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
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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
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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
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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
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Kiyomizu Temple

4.5/5(221 reviews)

This World Heritage temple is ingeniously built, without nails, and takes its name from the nearby waterfall.

Kiyomizu Temple
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Fushimi Inari Shrine

4.5/5(391 reviews)

This mountain shrine is dedicated to the goddess of rice. Time your descent to coincide with the lighting of the lanterns.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Activities

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

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

NZ$36
Per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple
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Japanese Small Katana Forging Experience

NZ$429
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

NZ$44
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

NZ$37
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

NZ$94
Per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA
Image for From Osaka-Kyoto: Kyoto and Nara 1Day Bus Tour w/Kinkakuji Ticket

From Osaka-Kyoto: Kyoto and Nara 1Day Bus Tour w/Kinkakuji Ticket

NZ$135
Per adult
90% of travellers recommend
From Osaka-Kyoto: Kyoto and Nara 1Day Bus Tour w/Kinkakuji Ticket
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 NZ$96 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
NZ$96
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
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! (439 reviews)
Excellent value for a short sightseeing stay
"Convenient, comfortable, near sightseeing, clean, friendly staff. The only thing that we would have wished that windows open in bedrooms as well as the view"

Reviewed on 19 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 NZ$283 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
NZ$283
per night
21 Jul - 22 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 NZ$97 per night from 27 Jun to 28 Jun
NZ$97
per night
27 Jun - 28 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! (1,001 reviews)
"Great hotel. Fabulous location. Efficient. Room bigger than a lot of Japanese hotels. Breakfast was a real highlight. Great value for money."

Reviewed on 18 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
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

Get rates
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$188 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
NZ$188
per night
11 Jul - 12 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! (1,000 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 NZ$225 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
NZ$225
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! (1,003 reviews)
"Very friendly staff, breakfast service, clean rooms. Wash machine availability! Most important is location, location, location!"

Reviewed on 19 Jun. 2024

SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
See all 3,072 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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