Northern Kyoto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kyoto which includes a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a garden
Kyoto which includes a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a garden
Philosopher\'s Walk showing a garden
North Kyoto showing a park
Shokoku-ji Temple showing a temple or place of worship and a garden

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Where to stay in Northern 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 Nishijin Textile Center and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

Central Kyoto
Panoramic view of buildings containing Ninomaru reception rooms at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan. Stitched from 2 images using Canon PhotoStitch 3.1.

Downtown Kyoto

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

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 Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, 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
Kyoto featuring forest scenes, a garden and landscape views

Arashiyama

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You might enjoy the river views while in Arashiyama. Sagano Romantic Train is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Saga-Arashiyama Station or Torokko Arashiyama Station to see more of the city.

Arashiyama
Philosopher\'s Walk which includes a park and a river or creek

Sakyo Ward

5/5(1 area review)

Noted for its gardens and mountain views, there's plenty to explore in Sakyo Ward. Top attractions like Shimogamo Shrine and Kyoto Concert Hall are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Matsugasaki Station or Kokusaikaikan Station to see more of the city.

Sakyo Ward
Cross Hotel Kyoto

Cross Hotel Kyoto

3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori Kyoto Kyoto
The price is £100 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
£100
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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 breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,017 reviews)
Très bien situé

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Cross Hotel Kyoto
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
The price is £90 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
£90
3 Mar - 4 Mar
additional charges may apply
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,551 reviews)
Clean room. Great staff

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
sequence KYOTO GOJO

sequence KYOTO GOJO

4 out of 5
409 Gojokarasumacho Shimogyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto
The price is £47 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
£47
26 Feb - 27 Feb
additional charges may apply
Stay at this spa hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (681 reviews)
Clean rooms

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

sequence KYOTO GOJO
See all 1,980 properties in Northern 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.
nol kyoto sanjo

nol kyoto sanjo

3.5 out of 5
700, Osakazaimokucho, Nakagyoku Kyoto Kyoto
Stay at this aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (329 reviews)
This hotel was so nice we completely changed our honeymoon itinerary to come back to Kyoto and stayed here twice. Absolutely adored the room, the service, the staff - super helpful with luggage forwarding and the hotel is in a really lovely part of Kyoto. Truly a special place in a special city.

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2026

nol kyoto sanjo
Premium Apart MONday KYOTO GOJO

Premium Apart MONday KYOTO GOJO

4 out of 5
387-1 Shiogamacho Kyoto Kyoto
Stay at this aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (148 reviews)
Large hotel room. Clean. Lots of room. Great shower. You can hear people walking around in the room above. The floor was paper thin and you could hear every step. Had to re-wash clothing after using the washing machine. It left everything very musty smelling, could use a cleaning cycle. The location ...

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

Premium Apart MONday KYOTO GOJO
KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

4 out of 5
724 Shimomatsuya,Kamanza-dori Oike-agaru Kyoto Kyoto
Stay at this aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nijō Castle and Shijo Street are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (227 reviews)
Clean and spacious rooms. Very friendly staff and convenient location close to shrines, transit and Nijo Castle

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2026

KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
See all properties in Northern 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.

Popular places to visit

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

Nishiki Market

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.

Nishiki Market
Nijo Castle which includes landscape views, a pond and heritage architecture

Nijō Castle

Visit the world of the wealthy and powerful shogun, in this opulent 17th-century castle complex.

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

Built in the 14th century for a shogun, then rebuilt twice, this temple is now a Buddhist site and its top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.

Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kyoto_KyotoImperialPalace_501429_01

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace is just one of the places to see in Kyoto, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the fascinating museums and temples in this culturally rich area.

Kyoto Imperial Palace
The clock tower of Kyoto University

Kyoto University

Explore the campus of Kyoto University during your visit to Kyoto. Discover the fascinating museums and temples in this culturally rich area.

Kyoto University
Yasaka Shrine which includes heritage architecture and a temple or place of worship

Yasaka Shrine

Observe traditional Shinto architecture, pretty lanterns and sacred rituals at this historic shrine, home of the annual Gion Festival and Kyoto’s favorite cherry blossom park.

Yasaka Shrine

Things to do

Gion Geisha District Maiko

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

£18
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha
Kyoto Highlights: with Nijo Castle Ticket & Bamboo Forest

Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera & Fushimi Inari

£72
per adult
Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera & Fushimi Inari
eSIM: Airalo Japan Package

eSIM: Airalo Japan Package

£3
per traveller
eSIM: Airalo Japan Package
Historical Nara & Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour

Historical Nara & Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour

£89
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Historical Nara & Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour
Osaka/Kyoto:Arashiyama,NaraPark,FushimiInari Shrin

From Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Tour

£38
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
From Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Tour
Kyoto Top 4 Must-see Attractions One Day Sightseeing Trip

Kyoto Top Four Highlights Day Trip from Osaka or Kyoto

£49
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kyoto Top Four Highlights Day Trip from Osaka or Kyoto
See all activities in Northern Kyoto

Cities near Northern Kyoto

Heian Shrine showing a temple or place of worship, religious elements and heritage architecture

Kyoto

arashiyama(Katsuragawa)
Photo by 柳田亮 (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Kameoka

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