What is Downtown Kyoto like?

Travellers are sure to enjoy a stay in Kyoto's Downtown Kyoto neighbourhood. Make sure that you visit Kyoto International Manga Museum and Museum of Kyoto as part of your Downtown Kyoto travel plans.

What's the best accommodation in Downtown Kyoto?

Based on our traveller data, Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu is one of the top choices for your stay in Downtown Kyoto. This hotel is steps from Pontocho Alley, and offers free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Other good options for your stay in the area include Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo and SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier .

How many hotels will I be able to find in the Downtown Kyoto area?

Expedia has 279 hotels and other accommodation options in Downtown Kyoto to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Kyoto area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown Kyoto, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel reservations are refundable provided that you cancel before the hotel’s cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of check in. If you have a non-refundable reservation, you might be able to still cancel and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to view the best deals available in Downtown Kyoto.

What is there to do around this Kyoto neighbourhood?

Some landmarks in Downtown Kyoto that you won't want to miss include Teramachi Street, Nishiki Market and Kiyamachi Street. You could also plan a visit to Kyoto International Manga Museum or Museum of Kyoto while you're in the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown Kyoto include ShinPuhKan Shopping Center, Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto and Shiori-an. Seiwemon Onishi Museum and Kyoto Art Center are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Kyoto.

How can I get around Downtown Kyoto and the greater Kyoto area?

For a quick way to explore the city, catch a ride on metro transit at Karasuma Oike Station, Marutamachi Station or Shiyakusho-mae Station.

Top 10 Downtown Kyoto Hotels of 2026

A traditional Japanese pagoda with multiple tiers, surrounded by wooden buildings with tiled roofs.

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Our top choices for Downtown Kyoto hotels

A modern hotel with a traditional facade, large glass entrance, and potted plants outside.

1. Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

Gion, 2.2 km from Downtown Kyoto

Vi Thuy

RM1,016 total

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A hot spring area with a stone wall, a wooden bench, and a small waterfall.

2. Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Shimogyo Ward, 2.4 km from Downtown Kyoto

Kathy

RM758 total

4 Nov - 5 Nov

A hotel with a central courtyard, multiple balconies, and a distinctive glass-roofed pavilion.

3. Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo

Minami Ward, 3 km from Downtown Kyoto

Mylene

RM522 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A corridor with a wooden floor, bamboo plants, and a traditional Japanese lattice structure.

4. THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

Shimogyo Ward, 1.6 km from Downtown Kyoto

Tom

RM1,390 total

2 Nov - 3 Nov

A modern building with a glass facade, a water feature, and a stone pathway.

5. Cross Hotel Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto

Gary

RM1,368 total

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A pathway lined with rocks and greenery, leading to a traditional stone lantern and a building with large windows.

6. Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae

Shimogyo Ward, 2.6 km from Downtown Kyoto

chatty

RM710 total

14 Oct - 15 Oct

A modern indoor swimming pool with clear glass walls, a wet floor, and a view of greenery outside.

7. Hotel Emion Kyoto

Shimogyo Ward, 2.9 km from Downtown Kyoto

Stephanie

RM617 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A rooftop terrace with a hot tub, lounge chairs, and a city view.

8. APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower

45.3 km from Downtown Kyoto

Luigi

RM273 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A dining area with a bonsai tree, a glass table, and a modern interior design.

9. Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Downtown Kyoto

Arti

RM681 total

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A modern reception area with a wooden wall feature, a reception desk, and a bench.

10. JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI

Minami Ward, 3 km from Downtown Kyoto

Kamlesh

RM536 total

3 Nov - 4 Nov

A modern indoor pool area with a checkered floor, a glass barrier, and a view of the night sky.

11. Hotel Monterey Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto

Maria

RM665 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A modern interior with a long wooden table and chairs, large windows, and a rock garden view.

12. Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo

Shimogyo Ward, 1.9 km from Downtown Kyoto

Carlos Francisco

RM511 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk with chairs, a TV, and a city view through the window.

13. Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Shimogyo Ward, 2.6 km from Downtown Kyoto

Leah

RM914 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A modern interior with a central potted plant, wooden paneling, and a staircase in the background.

14. Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Karasuma, 0.9 km from Downtown Kyoto

Ray

RM546 total

13 Oct - 14 Oct

A modern hotel entrance with a dark facade, large windows, and a visible reception area.

15. Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto

Michael Kyaw-Kyaw

RM487 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

A modern bedroom with a large bed, a nightstand, a sofa, and a city view.

16. The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

Downtown Kyoto

Jennifer

RM689 total

12 Oct - 13 Oct

The entrance of Hotel Musse with a modern design, featuring a wooden ceiling, glass doors, and a patterned wall.

17. Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu

Downtown Kyoto

Aryel

RM588 total

13 Oct - 14 Oct

A modern hallway with a view of a garden.

18. Hilton Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto

Sonya

RM1,610 total

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A two-story building with large windows, a wooden facade, and a sign reading 'KIYOMIZU ELITE TERRACE.'

19. Kiyomizu Elite Terrace

Higashiyama Ward, 2.1 km from Downtown Kyoto

Mitchell

RM944 total

14 Oct - 15 Oct

A breakfast table with croissants, eggs, a salad, a fruit plate, a plate with a rolled omelette, a cup of coffee, and two glasses of orange juice.

20. Kyoto Brighton Hotel

Nishijin, 1.6 km from Downtown Kyoto

Manish

RM798 total

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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Compare popular hotels in Downtown Kyoto

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Miru Kyoto Nishiki	3.0 star property	10.0 Exceptional 445 reviews	View
MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Central	3.5 star property	10.0 Exceptional 97 reviews	View
Kyoto Machiya Fukune	4.5 star property	10.0 Exceptional 76 reviews	View
soyo-ne kyoto sanjo	4.0 star property	10.0 Exceptional 13 reviews	View
Ace Hotel Kyoto	4.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 1,001 reviews	View

Where to stay in Downtown Kyoto

Find the best Downtown Kyoto areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A cityscape with a prominent tower, dense urban buildings, and a mountainous backdrop.

Central Kyoto

Ancient temples blend with modern architectural treasures while markets, museums, dining and shopping streets showcase thousands of years of Japanese traditions.

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A traditional Japanese street with cherry blossoms, stone pathway, wooden houses, and orange lanterns.

Gion

Experience a traditional tea ceremony or a night of cultural entertainment within the historic wooden teahouses of this well-preserved Kyoto district.

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A cityscape at dusk with a prominent tower, modern buildings, and a well-lit train station.

Shimogyo Ward

Shimogyo Ward is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Kyoto Railway Museum and Shijo Street. See more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Tanbaguchi Station or Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station.

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A traditional Chinese dragon dance with performers in blue patterned costumes on a decorated platform.

Karasuma

Experience sensory delights at the Kitchen of Kyoto, shop for souvenirs, take an art class and visit a sacred temple in this central neighborhood.

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A traditional Japanese pagoda with a red and white color scheme, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear sky.

Higashiyama Ward

Consider a visit to Sannenzaka Museum and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Higashiyama Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Higashiyama Station or Sanjo Keihan Station.

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Top Downtown Kyoto Hotel Reviews

SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier

8/10 Good

"This property was walking distance to a bunch of markets such as Nishiki, Termachi, etc. There are lots to do around the area and very close to Kamo river with restaurants. I got sick when I got to Kyoto so the staff gave me English speaking medical clinics around the area. The property is nice and has laundry downstairs but there is a long wait time as everyone is trying to wash/dry their clothes. The breakfast is decent even though it is a bit pricey for Japan I would say. But there are variety of food. We also upgraded our room upon check in to have more space and they were able to accommodate pretty quickly."