Where to stay in Kyoto: the best areas, with a walk through each
5 areas compared. Watch the streets before you book.
Kyoto's temples and shrines are spread across the city and its hills, and buses can be slow and crowded in peak season. Where you stay decides whether you start the day at a quiet temple or in a queue for the bus.
These are the five areas most visitors choose between, from the transport hub of Kyoto Station to the historic lanes of Gion. For each you'll find who it suits, who should look elsewhere, what is on foot, and a walk through its streets before you book.
The best areas to stay in Kyoto at a glance
| Area | Best for | Vibe | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Station | Transport links, Day trips, Short stays | A modern hub of hotels, shopping and trains | Shinkansen, JR lines, subway and the main bus terminal |
| Kawaramachi & Pontocho | First-timers, Food, Nightlife | Downtown shopping arcades, riverside dining and lantern-lit alleys | Hankyu and Keihan lines; walk to Gion over the river |
| Gion & Higashiyama | Romance, Traditional Japan, Photography | Wooden teahouses, stone lanes and temples on the hillside | Keihan line at Gion-Shijo; walk to most eastern temples |
| Arashiyama | Nature, Ryokan stays, Quiet nights | Bamboo groves, river views and mountain temples | JR, Randen tram and Hankyu lines; 20 to 30 minutes to the centre |
| Karasuma & Nishiki | Value, Transport links, Food markets | A central business district with old townhouses and a famous market | Karasuma subway line and Hankyu line at Shijo |
1.Kyoto Station
- Transport links
- Day trips
- Short stays
Walk through Kyoto Station: video by The KYOTO on YouTube.
The area around Kyoto's huge modern station, with the widest choice of hotels and every transport link: bullet trains, the airport express to Kansai and local lines to Nara, Osaka and Fushimi Inari.
Stay here if
- You're planning day trips to Nara, Osaka or Hiroshima
- You're arriving with big luggage by bullet train or from the airport
- You want lots of hotel choice
Skip it if
- You want old Kyoto's atmosphere outside your door
- You'll spend evenings in Gion and Pontocho
Within a 10-minute walk
Kyoto Station building · Kyoto Tower · Higashi Honganji · Nishi Honganji · To-ji temple · Fushimi Inari (one stop by train)
2.Kawaramachi & Pontocho
- First-timers
- Food
- Nightlife
Walk through Kawaramachi & Pontocho: video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube.
Kyoto's lively downtown, around the Shijo and Kawaramachi crossroads. Covered shopping arcades, department stores and the narrow, lantern-lit alley of Pontocho along the Kamo River make it the best base for eating out.
Stay here if
- It's your first visit and you want a central, lively base
- You love eating out and evening strolls by the river
- You'd like Gion and Nishiki Market on foot
Skip it if
- You want a quiet, traditional setting
- Busy shopping streets would bother you
Within a 10-minute walk
Pontocho Alley · Kamo River banks · Nishiki Market · Teramachi and Shinkyogoku arcades · Gion (across the river) · Takase River
3.Gion & Higashiyama
- Romance
- Traditional Japan
- Photography
Walk through Gion & Higashiyama: video by Ambient Exploration on YouTube.
The historic geisha district and the temple-lined slopes of Higashiyama, with stone-paved lanes leading up to Kiyomizu-dera. Staying here means you can see the streets at dawn and dusk, before and after the crowds.
Stay here if
- You want the most atmospheric, traditional part of Kyoto
- You'd like to stay in a ryokan or machiya townhouse
- You plan early walks to Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka
Skip it if
- You're on a tight budget
- Daytime crowds in the lanes would bother you
Within a 10-minute walk
Hanamikoji Street · Yasaka Shrine · Kiyomizu-dera · Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka · Kennin-ji · Shirakawa canal
4.Arashiyama
- Nature
- Ryokan stays
- Quiet nights
Walk through Arashiyama: video by THE JAPAN WALK on YouTube.
The scenic western edge of Kyoto, where the famous bamboo grove, the Togetsukyo bridge and wooded hills meet the river. It's packed by day but peaceful in the evening, and ideal for a night in a traditional inn.
Stay here if
- You want nature and a relaxing ryokan stay
- You'd like the bamboo grove to yourself at dawn
- You're spending one special night outside the city centre
Skip it if
- You'll do most of your sightseeing in eastern Kyoto
- You want restaurants and nightlife after dark
Within a 10-minute walk
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove · Tenryu-ji · Togetsukyo Bridge · Iwatayama Monkey Park · Okochi Sanso · Hozu River boats
5.Karasuma & Nishiki
- Value
- Transport links
- Food markets
Walk through Karasuma & Nishiki: video by THE JAPAN WALK on YouTube.
The central district between Kyoto Station and downtown, along the Karasuma subway line. It mixes business hotels with old machiya townhouses, and Nishiki Market, 'Kyoto's kitchen', is a short walk away.
Stay here if
- You want a central, well-connected base at a fair price
- Food markets are a highlight for you
- You'd like Nijo Castle and downtown on foot
Skip it if
- You want scenic views from your hotel
- You're looking for a lively nightlife area
Within a 10-minute walk
Nishiki Market · Nijo Castle · Rokkakudo temple · Kyoto International Manga Museum · Shijo Street · Sanjo Street
How to choose your area in Kyoto
For a first visit, Kawaramachi or Karasuma gives you a central base with good food and transport. Gion and Higashiyama are the most atmospheric, Kyoto Station is the most practical for day trips, and Arashiyama is perfect for one quiet, scenic night.
Avoiding the crowds
Kyoto's most famous sights are very busy from mid-morning, especially in cherry blossom season and autumn. Staying near the places you most want to see lets you visit them early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Buses can be slow and full in peak season; the subway and private railway lines are often faster.
Ryokan and machiya stays
A night in a ryokan, with tatami rooms and often dinner and breakfast included, is a highlight of a trip to Kyoto. Restored machiya townhouses are another special option, especially for families or groups.
Where to stay in Kyoto: common questions
What is the best area to stay in Kyoto for first-timers?
Kawaramachi, in the downtown area. It's central, full of restaurants and shops, and Gion is just across the river.
Is it better to stay near Kyoto Station or in Gion?
Kyoto Station is best for day trips and easy arrivals. Gion is more atmospheric and better for the eastern temples, but more expensive.
Is Arashiyama worth staying in?
For one night, yes, especially in a ryokan. It's peaceful after the day visitors leave, but far from the eastern temples and downtown.
Where should I stay in Kyoto on a budget?
Around Kyoto Station and the Karasuma line, where business hotels and guesthouses offer good value.
Can I stay in Kyoto and visit Osaka and Nara?
Yes. Both are under an hour by train, and Kyoto Station is the most convenient base for those trips.
Areas change over time. Check recent reviews and the exact location of your hotel before you book. Hotel links may earn Walking Atlas a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring Kyoto
The Kyoto city guide has more 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Kyoto city guide →