The Best Kyoto Accommodation, From Luxe Hotels to Ryokans

Whether you like high-energy city breaks or prefer a more slow, immersive stay, there’s no shortage of great places to base yourself in the historic and culturally layered city of Kyoto.

Kyoto is a timeless and dynamic city, defined by its ancient temples, living traditions and its distinct, character-filled neighbourhoods. No two are the same, and where you stay can totally change the rhythm of your trip. The same goes for the city’s wide-ranging accommodation options – with Kyoto stays spanning everything from design-forward boutique hotels and heritage-rich ryokan to all-out luxury sanctuaries.

If you’re new to the city, or a repeat visitor and looking for somewhere a little different to lay your head, here’s your guide to where to stay in Kyoto.

The best areas to stay in Kyoto

Kyoto’s neighbourhoods are diverse and distinct, with an area to suit every kind of traveller.

Downtown Kyoto (Kawaramachi/Central)

downtown Kyoto, Japan at twilight — The glowing needle of Kyoto Tower in downtown Kyoto. (Credit: Getty/ Sean Pavone)

Downtown Kyoto is vibrant and fast-moving, and incredibly convenient. The district is packed with shopping strips, restaurants, multi-level department stores, laneway arcades and vibrant nightlife, plus it’s highly walkable and well-connected by multiple train and subway lines. It’s ideal if you want energy and easy access to everything.

Southern Higashiyama and Gion

the Gion district in Kyoto, Japan — Gion is globally famous as Kyoto’s premier geisha district. (Credit: Getty/pinglabel)

When you think of Kyoto, you’re probably picturing the lantern-lit streets of Southern Higashiyama and Gion – with preserved streets, traditional wooden buildings, iconic temples and historic teahouses, and geisha and maiko roaming the streets. It’s atmospheric and very beautiful, especially in the early morning or evening, and is a great spot to stay if you want to experience Kyoto’s most iconic side.

Kyoto Station Area

the Kyoto Tower in the city centre — Kyoto Tower stands 131 meters tall just across from Kyoto Station. (Credit: Getty/ferrantraite)

If you’re regularly venturing outside Kyoto on day trips, the area around Kyoto Station is hard to beat. You’ll enjoy direct access to trains, buses and the Shinkansen, along with very walkable retail and dining precincts. This spot may not have the charm and old-world atmosphere of other parts of the city, but it’s super practical.

Northern Higashiyama/Okazaki

Lake Biwa Canal in Okazaki, Japan — A boat ride on the Lake Biwa Canal in Okazaki. (Credit: Getty/TokioMarineLife)

Situated in Kyoto’s leafy north-east, this district is decidedly quieter and more residential than other tourist-heavy areas, but it’s no less culturally rich. Stay here if you want easy proximity to museums, temples and tree-lined walking paths, but with peaceful leafy streets and fewer crowds.

Arashiyama

On the western edge of the city, Arashiyama is ideal for nature lovers and those who want to be totally immersed in Kyoto’s scenic natural outdoors – it’s slow-paced and almost rural in feel, with stunning river views and mountain scenery. Think of it more as a retreat than a convenient base.

Best luxury Kyoto hotels

If you’re after polish and a sense of occasion, Kyoto’s collection of luxury accommodation delivers in spades.

Ace Hotel Kyoto

Best for: Design-conscious travellers who want a central, social base

This design-led hotel in central Kyoto is both culturally grounded and globally minded. It blends architecture by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma – think timber, concrete and washi-inspired textures – with playful details like record players and custom furnishings in every room. It also connects directly to the Shinpukan complex, which is packed with places to eat and shop. The hotel’s central position makes it easy to explore both downtown and cultural sites.

Address: 245-2 Kurumayacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥75,000 per night*

The Shinmonzen

Best for: High-end travellers who want privacy, architecture and a curated stay

Set on a quiet Gion street, right beside the canal, this intimate boutique hotel has just nine suites – so it’s ideal if you want a deeply private and highly curated stay. Each room is pared-back and architecturally refined, with a river-facing balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River and museum-grade artworks lining its walls, plus you’ll receive highly attentive service and the chance to arrange private dining.

