Where to Stay in Kyoto: Choosing the Right Area

Kyoto's gateway, served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, the JR Limited Express Haruka and Kintetsu trains, with terminals for city buses and airport limousine buses. It is a convenient base for Fushimi Inari Taisha and day trips to Nara and Osaka, and the station building and underground mall have plenty of places to eat and shop for souvenirs.

Best for

• ✓Travelers arriving or leaving by shinkansen
• ✓Those also making trips to Nara or Osaka
• ✓Families with lots of luggage

Keep in mind

You will need a train or bus to reach Gion or Arashiyama.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR and Kintetsu Kyoto Station; Subway Karasuma Line Kyoto Station

An area along Karasuma-dori, the north-south avenue through the heart of Kyoto, with many hotels and easy access to Nishiki Market and Nijo Castle. The Subway Karasuma Line connects it to Kyoto Station, and the Hankyu Kyoto Line links it to Osaka.

Best for

• ✓First-time visitors to Kyoto
• ✓Those who want to get around efficiently by train
• ✓Anyone who wants to explore the city center, including Nishiki Market

Nearest stations

🚉 Hankyu Karasuma Station; Subway Karasuma Line Shijo Station and Karasuma Oike Station

Kyoto's biggest shopping and entertainment district, with department stores and shopping arcades, while Pontocho and Kiyamachi along the Kamo River are lined with restaurants and bars. Gion is just across the river, and both Hankyu and Keihan stations are nearby.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to enjoy food and dining out at night
• ✓Anyone who wants to walk to Gion and Kiyomizu-dera

Keep in mind

Streets and stations get very crowded on weekends and in peak sightseeing seasons.

Nearest stations

🚉 Hankyu Kyoto-kawaramachi Station; Keihan Gion-Shijo Station and Sanjo Station

An area centered on Yasaka Shrine, with Hanamikoji Street and the sloping lanes leading up to Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji. There are inns and lodgings in renovated machiya townhouses, and you can walk the stone-paved streets in the morning and evening when there are fewer visitors.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to stay in a traditional Japanese streetscape
• ✓Anyone who wants to visit Kiyomizu-dera and other sights early in the morning

Keep in mind

Many lanes are narrow or sloped, which makes getting around with large luggage hard work.

Nearest stations

🚉 Keihan Gion-Shijo Station; City Bus Gion and Kiyomizu-michi bus stops

An area centered on Heian Jingu Shrine, home to the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art and Kyoto City Zoo. It is close to Nanzen-ji and the Philosopher's Path, and its wide streets make it a calmer place to stay than the city center.

Best for

• ✓Families who also want to visit museums and the zoo
• ✓Those who want to walk toward Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji
• ✓Travelers who prefer a quiet stay

Keep in mind

There are fewer restaurants open at night than around Kawaramachi.

Nearest stations

🚉 Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Station and Keage Station

A sightseeing area in western Kyoto with Togetsukyo Bridge, the Bamboo Forest Path and Tenryu-ji, with ryokan lining the riverside. In the evening and early morning, after the day-trippers have left, you can enjoy a quieter side of the scenery.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to relax at a ryokan
• ✓Anyone who wants to visit Sagano's temples or ride the Hozugawa River boat

Keep in mind

It is far from Kyoto Station and Gion, so trips that cover the whole city involve a lot of travel.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Sagano Line Saga-Arashiyama Station; Randen Arashiyama Station; Hankyu Arashiyama Station