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: Kimono Rental with Hairstyling and Accessories

Kyoto: Kimono Rental with Hairstyling and Accessories

NZ$35
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: Kimono Rental with Hairstyling and Accessories
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

NZ$58
per adult
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience
Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour

Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour

NZ$126
per adult
Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour
Kyoto/Osaka: Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya & Miyama Day Tour

Kyoto/Osaka: Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya & Miyama Day Tour

NZ$85
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto/Osaka: Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya & Miyama Day Tour
Kyoto: Gion Chopsticks Making Class

Kyoto: Gion Chopsticks Making Class with Engraving Option

NZ$11
per adult
Kyoto: Gion Chopsticks Making Class with Engraving Option
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

NZ$168
per adult
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear
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 NZ$140 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
NZ$140
15 Sept - 16 Sept
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. ...
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
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 NZ$215 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
NZ$215
14 Sept - 15 Sept
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Amazing hotel! Impeccably clean, great service, if I’m ever back in Kyoto I will be staying here again!"

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
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 NZ$292 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
NZ$292
14 Sept - 15 Sept
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (544 reviews)
"The staff there were extremely helpful and friendly, they make you feel so welcomed. The room is pretty big and very clean, the location is excellent, I have no complaints at all"

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2026

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER
Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu

Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu

4 out of 5
301-1, Narayacho Kyoto Kyoto
The price is NZ$93 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
NZ$93
13 Sept - 14 Sept
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. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,105 reviews)
"The staff were awesome and friendly. The real star is the location of the hotel! 10/10. You walk out and youre surrounded by shops and restaurants everywhere. From the listing photos you cant really tell but when you get there you won't have a problem finding something to do or eat. Would definitely ..."

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu
Cross Hotel Kyoto

Cross Hotel Kyoto

4 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori Kyoto Kyoto
The price is NZ$225 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
NZ$225
13 Sept - 14 Sept
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 ...
Cross Hotel Kyoto
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
74 Nakajimacho,Kawaramachi Higashi-iru Kyoto Kyoto
The price is NZ$129 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
NZ$129
13 Sept - 14 Sept
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,561 reviews)
"I can tell all the amenities are top notch here. One thing is the the air conditioning system needs to be cleaned."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2026

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
See all 2,769 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 Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and Nijō Castle.

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 Japanese pagoda with a golden finial, surrounded by modern buildings and a tree-lined street.

Karasuma

Karasuma is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Nishiki Market and Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, 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 Kodai-ji 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.

Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

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