Central Kyoto

Kyoto
Nijo Castle which includes a small town or village, a castle and heritage architecture
Ancient temples blend with modern architectural treasures while markets, museums, dining and shopping streets showcase thousands of years of Japanese traditions. 

Visit Central Kyoto to see where old and new Japan live harmoniously. Find beguiling religious landmarks, tour grandiose imperial gardens and marvel at contemporary masterpieces. Dine on mouthwatering delicacies at a centuries-old market and relax in a casual izakaya pub. 

Start with a bird’s-eye view of the city from the observation deck of the 430-foot-tall (131-meter) Kyoto Tower. At Nijo Castle experience the power and wealth of the shogunate rulers who controlled Japan between 1600 and 1868. Kyoto Imperial Palace is the former residence of emperors and stands in the lush Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

Kyoto’s Buddhist devotion is evident at the serene Higashi Honganji Temple and Nishi Honganji Temple. Mibudera Temple dates back to the 10th century and hosts flamboyant religious pantomimes called Mibu Kyōgen. Admire the hexagonal shape of Rokkakudō Temple, the birthplace of ikebana flower arrangement.

Get an overview of city history and its arts and crafts movements at the Museum of Kyoto. The Kyoto International Manga Museum presents fascinating insights into the world of modern Japanese literary art. Browse displays of clothing worn by nobility during the Heian period at the Costume Museum.

Family-friendly attractions, pretty flower displays and walking trails await at Umekoji Park. See examples of historic and modern trains at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Kyoto Aquarium has many themed zones filled with exotic fish species, dolphins, penguins and a giant salamander. Walk amid cherry blossoms and visit a teahouse at Shosei-en Garden.

Satisfy your hunger with local specialties, such as sashimi, tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and yakitori (chicken skewers) at Nishiki Market. Noodle joints, sushi bars and avant-garde restaurants line Poncho Alley. Finish your day at craft beer bars or izakaya, the casual pubs that are popular with the after-work crowd.

Use the reliable system of buses, trains and the subway to travel between the attractions of Central Kyoto. Kyoto Station is the city’s main transportation hub. This futuristic-looking terminal doubles as a retail and entertainment complex.


Popular places to visit


Central Kyoto Hotel Deals

Hotel Emion Kyoto
Hotel Emion Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
Sujakudonokuchicho 20-4, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,211 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
NT$2,211
per night
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (838 reviews)
Love this hotel
"So close to the station, very friendly staff, clean, unbelievable hot spring, tasty breakfast, many restaurants on the site, next door to the hotel where 7eleven is located. I will stay there again!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/22

Hotel Emion Kyoto
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,846 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
NT$3,846
per night
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,317 reviews)
"Convenience to dining and public transportation. The optional buffet style breakfast was exceptional which is a huge plus. Cute decor here and there which mixes traditional and modern nuances are nice touches. I booked with an impression that the hotel might have been around for awhile since it has ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/28

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (568 reviews)
Amazing stay
"Staff were professional, efficient, and made us feel welcome right from the start. The breakfast buffet was delicious and healthy. Appreciated how the hotel was a few steps away from Gojo Subway, bus stop, and awesome restaurants."

Reviewed on 2024/3/28

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
3 out of 5
565-3 Kita Fudondo-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is NT$6,141 per night from Apr 15 to Apr 16
NT$6,141
per night
Apr 15 - Apr 16
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (373 reviews)
"Our stay was amazing - the hospitality and food (breakfast, afternoon tea and aperitif) are excellent. However the cleaning could be improved, I still see hair on the floor after a full clean (no they offer eco cleaning or full clean). It’s close to Kyoto station and city loop bus stop which is ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/16

Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
3 out of 5
396, Gojokarasuma, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is NT$2,741 per night from Apr 26 to Apr 27
NT$2,741
per night
Apr 26 - Apr 27
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (755 reviews)
"The staff and hotel services were extremely English friendly. It went along way in having an easy and relaxing stay"

Reviewed on 2024/3/16

Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is NT$4,828 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$4,828
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,023 reviews)
"Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing Cross Hotel. I'm always worried about choosing hotels - that the reviews are inaccurate etc. Not with the Cross! Front staff and check in - remarkable. Breakfast buffet - out of this world. Rooms - so clean, so modern, so chic. Bathrooms - fantastic. ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Cross Hotel 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.

Other neighborhoods around Central Kyoto

Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(52 area reviews)

Travelers love Nakagyo Ward for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street.

Nakagyo Ward
Central Kyoto

Karasuma

Visitors to Karasuma love its popular shops, and you can check out Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Kyōto showing fall colors, religious aspects and snow

Kamigyo Ward

4/5(5 area reviews)

Noted for its historic sites and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Kamigyo Ward. Top attractions like Kawaramachi Street and Seimei-Jinja Shrine are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station to see more of the city.

Kamigyo Ward
Kyoto Tower showing a city, night scenes and city views

Shimogyo Ward

4.5/5(96 area reviews)

Shimogyo Ward is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Kawaramachi Street and Kyoto Railway Museum. See more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Tanbaguchi Station or Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station.

Shimogyo Ward
Gion which includes cycling, street scenes and night scenes

Gion

5/5(208 area reviews)

Unique features of Gion include the monuments and shopping. Make a stop by Yasaka Shrine or Kyoto Gion Lamp Museum while you're exploring the area.

Gion
Kyōto which includes heritage architecture and a temple or place of worship

Nishijin

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Nishijin is a destination travelers like for its coffeehouses, and you might hop aboard the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station to explore sights like Seimei-Jinja Shrine.

Nishijin

Central Kyoto