Top 10 Best Places to Stay in Kyoto

Nestled in a secret garden near Kinkaku-ji Temple, Aman Kyoto feels impossibly remote despite being minutes from central Kyoto. The property sprawls across a forested hillside originally planned as a textile museum. Pavilion-style rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows framing ancient cedar and maple trees. The design celebrates wabi-sabi aesthetics with natural materials, onsen baths, and serene minimalism.

Built around Shakusuien, an 800-year-old ikeniwa (pond garden) originally belonging to a samurai warlord, the Four Seasons Kyoto offers one of the city's most spectacular settings. The property is designed as a journey through Japanese culture, with art installations, a traditional tea house, and a restaurant overlooking the ancient garden. Located in the Higashiyama sightseeing district near temples and shrines.

Operating for over 300 years, Tawaraya is widely considered the finest ryokan in Japan, and perhaps the world. This 18-room inn has hosted emperors, prime ministers, and literary giants like Steve Jobs and Leonard Bernstein. Every detail is perfected: from the antique furnishings to the kaiseki cuisine, from the private gardens visible from each room to the impeccable omotenashi service. Reservations are famously difficult to secure.

Accessible only by private boat along the Oi River in Arashiyama, Hoshinoya Kyoto occupies a century-old ryokan reimagined with modern luxury. The dramatic approach sets the tone for an otherworldly escape. Rooms feature tatami floors with contemporary design touches, private terraces overlooking the river, and deep-soaking tubs. The property offers traditional activities like incense ceremonies and morning meditation.

Occupying a prime position along the Kamogawa River with views toward the Higashiyama Mountains, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto seamlessly blends Western luxury with Japanese aesthetics. The lobby features a stunning moongate and reflects the design of traditional merchant houses. Rooms offer either river or garden views, and the hotel houses multiple excellent restaurants including a Michelin-starred establishment.

Ace Hotel brought its signature creative hospitality to Kyoto in a striking collaboration with architect Kengo Kuma. The building incorporates a preserved 1926 telephone exchange building with contemporary additions featuring Kuma's signature wood lattice work. The lobby doubles as an art gallery and coffee shop, attracting a younger, creative crowd. Located downtown near Nijo Castle.

A serene urban retreat offering contemporary Japanese minimalism with thoughtful amenities, ideally located between Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace. The hotel features clean lines, natural materials, and a peaceful atmosphere that captures the essence of Kyoto. Guests enjoy complimentary sake hour and organic breakfast options.

Award-winning design hostel offering stylish shared and private accommodations with a vibrant social atmosphere, perfect for budget-conscious travelers seeking quality. The hostel features thoughtfully designed common areas, a rooftop terrace, and a central location that makes exploring Kyoto easy and affordable.

Hotel Kanra bridges traditional Kyoto aesthetics with contemporary comfort in a convenient location near Kyoto Station. Rooms are designed as modern interpretations of machiya townhouses, featuring tatami areas, hinoki wood baths, and minimalist decor. The hotel offers excellent value for its quality and is perfect for travelers who want easy Shinkansen access while still experiencing Kyoto's design heritage.

Sowaka transformed a 100-year-old traditional ochaya (tea house) into one of Kyoto's most stylish boutique hotels. Just 23 rooms blend historic architecture with contemporary design, featuring sukiya-style interiors, custom furnishings, and modern art. The ground floor restaurant La Bombance holds a Michelin star. Its location on Yasaka Shrine's doorstep makes it ideal for exploring Gion and Higashiyama.