Hotels in Kyoto

Kyoto: Imperial Capital of 1,200 Years

Kyoto served as Japan's imperial capital from 794 until 1869, a 1,075-year reign that left the city with 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other Japanese city. The Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, with its 10,000 vermilion torii gates, sits southeast of the city centre in the Fushimi district. The Gion district, east of the Kamo River, preserves machiya townhouses and remains the centre of Kyoto's geiko culture. Arashiyama, 12 km west of Gion, anchors the city's bamboo grove and the 1339-founded Tenryu-ji temple.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster around Kyoto Station (Shinkansen access) and Kawaramachi in the central Nakagyo ward. Ryokan stays concentrate in Higashiyama, within walking distance of Kiyomizudera temple. Properties in Fushimi suit visitors prioritising the shrine trail and Nishiki Market is a 10-minute walk from Kawaramachi hotels.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Nozomi Shinkansen reaches Kyoto Station from Tokyo in 2 hours 15 minutes; from Osaka Shin-Osaka in 15 minutes.
• Transit: The Karasuma and Tozai subway lines plus city bus routes 205 and 101 cover most sights.
• Crowds: Higashiyama and Arashiyama draw peak crowds mid-March to mid-April (cherry blossom) and November (autumn foliage) — book accommodation 3–4 months ahead.
• Currency: Cash remains widely used; carry yen for temple admission fees and smaller ryokan.