Address: 235 Shinmonzen-dori, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥150,000 per night*

The Thousand Kyoto

Best for: Travellers who want convenience, calm and easy transport access

Located a short two-minute walk east of Kyoto Station’s Karasuma exit, The Thousand is a nice balance of convenience and tranquillity. You’ll be greeted by an expansive and cathedral-like lobby on arrival, before heading up to generously sized and softly minimalist rooms with a quietly luxurious feel. The hotel also has a spa, fitness centre, landscaped terraces and numerous places to dine – so it’s well-equipped and particularly suited for short-stay or stopover travellers.

Address: 570 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥70,000 per night*

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Best for: Couples and luxury travellers who want a scenic, nature-immersed stay

You’ll find this riverside hotel in the picturesque neighbourhood of Arashiyama, right along the edge of the Katsura River near Togetsukyo Bridge. It incorporates restored century-old buildings from the Meiji era, with both river and garden views from the manicured grounds. The rooms are serene and beautifully appointed, with some even featuring private open-air onsens.

Address: 12 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥160,000 per night*

Aman Kyoto

Best for: Ultra-luxury travellers seeking seclusion and retreat-style stays

Aman Kyoto is a truly tranquil spot, immersed in untouched nature, around a 30-minute drive from the city centre near Kinkaku-ji. The hotel spans 80 acres of moss gardens and woodland, with pavilion-style suites containing deep soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows that let all of the surrounding greenery in. The dining and wellness experiences here are a highlight.

Address: 1 Okitayama Washimine-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥350,000 per night*

Best mid-range Kyoto Japan accommodation

These stand-out hotels balance comfort and good value, with locations in some of Kyoto’s best neighbourhoods.

Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo

Best for: Travellers who want value in a central location

This hotel is situated just off Kawaramachi Street in Downtown Kyoto. The central location is great if you’re exploring the city on foot, while the hotel’s interior is still quietly atmospheric and thoughtfully styled. Rooms feature tatami-style floors and sliding partitions, with a shoes-off policy that reinforces the traditional feel. The guest lounge is also a standout feature, with complimentary coffee and plush seating areas.

Address: 59-1 Daikoku-cho, Kawaramachi-dori-Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥25,000 per night*

Cross Hotel Kyoto

Best for: Travellers who prioritise space and comfort

If you want to stay close to Gion, Cross Hotel is a conveniently located spot with slightly larger rooms and modern finishes. Each room features a separate bathroom layout and clean-lined furnishings, with enough space to comfortably accommodate two to three guests. The ground-floor restaurant and bar are also consistently busy, but you can easily explore the surrounding area from here – Nishiki Market, for instance, is just 10 minutes away on foot.

Address: 71-1 Daikokucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥35,000 per night*

The Celestine Kyoto Gion

Best for: Couples wanting a quieter stay in Gion

The Celestine is a polished mix of classic design and modern creature comforts – imagine warm timber finishes, muted palettes and traditional detailing. The large communal bath and guest lounge are also lovely spots for winding down after a day of sightseeing. Getting around Gion is easy from here, with easy walking access to the area’s temples.

Address: 572 Komatsu-cho, Yasaka-dori Higashioji-nishiiru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥45,000 per night*

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

Best for: Travellers who value design and a more local feel

Nohga is a tribute to the craft-driven and creative spirit of Kyoto, with furniture, textiles and artwork by local makers. The rooftop bar has sweeping views across the city and the in-house bakery and restaurant are both popular with locals and worth visiting if you’re after casual, well-executed dining. Stay here if you want easy access to the temple precinct of Kiyomizu-dera (around a 10-15 minute uphill walk) and Higashiyama’s backstreets.

Address: 4 Chome-450-1 Gojobashihigashi, Higashiyama Ward

Prices from: ¥40,000 per night*

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Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei

Best for: Couples seeking a peaceful, culturally rich stay

This low-rise boutique hotel is ideal if you want stillness and seclusion – it’s an adults-only spot. Plus, it’s incredibly central in the cultural hub of the Okazaki area, within walking distance of numerous museums and cultural sites and overlooking Okazaki Betsuin Temple. The rooms are refined and detail-driven, with handcrafted ceramics, textiles and woodwork.

Address: 26-6 Okazaki Tennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥55,000 per night*

Best ryokan in Kyoto

Ryokan are Japanese inns centred on hospitality, bathing rituals and multi-course kaiseki dining. They’re perfect for experiencing a more authentic and slower-paced side of Japanese culture.

