The 15 Coolest Hotels in Kyoto
We’ve spent hours researching blogs and glossy magazines for the best hotel recommendations. These are our top picks of the coolest hotels in Kyoto. Bon voyage!
Hannah, Travel Blogger
Updated
SOWAKA
A spectacular boutique hotel I’d truly recommend to people who’re looking to experience the real Kyoto. Perfect location and stylish rooms. The main building is a beautifully renovated old restaurant built over 100 years ago(!)
Open from November 2018, located near Gion district and featuring a Japanese garden, SOWAKA offers rooms in Kyoto. The renovated main building features traditional Kyoto-style decoration for guests to enjoy. Free WiFi is provided throughout the building.
At the hotel, all air conditioned rooms come with an electric kettle, minibar, fridge and wardrobe. Rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with extras including a hairdryer, bathrobe and nightwear.
Staff at the 24-hour front desk can help with information about the area.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is 1 km away and Heian Shrine is 1.6 km from the hotel. Itami Airport is 39 km from the property.
Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
Highly recommended modern Japanese boutique hotel. Worth it for the location alone. Relaxed, low key and spotless. Perfect place to stay in central Kyoto.
Offering air-conditioned rooms in the Nakagyo Ward district of Kyoto, Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo is 700 metres from Samurai Kembu Kyoto. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is 2.5 km from the city centre and 2 km from Heian Shrine.
At the hotel, rooms include a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge.
Guests at Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi can enjoy a buffet breakfast.
Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the accommodation, while Shoren-in Temple is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 39 km from Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo.
TSUGU Kyoto Sanjo by THE SHARE HOTELS
A newly opened nice minimalist hotel with clean and spacious rooms, wonderful staff and a great cafe downstairs. Great value for money.
Ideally located in the Nakagyo Ward district of Kyoto, TSUGU 京都三条 by THE SHARE HOTELS is set 800 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1.8 km from Samurai Kembu Kyoto and 2.2 km from Nijo Castle. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Attractions in the area include TKP Garden City Kyoto, 2.8 km away, or Kyoto Imperial Palace, situated 3.3 km from the property.
Continental and à la carte breakfast options are available every morning at the hotel.
Heian Shrine is 2.5 km from TSUGU 京都三条 by THE SHARE HOTELS, while Shoren-in Temple is 2.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 39 km from the accommodation.
RAKURO Kyoto by THE SHARE HOTELS
Great modern hotel in a fantastic location with excellent access to most of what Kyoto has to offer. Super friendly staff and the rooftop terrace was a great place to relax with a beer.
Situated in Kyoto, 1.3 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum, RAKURO Kyoto by THE SHARE HOTELS features air-conditioned accommodation and a bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Heian Shrine is 2.4 km away and Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.7 km from the hotel.
All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bidet, a hairdryer and free toiletries. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge.
Guests at RAKURO Kyoto by THE SHARE HOTELS can enjoy a à la carte or an Asian breakfast.
The accommodation offers a sun terrace.
Nijo Castle is 1.6 km from RAKURO Kyoto by THE SHARE HOTELS, while Kyoto Imperial Palace is 2.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 39 km from the hotel.
THE GENERAL KYOTO Takatsuji Tominokoji
Great hotel with a modern design aesthetic and very spacious rooms for Japan. Walking distance to Gion District with some very nice restaurants close by. Wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.
THE GENERAL KYOTO Takatsuji Tominokoji features a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Kyoto. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar.
At the hotel every room is equipped with air conditioning and a TV.
A à la carte breakfast is available daily at THE GENERAL KYOTO Takatsuji Tominok.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include TKP Garden City Kyoto, Kyoto International Manga Museum and Sanjusangen-do Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 38 km from THE GENERAL KYOTO Takatsuji Tominokoji.
Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Fantastic modern hotel, yet with Japanese elements. Beautiful, stylish interior, very nice onsen, and perfect location with lots of small restaurants and convenient stores really close. Highly recommended.
Situated just a 2-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Subway Station, Kyoto Granbell Hotel features modern architecture with hints of traditional Japanese design. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and there is a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage at this hotel. Hotel offers a maiko show twice a week for an additional charge for guests to experience the local culture.
