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.
Photo by josef knecht (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0)
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: Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya & Miyama Day Tour

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

NZ$90
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto/Osaka: Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya & Miyama Day Tour
Kyoto Bike Tour - Monkey Tour

Wild Kyoto: An Afternoon of Bikes, Bamboo & Monkeys

NZ$178
per adult
Wild Kyoto: An Afternoon of Bikes, Bamboo & Monkeys
Kyoto: Gion Chopsticks Making Class

Kyoto: Gion Chopsticks Making Class with Engraving Option

NZ$11
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: Gion Chopsticks Making Class with Engraving Option
Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

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

NZ$90
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour
Kyoto: Kimono Rental with Hairstyling and Accessories

Kyoto: Kimono Rental with Hairstyling and Accessories

NZ$37
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: Kimono Rental with Hairstyling and Accessories
Kyoto: Gion and Higashiyama Walking Tour

Kyoto: The Geisha Districts of Kyoto Walking Tour

NZ$67
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Kyoto: The Geisha Districts of Kyoto Walking 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 NZ$301 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
NZ$301
28 Oct - 29 Oct
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! (1,137 reviews)
"The club service was great. And loved the location"

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2026

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
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$250 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
NZ$250
28 Oct - 29 Oct
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 Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu
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$531 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$531
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,007 reviews)
"Amazing stay"

Reviewed on 27 Oct 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$741 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
NZ$741
30 Oct - 31 Oct
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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (610 reviews)
"Great place to stay."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2026

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER
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$354 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
NZ$354
1 Nov - 2 Nov
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! (1,587 reviews)
"Our one complaint was finding a press on nail on the carpet, one day but otherwise impeccable stay, great location, awesome staff, comfy beds and great water pressure. Made our stay in Kyoto so comfortable. Would recommend"

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2026

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Hilton Kyoto

Hilton Kyoto

5 out of 5
416 Shimomaruyacho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture
The price is NZ$772 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
NZ$772
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Fushimi Inari Shrine and Pontocho Alley ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (623 reviews)
"Rooms are absolutely stunning and massive, especially for Japan. We were on the second floor so unfortunately we didn’t open our curtains much. Location is convenient, near to all the main shops on a very busy street. Skip the Italian restaurant in the lobby, we went to have lunch there while our ..."

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2026

Hilton Kyoto
See all 2,623 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 cityscape with a prominent tower, dense urban buildings, and a mountainous backdrop.

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 cherry blossoms, stone pathway, wooden houses, and orange lanterns.

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 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.

Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

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