Kyoto Hotel Guide

Kyoto offers a wide range of accommodations, including domestic and international hotel chains, inexpensive hostels and vacation rentals. It is also a great city to experience a traditional ryokan. Below is a brief introduction to Kyoto's main hotel districts, their advantages as a base for tourists and some recommended hotels:

Kyoto Station

Although not as atmospheric as Kyoto's city center, the area around Kyoto Station is very convenient and offers lots of hotels, shops and dining options. The station is a major transportation hub with easy access to virtually all of the sightseeing spots around Kyoto, direct trains to Nara and Osaka and shinkansen connections to Tokyo, Hiroshima and beyond.

Central Kyoto

The area surrounding the intersection of Shijo and Kawaramachi has the largest and most atmospheric collection of shopping and dining options in the city. A wide range of popular hotels can be found in the area, mostly located along Shijo and Sanjo streets and further north around the Kyoto City Hall. Despite lacking a JR train station, the area is nonetheless a secondary transportation hub for Kyoto, with bus and train connections to the various sights around the city in addition to direct trains to Osaka.

Eastern Kyoto

Calmer and quieter than other parts of Kyoto, eastern Kyoto is no less atmospheric. The area boasts a wide range of modern and traditional accommodations, especially in the Higashiyama District due to its distinct historic flair. Eastern Kyoto also offers a larger selection of vacation rental properties in its more residential neighborhoods.