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

Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & Nara Park Day Trip

Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & Nara Park Day Trip

NZ$91
per adult
Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & Nara Park Day Trip
eSIM: Airalo Japan Package

eSIM: Airalo Japan Package

NZ$6
per traveller
eSIM: Airalo Japan Package
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

NZ$60
per adult
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience
Full-Day Bus Tour of Kyoto

Kyoto Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto – Temples, Shrines & Bamboo Forest

NZ$76
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Kyoto Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto – Temples, Shrines & Bamboo Forest
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

NZ$173
per adult
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

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

NZ$173
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience
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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$107 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$107
30 July - 31 July
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$199 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$199
30 July - 31 July
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)
"Great location close to everything we needed. Would book again when we return"

Reviewed on 27 July 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 NZ$99 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$99
3 Aug - 4 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 ...
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
Hotel Monterey Kyoto

Hotel Monterey Kyoto

4 out of 5
604 Manjuya-cho, Sanjo-sagaru Kyoto Kyoto
The price is NZ$115 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
NZ$115
23 Aug - 24 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
Cross Hotel Kyoto

Cross Hotel Kyoto

3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori Kyoto Kyoto
The price is NZ$177 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
NZ$177
20 Aug - 21 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 ...
Cross Hotel 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 NZ$304 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
NZ$304
20 Aug - 21 Aug
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 ...
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER
See all 3,825 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 Kawaramachi Street 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 Kawaramachi Street and Sumiya Pleasure House. 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 Kawaramachi 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 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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