The area around the vast, futuristic main station in the south — modern hotels, the bullet-train and bus hub, and the great Fushimi Inari and To-ji temples nearby. Less charming but supremely convenient and better value, with everything a train or bus away; the practical base, especially for day trips.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€120–220
typical per night in Japan
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Kyoto — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Kyoto Station and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Nishiki Market26 min walk2.2 km
- The Higashiyama lanes28 min walk2.3 km
- Gion & the geisha district8 min taxi2.5 km
- Kiyomizu-dera8 min taxi2.6 km
- Nijo Castle10 min taxi3.3 km
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)20 min taxi6.5 km
- Tenryu-ji & its garden25 min taxi8.4 km
- The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove26 min taxi8.7 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 1.Fushimi Inari Shrine — The most famous sight in Kyoto — thousands of vermilion torii gates winding in endless tunnels up a sacred wooded mountain, dedicated to the rice god Inari, guarded by stone foxes. Free and open around the clock; go at dawn or dusk to walk the upper trails in near-solitude and beat the crowds.
- 15.To-ji Pagoda — The tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, a five-storey, 55-metre landmark near the station, at a serene temple full of superb Buddhist statues — and, on the 21st of each month, host to a huge, atmospheric flea market of antiques, crafts and street food. A striking, less-visited sight; time it for the market if you can.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Kyoto Station; flights via Google Flights.