Togetsutei

Best for: First-time ryokan guests

Right on the banks of the Katsura River in Arashiyama, Togetsutei is a classic expression of tatami flooring, futon bedding, no shoes in guest rooms and traditional kaiseki meals – the multi-course culinary experience Kyoto is famous for. There are both communal and private bathing options available, along with garden outlooks and riverfront views and excellent proximity to the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.

Address: 54-4 Arashiyama Nakaoshitacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥50,000 per night*

Ryokan Kanamean Nishitomiya

Best for: Food-focused travellers seeking a traditional stay

If you’re staying in central Kyoto but still want a deeply traditional experience, check into Ryokan Kanamean Nishitomiya. There are just seven suites on offer, but each is individually designed and finished with heritage-inspired touches. The kaiseki is a highlight, with dishes made from seasonal ingredients and paired with wines from the carefully curated cellar. The service here is intuitive and highly personalised, too.

Address: 562 Honeyanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥120,000 per night*

Arashiyama Onsen Kadensho

Best for: Travellers wanting a more accessible ryokan experience

For a more contemporary take on a traditional ryokan, this is your best bet. Arashiyama Onsen Kadensho has tatami rooms and yukata (light cotton robes) but its bathing and dining experiences are more flexible than the more formal ryokan. You can use all five themed private onsen without booking – a rarity at this price point – plus a large communal bath and multiple dining venues.

Address: 5-4 Arashiyama Nishiichikawacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto

Prices from: ¥45,000 per night*

Where to stay in Kyoto for first-timers

If it’s your first time in Kyoto, the best area depends on how you want to experience the city:

Want walkability, food and nightlife? Stay in Downtown Kyoto (Kawaramachi), where it’s central, lively, well-connected and easy to get around.

Want temples, atmosphere and postcard Kyoto? Choose Higashiyama or Gion, ideally on a quieter side street.

Want convenience and transport? The Kyoto Station area is the most practical base.

Want something slower and more local? Look at the quieter, more residential pockets of Northern Higashiyama/Okazaki.

Want a peaceful, nature-focused stay? Head to Arashiyama, especially for a ryokan experience.

Note on pricing

Hotel prices in Kyoto vary significantly by season. Rates can increase sharply during cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (November). High-end properties like Aman Kyoto and The Shinmonzen often exceed their listed starting rates during peak periods.

After youth-led protests in 2025, this year Nepal elected a 35-year-old former rapper as Prime Minister. In a country where tourism is its biggest industry, what’s next for travellers?

In 1986, Nepal changed its clock. It had used India Standard Time since 1920 so, to differentiate, it wound its clock 15 minutes ahead of, not behind, its big-brother neighbour. Boss move. “Nepal is strongly opposed to the idea that our identity is connected to India,” says Community Homestay Network (CHN) guide Bikal Khanal.

Tharu dance is traditionally set to hand drums. (Credit: Kate Lewis)

Today, Nepal is the only independent country with a 45-minute deviation to universal time; an oddity that’s become a symbol of national pride. The quirk is nearly as endearing as Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport where carved varnished wood and shiny red bricks rule. One sign points to a ‘Travelator’ and another to a ‘Grievance Handling Desk’ while visas are noisily stamped at customs for US dollars, cash only. When am I?

Spot the endemic Nepal gray langur. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

The 15 or 45 minute anomaly sees me tap out completely on timezone calculations. Why bend my brain calculating if it’s quarter to or quarter past elsewhere when I’m in the honking here and now of Kathmandu where the air is high-altitude crisp, the prayer flags flutter and the street dogs howl?

How tourism is changing in Nepal

Bardiya National Park is rich with wildlife. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

India is not the only association many Nepalis would like to shake. With eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest and Annapurna, Nepal has long attracted mountaineers and trekkers, and expedition numbers are continuing to rise.

Tourism is one of the country’s biggest sources of foreign currency, so this growth is not negative, per se. But according to Ang Tshering Lama, who co-founded Phaplu Mountain Bike Club, being reduced to a mere trekking destination is limiting.