The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, sofa and refrigerator. Each room includes a private bathroom fitted with a bath, hairdryer and free toiletries. Slippers are included for a comfortable stay.
The public bath, Komorebi, is available to staying guests and looks out into an inner Japanese garden. The lounge on site comes with large sofas, wooden tables and free coffee for guests. For a convenient stay for both business and leisure travellers, there is a 24-hour currency exchange machine located within Kyoto Granbell Hotel.
Guests can enjoy a Japanese and Western-style buffet breakfast at the restaurant and bar, Takedokoro, at this hotel for an additional fee. For those that prefer, Bar Konjiki provides guests with a place to relax with a drink at the bar counter that features gold-leaf decor and traditional wooden designs.
Bicycles are available for rent for an extra charge at the property on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests can take an 8-minute walk to Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in the district of Gion. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a 12-minute drive from Kyoto Granbell Hotel, while Heian Jingu Shrine is 20 minutes by bus and on foot from the property. A popular attraction for families, Kyoto Aquarium is a 30-minute bus ride away. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km or about 70-minutes away via train from Kyoto Granbell Hotel.
Rc Hotel
A very special place with fantastic staff. You simply have to see for yourself. Rooms are big and tastefully designed and furnished. Bathrooms are top-notch. Great location just off a busy tourist route but still quietly by itself.
Providing free WiFi and a garden in a renovated 50-year old building with mountain views from the property, Rc Hotel Kyoto Yasaka offers accommodation in Kyoto, 600 metres from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This 2-star inn has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The property is a 16-minute walk from Samurai Kembu Kyoto. Views include Hokanji Temple from the property.
At the inn, all rooms have a desk. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge.
Heian Shrine is 2 km from RC HOTEL KYOTO YASAKA, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.3 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 39 km away.
22 PIECES
Modern luxury accommodation at a reasonable price in a fantastic location, a few minutes walk from Kyoto main station. Very spacious and clean rooms and the staff were very friendly and hospitable.
22 PIECES offers rooms with free WiFi in Kyoto, in a prime location 1.8 km from Tofuku-ji Temple and 2.9 km from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 3.2 km away and Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 3.5 km from the hotel.
At the hotel each room includes a terrace with a view of garden or city. All rooms are fitted with a private bathroom and free toiletries, and certain rooms include a balcony. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.
Nijo Castle is 3.6 km from 22 PIECES. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.
Hotel Kanra
The designers did a magnificent job in recreating a Japanese style, yet modern and sophisticated property. Each room even has a tiny zen garden, very small but cleverly designed at the room’s entrance off of the corridor.
Just a 12-minute walk from Kyoto Station, Hotel Kanra Kyoto is an entirely non-smoking hotel, offering spacious rooms and a mix of traditional Japanese, modern and Western decor. All guest rooms feature free WiFi access and Japanese tatami (woven-straw) flooring.
Rooms feature a Japanese-style seating area and traditional Kyoto Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics. There is a wash basin, and the en suite bathroom comes with a wooden bathtub and free toiletries.
The 24-hour front desk provides concierge services and free luggage storage. There is a drinks vending machine on site and bicycles can be rented for an additional fee.
The hotel offers Teppanyaki and Italian cuisine, and a cafe featuring local seasonal ingredients. Japanese-style and Western set menus are offered for breakfast.
Nishiki Market is 14-minutes away via train and walk, while the Gion area, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo Temple are all within a 15-minute drive. Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine is 7-minutes from Kyoto Station via train and walk. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, a 50-minute drive away from the property.
BnA Alter Museum
Amazing boutique hotel featuring 31 unique art rooms you can sleep in, a multi-floor art gallery showcasing the best of Japanese contemporary art, and a bar with weekly art and music events. An unforgettable experience.
Ideally set in the centre of Kyoto, BnA Alter Museum offers air-conditioned rooms, a bar and free WiFi. The property is situated 2.1 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto, 2.2 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 2.4 km from Shoren-in Temple. The accommodation features nightclub and a 24-hour front desk.
All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms come with a private bathroom with a hot tub, a hairdryer and free toiletries. The units will provide guests with a fridge.
Popular points of interest near BnA Alter Museum include Samurai Kembu Kyoto, Sanjusangen-do Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 48 km from the accommodation.
