Kyoto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Heian Shrine showing a temple or place of worship, religious elements and heritage architecture
Kyoto featuring landscape views, a park and hiking or walking
Kyoto
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka featuring a city, a small town or village and a house
Kyoto

Kyoto Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Kyoto

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 Seimei-Jinja Shrine and Nishijin Textile Center.

Central Kyoto
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
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Shimogyo Ward

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

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.

Shimogyo Ward
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

While you're in Downtown Kyoto, take in top sights like Kyoto International Manga Museum or Rokakkudo Temple, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto
Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

5/5(2 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
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Karasuma

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

Karasuma
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
3 out of 5
44-1 Higashikujo Kamitonodacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is 1.574.359 ₫ per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
1.574.359 ₫
1.731.849 ₫ total
2 Jul - 3 Jul
Stay at this 3-star 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,665 reviews)
"Great location. Three minutes walk to JR line and other train and bus station. JR is the fast train going to different cities"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,201 reviews)
Highly recommend staying here
"Highly highly recommend! As soon as you step foot into the hotel, the service was amazing! The staff did not speak great English, but we were able to use simple words to communicate. The property itself is immaculate! No shoes are allowed as soon as you entered the hotel. I wore my white socks around ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,062 reviews)
"Really nice hotel with fairly spacious room for Japan. The entrance and lobby area is lovely. Short walk to goju station only 1 stop from Kyoto, and easy walk to Gion with loads of bar and restaurant options. Great lounge in the basement with complimentary drinks and snacks and beautiful onsen and ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

THE BLOSSOM 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.
Minn Gion
Minn Gion
4 out of 5
342-3 Miyoshicho Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, on-site spa services and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (271 reviews)
"Good location, we got the large room which was fantastic with a separate aleeping area so the little one can sleep first while we spent time in the living / dining room Washer dryer was great but needs english instruction however Google Translate is your friend. Overall great experience"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Minn Gion
Premium Apart MONday KYOTO GOJO
Premium Apart MONday KYOTO GOJO
4 out of 5
387-1 Shiogamacho, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (25 reviews)
"Really quiet location. Reception was extremely friendly and helpful. Gave us dining recommendations. Also, there is a FREE SHUTTLE to several sites in Kyoto. We took advantage of the free shuttle and it was fantastic. It was going to places we were planning on visit. We will definitely stay here ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Premium Apart MONday KYOTO GOJO
MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Sta. Kamogawa
MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Sta. Kamogawa
4 out of 5
137 Shinhiyoshicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and Netflix. Popular attractions Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (72 reviews)
"Super friendly and helpful staff. Close to public transport. Clean and comfy."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Sta. Kamogawa
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Kyoto

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
278
5 - Excellent 74%
4 - Good
87
4 - Good 23%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
6
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Third time visiting Kyoto. Will definitely be back again

5/5 - Excellent

Di

A fantastic place to visit. So much history and the temples are just awesome. Recommend a day tour if visiting for a short time but I am looking forward to exploring on my own and spending more time at some sites next time.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Kyoto has the best of both worlds...modern and traditional. Close to Osaka,Nara. Easy to get around.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice city and nice people

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Everything that Tokyo is missing.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Plan carefully as many places seemed to be under restoration. Also, it was considerably mor crowded with ( mainly mainland Chinese) tourists than our last visit

Cities near Kyoto