Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A traditional Japanese pagoda with multiple tiers, surrounded by wooden buildings with tiled roofs.
A traditional Japanese building with tiled roofs and wooden structures.
Photo by Pomakis (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5)
Traditional Japanese buildings with tiled roofs and wooden structures, surrounded by well-maintained grass and trees.
A stone-lined canal with trees and a traditional building in the background.
Photo by Reggaeman (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
A traditional Japanese garden with a stone pond, pathways, and various trees, including some with pink blossoms.
Photo by Reggaeman (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Stay near popular Downtown Kyoto attractions

A bustling indoor market with various shops and stalls.

Nishiki Market

8.8/10 (4,133 reviews)
Come to this market in the heart of the city to experience the authentic sights, smells and sounds of the bartering vendors and their traditional food.
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Activities

Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

AU$71
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

AU$172
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

AU$48
per adult
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

AU$140
per adult
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear
Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour

Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour

AU$105
per adult
Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour
Historical Nara & Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour

Historical Nara & Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour

AU$166
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Historical Nara & Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour
See all activities in Kyoto

Our pick of the best Downtown Kyoto Hotel Deals

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
The price is AU$84 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
AU$84
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,098 reviews)
"Great location."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2026

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Monterey Kyoto

Hotel Monterey Kyoto

4 out of 5
604 Manjuya-cho, Sanjo-sagaru Kyoto Kyoto
The price is AU$81 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
AU$81
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Stay at this spa hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and hot springs on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
Hotel Monterey Kyoto
SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier

SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier

3.5 out of 5
Nakagyo-ku Kiyamachi-dori Sanjyo Agaru Kyoto Kyoto
The price is AU$120 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
AU$120
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,011 reviews)
"Great location. Rooms that face city have glazed windows so may as well forget it has a window"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2026

SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto

Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto

4 out of 5
165-1 Moriyama-cho Kyoto Kyoto
The price is AU$70 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
AU$70
26 Aug - 27 Aug
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,062 reviews)
"It was right off a main street"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER

4.5 out of 5
45-1, Hishiya-cho, Higashiiru Kyoto Kyoto
The price is AU$193 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
AU$193
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Kawaramachi Street and Fushimi Inari ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (529 reviews)
"Location and amenities were perfect!"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER
Cross Hotel Kyoto

Cross Hotel Kyoto

4 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori Kyoto Kyoto
The price is AU$181 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
AU$181
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,384 reviews)
"Everything was amazing. It’s tuck away at a great spot right in the middle of the action. Will definitely go back. Breakfast buffet was amazing. Not a breakfast type of person but was a lot of options. Partner loved it too. Close to everything, close to transport. what can I say my favorite hotel ..."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Cross Hotel Kyoto
See all 2,777 properties in Downtown Kyoto
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown Kyoto

Find the best Downtown Kyoto areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A serene pond surrounded by rocks and lush greenery.

Central Kyoto

Travellers love Central Kyoto for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Nishijin Textile Center and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

A traditional Japanese street with wooden buildings, red lanterns, and people walking.

Gion

Unique features of Gion include the monuments and shopping. Make a stop by Yasaka Shrine or Hanamikoji Street while you're exploring the area.

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.

A traditional Chinese dragon dance with performers in blue patterned costumes on a decorated platform.
Photo by Alexander Hagseth
Open Photo by Alexander Hagseth

Karasuma

Karasuma is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Nishiki Market and Museum of Kyoto, and you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

A traditional Japanese temple surrounded by lush greenery and large rocks.

Higashiyama Ward

Consider a visit to Ryozen Kannon War Memorial 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.

Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

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