Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

Kyoto

Panoramic view of buildings containing Ninomaru reception rooms at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan. Stitched from 2 images using Canon PhotoStitch 3.1.
Photo by Pomakis (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5)
Panoramic view of buildings containing Ninomaru reception rooms at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan. Stitched from 2 images using Canon PhotoStitch 3.1.
Photo by Pomakis (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5)
Kyoto, Nijo-Castle
Minami-nakashikiri, Nijō-jō
Photo by Reggaeman (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
Kome-gura and Seinan-sumiyagura(Japan's national important cultural properties), Nijō-jō
Photo by Reggaeman (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Popular places to visit

Nishiki Market featuring markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Nishiki Market

4.5/5(50 reviews)

You can search for that perfect souvenir with a trip to Nishiki Market, a popular shopping spot in Kyoto.

Nishiki Market
Kyoto International Manga Museum showing a city

Kyoto International Manga Museum

You can study the exhibits at Kyoto International Manga Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your trip to Kyoto. Discover the top-notch restaurants and fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Kyoto International Manga Museum
Kiyomizu Temple featuring religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Kiyomizu Temple

4.5/5(157 reviews)

Kiyomizu Temple is just one of the places to see in Kyoto, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Kiyomizu Temple
Fushimi Inari Shrine which includes a temple or place of worship and interior views as well as a small group of people

Fushimi Inari Shrine

4.5/5(249 reviews)

Fushimi Inari Shrine is just one of the places to see in Kyoto, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Fushimi Inari Shrine
Nijo Castle which includes landscape views, a pond and heritage architecture

Nijō Castle

4.5/5(81 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Kyoto with a stop at Nijō Castle. Visit the temples and top-notch restaurants in this culturally rich area.

Nijō Castle
Stairs up to mountain and maple tree in Japan. Stairs in Park at Kinkaku-ji Zen Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Kinkaku-ji Temple

3.5/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of Kyoto when you take a trip to Kinkaku-ji Temple. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Top hotels in Downtown Kyoto

Hearton Hotel Kyoto

Hearton Hotel Kyoto

3 out of 5
Oike-agaru, Higashinotoin St. Nakagyo Kyoto Kyoto
The price is 1.162.197 ₫ per night from 21 Jan to 22 Jan
1.162.197 ₫
1.278.417 ₫ total
21 Jan - 22 Jan
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,099 reviews)
Clean room, decent size. Good location.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto

Cross Hotel Kyoto

3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori Kyoto Kyoto
The price is 2.801.725 ₫ per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
2.801.725 ₫
3.081.898 ₫ total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,921 reviews)
Everything is perfect, especially the staff.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Cross Hotel Kyoto
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
This hotel is really affordable and the service it provides at the price point is honestly a bargain. Maybe its because i went in january but still..

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

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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 Kyoto Kyoto
The price is 1.279.664 ₫ per night from 21 Jan to 22 Jan
1.279.664 ₫
1.618.775 ₫ total
21 Jan - 22 Jan
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! (1,375 reviews)
Wonderful staff

Reviewed on 17 Jan 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 4.356.580 ₫ per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
4.356.580 ₫
5.581.257 ₫ total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Pontocho Alley and Nishiki Market are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (371 reviews)
Clean room, great location, excellent staff and service

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Hilton Kyoto
Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto

Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto

3 out of 5
249, Kamihakusancho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
The price is 1.151.782 ₫ per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
1.151.782 ₫
1.266.960 ₫ total
29 Jan - 30 Jan
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (913 reviews)
Courteous staff

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto
See all 3,319 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

The Gion Matsuri Festival is Japans most famous festival. Musicians sit in huge floats that are pushed/dragged around town in Kyoto while the musicians play their flutes. There are two types of floats in The Gion Matsuri Parade, Yama and Hoko. There are 23 Yama and 10 Hoko. The Hoko floats can be up to 25 meters tall and weigh up to 12 tons. The main procession of the floats are held on the 17th of July, which is when this photo was taken. #Festival

Karasuma

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

Karasuma
Sanjo bridge in Kamo river kyoto Japan; Shutterstock ID 551073904; Purchase Order: -

Nakagyo Ward

5/5(10 area reviews)

Nishiki Market and Sanjo 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(46 area reviews)

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

Gion
Nijo Castle which includes a garden and a pond

Central Kyoto

4.5/5(364 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 Nishijin Textile Center and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

Central Kyoto
Komatsucho

Komatsucho

While visiting Komatsucho, you might make a stop by sights like Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street.

Komatsucho
Kyoto featuring autumn colours, snow and religious aspects

Kamigyo Ward

Noted for its historical sites and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Kamigyo Ward. Top attractions like Nishijin Textile Center and Kitano Tenmangū are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station to see more of the city.

Kamigyo Ward

Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

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