Downtown Kyoto Travel Guide

Kyoto

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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Things to do

Kansai Shared Day Tour with Temples and Park

From Osaka: Kyoto and Nara Day Trip

Rp1.107.382
per adult
From Osaka: Kyoto and Nara Day Trip
Kyoto Fullday Tour Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari

Kyoto Full day Tour Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari

Rp1.031.715
per adult
Kyoto Full day Tour Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari
Arashiyama, SanzenIn and Bamboo Forest Day Tour

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sanzen-in Temple Day Tour

Rp1.428.880
per adult
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sanzen-in Temple Day Tour
Kyoto Highlights: Arashiyama, Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari & More

Kyoto by bus: Nijo Castle, Bamboo Grove & Fushimi Inari (EN/ES)

Rp1.768.239
per adult
Kyoto by bus: Nijo Castle, Bamboo Grove & Fushimi Inari (EN/ES)
Kyoto Kimono Rental CHAMATSU|Kimono/Yukata Rental FamilyPlan

Kyoto Kimono Rental CHAMATSU|Kimono/Yukata Rental FamilyPlan

Rp560.715
per traveller
Kyoto Kimono Rental CHAMATSU|Kimono/Yukata Rental FamilyPlan
Quick Kyoto Tour for the First-Timers by Local Tour Guide

Yu's Personalized Kyoto Tour with Photo: Samurai/Geisha History

Rp1.232.409
per adult
Yu's Personalized Kyoto Tour with Photo: Samurai/Geisha History
See all activities in Kyoto

Top hotels in Downtown Kyoto

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
The price is Rp1.157.755 per night from 9 Sept to 10 Sept
Rp1.157.755
per night
9 Sept - 10 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 Rp1.866.710 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
Rp1.866.710
per night
10 Sept - 11 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 ...
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 Rp2.836.487 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
Rp2.836.487
per night
15 Sept - 16 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! (543 reviews)
"Great hotel. Great location. Interesting check in procedure. A lovely stay otherwise. Everything within walking distance and super close to the metro station. Staff was all very friendly. Rooms were clean and nice."

Reviewed on 7 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 Rp1.054.993 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
Rp1.054.993
per night
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! (1,101 reviews)
"The service was amazing"

Reviewed on 7 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 Rp2.506.415 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
Rp2.506.415
per night
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,399 reviews)
"The staff was wonderful helpful them went beyond to help"

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2026

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 Rp1.102.241 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
Rp1.102.241
per night
8 Sept - 9 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 ...
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
See all 2,788 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.

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 Nishijin Textile Center 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 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 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