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

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

£23
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

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

£90
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience

£25
per adult
Eikando Temple Kyoto Kimono Rental with Hair Styling Experience
Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour

Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour

£55
per adult
Historical Nara & Kyoto Morning Bus Tour
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

£74
per adult
Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear
Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

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

£37
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour
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 £46 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
£46
30 Aug - 31 Aug
additional charges may apply
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
Hotel Monterey Kyoto

Hotel Monterey Kyoto

4 out of 5
604 Manjuya-cho, Sanjo-sagaru Kyoto Kyoto
The price is £43 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
£43
30 Aug - 31 Aug
additional charges may apply
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,071 reviews)
"Very nice hotel spacious very close of many points of interest"

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2026

Hotel Monterey Kyoto
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 £63 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
£63
23 Aug - 24 Aug
additional charges may apply
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
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto

Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto

4 out of 5
165-1 Moriyama-cho Kyoto Kyoto
The price is £44 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£44
17 Aug - 18 Aug
additional charges may apply
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,054 reviews)
"Beautiful stay. Great location!"

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2026

Oakwood Hotel Oike 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 £104 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
£104
20 Aug - 21 Aug
additional charges may apply
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Kawaramachi Street and Fushimi Inari ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (524 reviews)
"Room too small. Laundry is limited."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2026

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo PREMIER
Agora Place Kyoto Nijo

Agora Place Kyoto Nijo

2 out of 5
25 Marutamachi, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
Fully refundable
The price is £13 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£13
27 Aug - 28 Aug
additional charges may apply
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Kawaramachi Street and Fushimi Inari Shrine are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"The Agora place is a no frills but relaxed hotel. There are amenities on the ground floor that are all you need. The room was a reasonable size and very clean. The staff were helpful and friendly. There is a large supermarket very close. The hotel is close to the Nijo castle and Imperial palace and ..."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2026

Agora Place Kyoto Nijo
See all 3,814 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 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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