10 Best Kyoto Hotels for Sightseeing Around the City

Kyoto is a world-famous tourist destination that draws people from all over all year round. As such, the city is full of hotels, inns, and other styles of accommodations, but only some are located in strategic areas with easy access to the top tourist attractions. In this article, we’re going to list 10 such facilities for all those planning a thorough tour around Japan’s ancient capital.

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10 Best Kyoto Hotels for Sightseeing Around the City!

1. GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO

GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO is located in the heart of the city’s busiest area, just a 2-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. The hotel prides itself on providing guests with a comfortable and eco-friendly stay, prioritizing sustainability and relaxation for the mind and body.

The interior and guestrooms reflect a concern for the environment, with the hotel courtyard featuring a green wall of Asiatic jasmine that replicates Kyoto’s lush vegetation. At GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO, guests can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in a serene environment surrounded by greenery and nature.

With a variety of stylish rooms, including suites with terraces, guests can expect a warm and relaxing atmosphere during their stay. The hotel also offers environmentally-friendly amenities such as eco packaging that replaces disposable plastic products and 100% natural and organic cosmetics under their own brand.

The hotel building also houses several restaurants, markets, sweets and cosmetics stores, and other businesses that all operate under the same eco-friendly concept. The shops offer products and menus created in collaboration with local producers from Kyoto and other parts of Japan, all with their own unique visions and goals.

2. Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku

If you're looking for a hotel that's both convenient and steeped in tradition, Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku is just the place for you! The facility is strategically located a mere 3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station and a quick 5-minute subway ride from Kyoto Station. What's more, the hotel is housed in a renovated traditional machiya townhouse, a cultural property registered by the city of Kyoto, and is made up of a reception area, a guestroom building, and two bathroom floors.

The lounge & bar and reception area are elegantly designed to retain the traditional machiya style, giving guests a chance to experience authentic Kyoto architecture firsthand.

The guestroom building spans ten floors, with shared public baths located on floors 2 and 4 where guests can relax after a long day of sightseeing.

There are a total of 106 rooms in the hotel, with some featuring private spas. Despite the Japanese-inspired exterior, the rooms are modern and stylish and have been thoroughly designed for comfort and functionality, ensuring a pleasant stay for every kind of guest.

3. Aoi Hotel Kyoto

Aoi Hotel Kyoto is situated in the bustling Kawaramachi downtown area, making it a great base for exploring the city's major attractions.

The hotel boasts rooms with various themes, including Japanese-style rooms with high-end Italian furnishings and elegant sukiya-style rooms that incorporate traditional tea ceremony architecture into their design. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel's prime location by enjoying scenic views of the Kamo River from the spacious terrace.

As the hotel's main concept is that of simplicity, we recommend having dinner and breakfast delivered to your room for a fee. Enjoying a relaxed indoor meal while taking in picturesque views of the Kamo River is a simple luxury that is sure to create memories of a lifetime. In addition, guests can also request staff assistance in arranging reservations or recommendations for local restaurants.

4. The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa by Hulic

The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa by Hulic is a unique place built on the preserved remains of a 100-year-old elementary school. It's located just a 3-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station and within walking distance of popular sightseeing spots such as Gion, Nishiki Market, or nightspots like Ponto-cho and Kiyamachi. If you’re looking for a place with access to bustling townscapes during the day and fantastical nightscapes after sunset, then this is the hotel for you.

The hotel offers a total of 184 guestrooms, including 20 accommodations in the remodeled school building. The top-floor lobby, restaurant, and bar offer breathtaking panoramic views of the lush greenery of Mt. Higashi. Since Kyoto has few tall buildings, the views seem to go on forever and give guests a sense of freedom and openness.

In addition, the hotel has a guest-only fitness gym, making it especially recommended for those who want to keep up their daily workout routine or just stay active while traveling.

5. Agora Kyoto Karasuma

Agora Kyoto Karasuma is a hotel located in the heart of the city’s Shijo-Karasuma area. The guestrooms have a simple yet elegant design utilizing natural materials and colors such as washi Japanese paper. Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including suites with small, traditional Kyoto-style courtyard gardens, creating a calming and serene atmosphere.

At the hotel's in-house restaurant, guests can enjoy a delectable French course that perfectly blends the essence of Kyoto's local cuisine into its dishes. The meals are prepared from fresh, seasonal ingredients and are guaranteed to satisfy both the eyes and taste buds. We also highly recommend relaxing with a cup of matcha green tea served from a traditional tea kettle at the first-floor lounge.