“Trekking is just one layer of our identity,” says Ang. “When it becomes the dominant narrative, it limits how we’re seen and how we see ourselves.” Nepal’s recent success, however, in diverting trekkers to less-trafficked areas such as Manaslu mofuntain, where visitor numbers rose by 117 per cent last year, offers hope that tourism can diversify even more radically.

Local men in Bhada village. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

The founder of CHN, Shiva Dhakal, wants that change. “The whole idea of the Community Homestay Network is to promote experiences outside of trekking,” he says. “Community tourism changes lives and helps kids stay home instead of coming to the city or migrating to the Middle East.”

Ang grew up seeing people leave, “not because they wanted to but because there weren’t enough opportunities to stay”, he states. Yet from remote villages to living traditions; food, art, music and emerging subcultures, “there’s so much that’s not being seen.”

CHN is opening some of those doors. It doesn’t own, or fund, any homes. Rather, it promotes homestays to travellers on a single, slick platform, while fostering entrepreneurship in places where women, marginalised castes, Indigenous people and the youth stand to benefit the most.

A new generation demanding more

Dalla Town Hall, where volunteers discuss anti-poaching tactics. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

The future prospects of next-gen Nepalis can no longer be ignored. On a Kathmandu tour with 33-year-old guide Monica K.C, we pass buildings torched in the September 2025 ‘Gen Z protests’, including the Supreme Court and Parliament House. Seventy-two people died. “They were anti-corruption protests,” says Monica. “Politicians’ children are living a lavish life but the airports are crowded with youngsters leaving to find work.”

We stop in ‘little Tibet’ at the wondrous sixth-century Boudha Stupa. “The wheel of life is Buddhism in a nutshell,” says Monica. “Things such as hate, ignorance and anger keep you rotating around the wheel, so you must follow the principles of Buddhism to detach. If you can’t, there’s no nirvana for you.”

Boudha Stupa's prayer wheels — Boudha Stupa’s prayer wheels are used to recite Buddhist prayers. (Credit: Kate Lewis)

In a sun-drenched twist to the usual temple visit, we ascend the stupa’s sloping plinth and roam its whitewashed dome. Tendrils of diaphanous prayer flags stream from a steeple-like structure where the Buddha’s unblinking eyes stare out. No nirvana for you…

bouda stupa prayer flags — Tibetan-style prayer flags embellish the whitewashed dome of Bouda Stupa, a Buddhist temple. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

The dome is delightfully free of guard rails or chiding from security. There is, however, a stern ‘No TikTok’ sign, perhaps in response to the youth’s newly flexed power. The booted-out Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, was replaced in a resounding election victory in March by 35-year-old Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) – a former rapper and mayor of Kathmandu. The RSP’s manifesto indicates tourism is a priority, and that Nepal’s cultural identity in areas such as gastronomy will be strengthened.

Boudha Stupa vendors — Vibrant souvenir shops and cafes around Boudha Stupa. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

A more confronting stop awaits at Pashupatinath Temple. Today is Bala Chaturdashi, a Hindu festival where thousands of devotees gather to honour their dead ancestors. Vendors hauling foam mattresses do a lucrative trade as people set up for a night of vigil. This includes burning the bodies of recently deceased relatives on bamboo pyres in the Bagmati River, which flows into the sacred Ganges.

A woman at annual Hindu festival Bala Chaturdashi, in Kathmandu. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

Wrapped in a shroud, the bodies are positioned with their heads facing north to the Himalayas where Lord Shiva resides. They’re covered with flowers and straw and set alight by male family members.

Hours later, the ashes are swept into the river where devotees will take a holy dip the next day. As much as Monica assures us it’s not voyeuristic to watch, I struggle to do so. “Here you see the reality of life because everyone ends up there,” she says, gesturing to the river.

Life unfiltered in the Terai region

tharu woman — Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

The reality of life needs processing time, which the western Terai region delivers in spades. The Terai is largely separated from India by the Karnali River and Bardiya National Park, where elephants, rhinos and the elusive Bengal tiger roam.

Once a nomadic tribe, the Indigenous Tharu people are now the largest ethnic group here. “They didn’t know their daily life was interesting for international travellers but they’re starting to understand now,” says CHN founder Shiva.

