Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Popular places to visit

Image for Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market

4.5/5(125 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.

Nishiki Market
Image for Kyoto International Manga Museum

Kyoto International Manga Museum

This institution is the home of manga in Kyoto. It holds exhibitions, workshops and events devoted to the promotion of Japanese literary art.

Kyoto International Manga Museum
Image for Kiyamachi Street

Kiyamachi Street

You can learn about the history of Kyoto with a trip to Kiyamachi Street. Amble around the area's riverfront or visit its shops.

Kiyamachi Street
Image for Ryoma Shopping Street

Ryoma Shopping Street

You can enjoy retail therapy at Ryoma Shopping Street during your visit to Kyoto. Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Ryoma Shopping Street
Image for Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple

4.5/5(221 reviews)

Constructed entirely without nails and built on high poles, this temple is part of a World Heritage Site and offers visitors both beauty and history.

Kiyomizu Temple
Image for Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine

4.5/5(391 reviews)

This shrine at the base of Inari Mountain is dedicated to the goddess of rice and prosperity. See its thousands of red gates around a network of beautiful trails.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Activities

Image for Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

AU$34
Per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple
Image for Japanese Small Katana Forging Experience

Japanese Small Katana Forging Experience

AU$400
Per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Japanese Small Katana Forging Experience
Image for Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

AU$41
Per adult
72% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket
Image for Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Experience

Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Experience

AU$34
Per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Experience
Image for Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA

Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA

AU$87
Per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA
Image for Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour

Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour

AU$126
Per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour
See all activities in Kyoto

Our pick of the best Downtown Kyoto Hotel Deals

Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
3 out of 5
165-1 Moriyama-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$89 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
AU$89
per night
3 Jul - 4 Jul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (433 reviews)
"Simple and efficient property. No extras yet nothing important is missing either"

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2024

Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$269 per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
AU$269
per night
2 Jul - 3 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,014 reviews)
"Location was excellent….central to shopping and eating! Staff were extremely helpful!"

Reviewed on 17 Jun. 2024

Cross Hotel Kyoto
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
3.5 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$92 per night from 24 Jun to 25 Jun
AU$92
per night
24 Jun - 25 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Staff was so kind and helpful. They’re there to serve!"

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2024

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
4 out of 5
74 Nakajimacho,Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundable
The price is AU$290 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
AU$290
per night
14 Jul - 15 Jul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"The 3-person room is very small."

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2024

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Okura Kyoto
Hotel Okura Kyoto
4.5 out of 5
537-4 Ichinofunairichō, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$188 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
AU$188
per night
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Really nice hotel in a great location in the modern area with many restaurants and shops but just across the river from the older area with many of the shrines and temples. Mattress was a little firm, but that seems to be the norm in Asia."

Reviewed on 11 Jun. 2024

Hotel Okura Kyoto
SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
3.5 out of 5
Nakagyo-ku Kiyamachi-dori Sanjyo Agaru, Kamiosaka-cho 509, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$208 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
AU$208
per night
18 Jul - 19 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
Comfortable and good location
"The location is great! Very central yet not too crowded with people the min you walk out. Many good restaurants nearby and 2 min walk to the subway. Hotel staff very helpful and professional. Room is a good size (26m) but narrow and long. A bit hard to layout the luggages. Bath room counter height ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2024

SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
See all 3,027 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.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Kyoto

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Karasuma

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

Karasuma
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street are top sights in Nakagyo Ward, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station to see more sights in the area.

Nakagyo Ward
Gion showing cycling, night scenes and street scenes

Gion

5/5(58 area reviews)

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

Gion
Nijo Castle which includes a garden and a pond

Central Kyoto

4.5/5(593 area reviews)

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 Kawaramachi Street and Seimei-Jinja Shrine.

Central Kyoto
Kyoto featuring autumn colours, snow and religious aspects

Kamigyo Ward

5/5(2 area reviews)

Noted for its historical sites and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Kamigyo Ward. Top attractions like Kawaramachi Street and Seimei-Jinja Shrine are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station to see more of the city.

Kamigyo Ward
Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

5/5(9 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kiyomizu Temple 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.

Higashiyama Ward

Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

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