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6. Ace Hotel Kyoto

Located in the heart of Kyoto, Ace Hotel opened in 2020 inside a commercial complex that also includes partially preserved and restored historic buildings. It has been recognized as one of the "World's Best New Hotels" by two very influential American travel magazines.

With a total of 213 guestrooms, Ace Hotel Kyoto offers various types of accommodations, from standard rooms to suites available across two buildings. Guests can choose from an array of interior designs, including a Japanese-Western hybrid featuring tatami mats and beds. The hotel is adorned with artwork and crafts by Japanese and American artists, creating a stylish space that combines chic sophistication with traditional warmth.

The hotel also provides a range of dining and beverage options, including an open-air rooftop bar, Italian and Mexican restaurants, and a coffee shop. The lobby area additionally features an elegant gallery annex, which should appeal to guests with a keen eye for art.

7. Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto

Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto is conveniently located within walking distance of popular downtown areas such as Kawaramachi and Gion, and just a short stroll from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station.

The interior of the hotel is adorned with traditional Kyoto crafts, creating a serene and calming atmosphere. Arriving guests are welcomed with a pleasant proprietary aroma that sets the tone for the rest of their relaxing stay. Rooms are designed with modern aesthetics while featuring tatami mats, a quintessentially traditional Japanese flooring style. For a restful night's sleep, the rooms also include beds incorporating low-resilience pocket coil mattresses and neck and shoulder-friendly pillows.

If you're planning to dine at the hotel, why not try the cafe lounge with its open and airy atmosphere? You can indulge in a buffet-style breakfast carefully curated by a dietitian or enjoy the varied offerings of the lunch and dinner menus.

The first floor of Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto houses a large bathhouse where guests can rest and relax after a day of traveling while enjoying views of an elegant courtyard garden.

8. NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO

NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO is an ideal choice for travelers who want to be near some of Kyoto's most famous spots like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine, and within walking distance of the Gion quarter. The hotel's interior is beautifully designed with sophisticated artwork and music from artists with ties to Kyoto, as well as collaborative products from the cutting-edge field of spatial design. Additionally, the hotel is committed to preserving the environment by using green energy to achieve zero CO2 emissions, as well as by offering organic amenities and natural food for all its meals.

Guestrooms come in three types: double, twin, and suite, each one furnished with traditional Kyoto craftsmanship, from the furniture to the tableware and lighting fixtures. Guests can also enjoy the hotel's original music thanks to the high-quality speakers installed in every room. The hotel additionally boasts several food and beverage facilities, including a grill restaurant, a bakery-cafe serving freshly baked bread and coffee, and a rooftop bar with a panoramic view of the city.

For those seeking spiritual relaxation, there is a meditation room located on the first basement floor. The guestrooms themselves also offer a range of unique experiences like "fragrance mixing " and "matcha tea making" that are sure to create lifetime memories of your stay at this hotel.

9. SH by the square hotel Kyoto Kiyamachi

Let's take a look at our next hotel located in the famous Kiyamachi area. This narrow street is packed with numerous restaurants, and walking around the area is a popular and invigorating experience among domestic and foreign tourists. At night, the shop lanterns are lit up, creating a fantastical atmosphere like something out of a dream.

Rooms on the upper floors offer breathtaking panoramic views of the tranquil Kamo River and the majestic Mt. Higashi in the distance. The hotel offers various room types, including a premier twin room that can accommodate up to three people with an extra bed.

The breakfast menu features dishes using A4-grade Omi beef, locally-grown rice, pickles, and other Kyoto delicacies. On the second floor, there is a cozy lounge where guests can relax with some Japanese tea, coffee, and other beverages. Come and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet after a day of sightseeing or before heading out. You deserve it.

10. Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto

This hotel is conveniently situated within walking distance of various popular tourist attractions such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Nishiki Market (known as the kitchen of Kyoto), and the Kyoto International Manga Museum.

The hotel features 14 guestrooms that are really more like apartments with separate living rooms, bedrooms, and compact kitchens, in the hopes of giving guests a “home away from home” experience. The rooms are equipped with spacious walk-in closets and washer-dryers (suites only), making them perfect for large groups or medium- to long-term travelers.

If you make a reservation before 4:00 pm, you can indulge in a homemade breakfast the following morning. Start your day with a full stomach and enjoy a day of sightseeing to the fullest.

Rest in Style and Comfort After Sightseeing Around Japan’s Ancient Capital

With its breathtaking scenery, rich history, delectable cuisine, and art, Kyoto is an unforgettable destination that you should visit at least once. Add to that the perfect hotel that meets all your travel needs, and you’re basically guaranteed the best vacation of your life. We hope this article has helped you find your perfect hotel so that you can make the most out of your next visit to Kyoto. Safe travels!

 

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