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Taking over the city’s former Kyoto Central Telephone Company, built in the 1920s, this brand new hotel is perfect for design travellers seeking elevated, yet unfussy accommodations.
Ace Hotel Kyoto features a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and shared lounge in Kyoto. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel has a garden and a terrace. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.
All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a hot tub, a hairdryer and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with a city view. All rooms at Ace Hotel Kyoto are fitted with a seating area.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.
Kyoto International Manga Museum is 500 metres from Ace Hotel Kyoto, while Nijo Castle is 2 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 39 km from the hotel.
BenTen Residences
Beautiful Japanese style villa perfectly located in a quiet residential area with lots of restaurants in walking distance, yet only minutes to the major Higashiyama sights.
BenTen Residences offer a Japanese machiya accommodation in the heart of Higashiyama, Kyoto. Yasaka Shrine is 7 minutes on foot, while Kiyomizu Temple is a 14-minute stroll. BenTen Residences was featured as 1 of the Top 10 vacation homes in 2017 by Dwell. Free WiFi access is provided throughout the entire property.
Coming with heated flooring, the accommodation features a Western bedroom and two Japanese-style rooms with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and futon bedding. There are also a living area and kitchenette. Guests will also find a bath with a view of little garden and 2 toilets.
The concierge service is available to create bespoke itineraries and assist guests with arranging cultural experiences, restaurant reservations and airport shuttle. Car and bicycle rental can also be arranged.
Gion District is a 7-minute walk from BenTen Residences, while Heian Shrine is an 8-minute drive away. JR Kyoto Station is 20 minutes by car. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 38.6 km from BenTen Residences and Kansai International Airport is 80 km.
YADORU KYOTO Matcha No Yado
Authentic Japanese luxury. Beautiful room, stunning soaking bathtub, fabulous traditional breakfast, and superb location. A perfect stay.
Set in Kyoto and with TKP Garden City Kyoto reachable within 2.1 km, YADORU KYOTO Matcha No Yado offers concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a bar, free WiFi throughout the property and a garden. The property is located 3.4 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple, 3.6 km from Katsura Imperial Villa and 3.7 km from Nijo Castle. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, ticket service and luggage storage for guests.
The units come with air conditioning, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the ryokan all rooms are equipped with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
Guests at YADORU KYOTO Matcha No Yado can enjoy an Asian breakfast.
Kyoto International Manga Museum is 4.2 km from the accommodation, while Tofuku-ji Temple is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 36 km from YADORU KYOTO Matcha No Yado.
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
Small and intimate Ryokan perfectly located in downtown Kyoto but in a calm and peaceful residential neighbourhood. Fantastic staff, extraordinary breakfast, really nice rooms, superb private onsen in the garden.
Featuring free WiFi, Nazuna Kyoto Gosho is set in Kyoto. The property is around 650 m from Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1.2 km from Nijo Castle and 1.3 km from Kyoto Imperial Palace. The ryokan provides a shared lounge.
At the ryokan, every room includes a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The shared bathroom is equipped with a hot tub and free toiletries. All units are fitted with a seating area.
When guests need guidance on where to visit, the reception will be happy to provide advice.
Heian Shrine is 2.5 km from Nazuna Kyoto Gosho. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 49 km from the accommodation.
Ninehours
Very futuristic vibe. The capsule felt like I was on a spaceship. Extremely cool experience and very clean. Highly recommend this for anyone who wants to experience a capsule hotel.
Offering a spaceship-like atmosphere of clean lines and calm spaces, 9 Hours Kyoto provides unique capsule beds just a 2-minute walk from Kawaramachi Train Station. Completely non-smoking, the hotel has separate floors for men and women.
The custom-designed capsules at 9 Hours Kyoto Teramachi include a light-based alarm clock, specialised pillow and high-grade linens. Room wear and slippers are provided. Showers and toilets are shared, and the hotel offers its own Japan-made bathing amenities. Guests can stay in beds next to one another by reserving a two capsule room.
A convenience store is right next to the hotel, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from JR Kyoto Train Station. Yasaka Shrine is a 15-minute walk and Kodai-ji Temple is a 20-minute walk away.
The lobby has free Wi-Fi and a free-use internet station. The 24-hour front desk offers luggage storage.