Where To Stay in Kyoto – Our Favourite Areas & Hotels

If there is one city in Japan that is on just about everyone’s travel itinerary it has to be Kyoto. While the beautiful temples, shrines, and historic sites are what draws most people to Kyoto, the city has a lot more to offer.

As more than a million foreign visitors every year discovers, the city provides world-class shopping, mouth-watering cuisine (Kyoto has seven three-star Michelin restaurants!), and some of the most diverse accommodation options anywhere in Japan. With so many hotel and guest houses to choose from, deciding where to stay in Kyoto can be a challenge.

Kyoto is divided into districts each with its own distinct personality. Where you want to stay depends on what you consider your top priority. Is it easy access to transportation, proximity to the popular sights, restaurants, and nightlife, or are you looking for somewhere to escape and enjoy the beautiful nature?

In this article, we summarize what we think are Kyoto’s best areas to stay in and why. For each…