are spending three or four nights and Kyoto itself is the main event, I would stay somewhere else.
My Hotel Pick near Kyoto Station:
⭐ The Thousand Kyoto — Click here for rates and availability.
4. Arashiyama: Beautiful, Peaceful & Perfect for a Ryokan Stay
I absolutely loved visiting Arashiyama. We spent part of the afternoon wandering through the Bamboo Forest, went on a short boat ride where someone rowed us along the Katsura River, and of course visited the famous Arashiyama Monkey Park.
The whole area has a completely different feel from Downtown Kyoto. It is greener, quieter, and surrounded by mountains. It almost feels like you have left the city entirely.
Would I stay here for my entire first Kyoto trip? Probably not.
Arashiyama is farther away from many of the other things you will want to see in Kyoto, so I think basing yourself here can make sightseeing a little less convenient.
But would I spend one night here in a gorgeous ryokan? Absolutely.
I actually think that could be the perfect way to do it. Spend most of your Kyoto trip Downtown or in Gion, and then finish with a peaceful night in Arashiyama.
Why Stay in Arashiyama
✅ Absolutely beautiful scenery
✅ Much quieter in the mornings and evenings
✅ Great ryokan options
✅ Close to the bamboo grove
✅ Walking distance to the Monkey Park and Katsura River
✅ Perfect for a slower, more romantic stay
The Downsides
❌ Farther from central Kyoto
❌ Very crowded with day trippers during peak hours
❌ Fewer restaurants and nightlife options
❌ Not my first choice as a base for sightseeing
Who Should Stay Here?
Arashiyama would be amazing for couples, nature lovers, repeat visitors, or anyone who wants to add a traditional ryokan experience to their Kyoto trip.
My Hotel Pick in Arashiyama:
⭐ Suiran — Click here for rates and availability.
5. Northern Higashiyama: Best for a Quieter Kyoto Experience
Northern Higashiyama is the area I would look at if you love the idea of staying near temples and beautiful scenery but do not necessarily want the crowds of Gion. You have places like the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen ji, Ginkaku ji, and Heian Shrine nearby, so there is still plenty to explore. But overall, it is a little more peaceful and residential.
Personally, I would choose this area for a slower Kyoto trip rather than a first visit where I was trying to see absolutely everything.
If your ideal Kyoto morning involves grabbing coffee, walking to a temple, wandering through a garden, and generally not rushing anywhere, I could totally see you loving it here.
Why Stay in Northern Higashiyama
✅ Quieter than Gion
✅ Beautiful temples and gardens
✅ Close to the Philosopher's Path
✅ More relaxed atmosphere
✅ Great for slow travel
The Downsides
❌ Not as many restaurants and shops
❌ Less convenient for exploring other sides of Kyoto
❌ Very quiet at night
Who Should Stay Here?
I would recommend it for couples, repeat Kyoto visitors, slower travelers, and anyone who wants to escape some of the busier tourist areas.
My Hotel Pick in Northern Higashiyama:
⭐ FUFU Kyoto — Click here for rates and availability.
Should You Stay in a Hotel or Ryokan in Kyoto?
If you have been wanting to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan, Kyoto is one of the places where I think it makes the most sense to do it. But I would not necessarily book a ryokan for your entire stay.
If I were planning a four night Kyoto trip, I would probably do something like:
Three nights in Downtown Kyoto or Gion
One night in a ryokan in Arashiyama or Higashiyama
That way you get the convenience of a centrally located hotel for sightseeing and still get to experience a traditional Japanese stay.
Best of both worlds.
How Many Nights Should You Stay in Kyoto?
Please do not give Kyoto one day.
I know it is tempting when you are trying to squeeze Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and everything else into one Japan trip, but there is genuinely so much to see here.
For a first visit, I would stay at least three nights, and I think four nights is even better if you have room in your itinerary.
Kyoto's attractions are spread out, so even if two places look relatively close on a map, getting between them can take longer than you expect. Having that extra day also means you can actually wander around a little instead of treating every temple like something you need to check off a list.
So, Where Would I Stay in Kyoto?
If you are still scrolling through hotels and have somehow become even more confused, here is what I would do.
First trip to Kyoto: Downtown Kyoto / Kawaramachi
Romantic trip: Gion or Southern Higashiyama
Lots of day trips: Kyoto Station
One night ryokan experience: Arashiyama
Quiet, slow trip: Northern Higashiyama
For most people visiting Kyoto for the first time, Downtown Kyoto is still my number one recommendation.
That is where my family stayed, and I genuinely think the location gave us the best of both worlds. We had modern Kyoto, restaurants, shopping, Pontocho, and Nishiki Market around us, but we were still close enough to walk over to Gion and experience the historic side of the city whenever we wanted. I would absolutely stay in the same area again.
Ready to Plan Your Kyoto Trip?
Still not sure which area, hotel, or ryokan is right for you?
Ryan and I are travel advisors, and we can help you figure out where to stay based on your budget, itinerary, travel style, and what you actually want to get out of your trip. Whether you need help choosing the right hotel or want someone to take the entire Japan planning process off your plate, we would love to help make your trip easier.
Reach out to us about travel planning and booking services to start planning your Japan trip.
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