Take a Jeep safari through Bardiya National Park. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

We fly Buddha Air to Dhangadhi airport and drive five hours to stay in Tharu homes. The journey to Bhada village is a blur of roadside fruit stalls, traffic-stopping sacred cows and fields sown with wheat, rice, mustard, spinach, cauliflower and potatoes. Nepal’s agriculture feeds only Nepal.

Marigolds are an important part of Hindu rituals. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

“The only thing we export is young people,” says our guide Bikal. As the light dims and we plunge evermore rural, mysterious mounds of compacted hay – some house-sized – loom like the creatures from Where The Wild Things Are. Even our trusty driver gets flummoxed by a dirt road that abruptly ends and we find ourselves hurtling across a paddock.

On arrival, some are ferried to mud-walled cottages greened by gourd creepers, with thatched roofs and rustic-chic mosquito nets. Myself and two others are ushered to the home of corner store owner, mechanic and mushroom farmer Man Kumar Chilaruwa and his wife Rajkumari.

community homestay entrance — A warm welcome at a community homestay. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

They escort us to a bunker-esque back building with steel doors and a folding security gate, behind which is gleaming linoleum, dolphin-printed tiles and a shower cavity that must be gingerly stepped through to reach the toilet.

The ceiling lights emit a rainbow of colours (the bathroom light gets stuck in, frankly, a quite frightening red). We’re nevertheless touched that our hosts invested in all this bling when the average salary is around $275 a month.

In the coming days, we participate in Tharu traditions such as making moonshine, dancing, weaving straw handicrafts and gold-panning. We’re fed well with staples of rice, mustard greens, lentil pancakes, daal, curried chicken and tomato chutney served on antibacterial saal leaves.

food at community homestay — Dig in. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

Sonara community homestay president Indradevi Tharu tells us river snails are often served, and the boiled and pickled flesh of rats hunted in the rice fields. “Perhaps next time?” we say and all have a laugh.

The power of community homestays

community homestay owners in Nepal — Barda community homestay owners Parbati Chaudhary and Ram Krishni Devi Chaudhary. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

Immersing Western visitors in foreign cultural practices is not new. But with the Tharu, I never get that uneasy sensation that I’m being performed for. Despite being the only tourists, there’s no ‘othering’; just warm, composed and ultra-dignified welcomes. Like we’ve always been here.

“I love to have travellers in my village so I can see the world,” says local woman Parbati Chaudhary. “Why would I travel the world when the world comes to me?”

The graceful acceptance the Tharu offer, as well as the slow pace, works miracles on my frazzled nervous system. One day I even take a nap on a vacant homestay bed.

Sonara community room — An authentic stay in the Sonara community. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

Roosters strut and goats bray as we sit on the ground in al fresco kitchens, rolling rice flour into cylinders steamed to make dhikri (dumplings). When water is needed, we fetch it using a hand-operated pump as a family of ducks strolls by, side-eying us like curious neighbours.

Animal lovers will delight in Tharu villages. Kind and resourceful inventions are everywhere, such as snacking stations where two posts lean together, with leafy boughs dangling on rope for baby goats to forage from.

CHN’s CEO, Aayusha Prasain, nods knowingly when one in our group says she cried when she left her host, Shayam Chaudhary, in Bhada. Shayam’s 17-year-old son, Prashant, had translated, which deepened the connection.

“Community tourism turns travel into a relationship, not a transaction,” says Aayusha. “It places decision-making power in the hands of local communities, especially women and youth.” Since 2018, CHN has hosted more than 4000 travellers from 52 countries in 408 households, and estimates women’s participation has increased by 381 per cent.

In the Bardiya community, where vexing human-animal conflict has been a balancing act for decades due to elephants raiding crops, long-time homestay operator Salik Ram Chaudhary says young people keep the older ones on their toes.

“We can’t keep homestays stagnant,” he says. “We have to upgrade our service and redefine our product or young people won’t see it as an attractive business. If we can keep evolving with this travelling trend we’re confident the youths will stay and continue it.”

Back in Kathmandu, Monica explains that after the deaths of young protestors in September, a determination had spread to not let their sacrifice be in vain. “We want to keep holding the government accountable,” she says. “We don’t know what situation we’re facing, but we’re ready to face it.”

Interested in Nepal but prefer to experience it in total comfort? Read our guide to luxury travel in Nepal.

Where to stay in Kyoto: the best hotels and ryokan