Central Kyoto

Kyoto

Nijo Castle which includes a garden and a pond
Nijo Castle which includes a small town or village, heritage architecture and a castle
Central Kyoto
Kyoto Tower showing a city, modern architecture and cbd
Nijo Castle showing a pond and a garden
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

Things to do


Central Kyoto Hotel Deals

Kyoto Brighton Hotel
Kyoto Brighton Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Nakadachiuri, Shinmachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is CA $236 per night from Apr. 30 to May 1
CA $236
CA $265 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 30 - May 1
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,117 reviews)
"Good restaurant, a bit far from shopping. Quiet place, more like a japanese local hotel rather than international one. Overall, good value hotel."

Reviewed on Mar. 31, 2025

Kyoto Brighton Hotel
KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
4 out of 5
724 Shimomatsuya,Kamanza-dori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is CA $318 per night from Apr. 28 to Apr. 29
CA $318
CA $352 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
"KOKO Hotels offers the perfect set up for your stay in Japan, their staff is super friendly and always accommodating, their locations are strategically located so you are always near a metro station or within walking distance of major transportation hubs. Will definitely recommend KOKO Hotels to ..."

Reviewed on Mar. 31, 2025

KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
Capsule Hotel CONTINUE Njojo-Kita
Capsule Hotel CONTINUE Njojo-Kita
2 out of 5
750, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $62 per night from Apr. 15 to Apr. 16
CA $62
CA $124 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 15 - Apr 16
Stay at this capsule hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (12 reviews)
"Great inexpensive social stay."

Reviewed on Mar. 16, 2025

Capsule Hotel CONTINUE Njojo-Kita
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is CA $191 per night from May 1 to May 2
CA $191
CA $214 total
includes taxes & fees
May 1 - May 2
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,868 reviews)
Visiting Kyoto
"Very close to Kyoto station. The onsen is very nice after a long day of wandering through Kyoto."

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is CA $338 per night from May 2 to May 3
CA $338
CA $371 total
includes taxes & fees
May 2 - May 3
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,795 reviews)
"One of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at in my life. Everything was incredible from the staff to the rooms to the view in the hotel."

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2025

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
3 out of 5
80 Mikuracho, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is CA $139 per night from Apr. 30 to May 1
CA $139
CA $152 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 30 - May 1
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street ...
9/10 Wonderful! (182 reviews)
"Lovely courtyard, wonderful breakfast, quiet neighborhood but close walking distance to both shopping and historic sites. Friendly and helpful staff, clean rooms, well maintained property"

Reviewed on Mar. 31, 2025

LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
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 neighbourhoods around Central Kyoto

Kyōto showing fall colors, religious aspects and snow

Kamigyo Ward

4.5/5(2 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
Kyōto which includes heritage architecture and a temple or place of worship

Nishijin

5/5(6 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
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

If you're spending time in Downtown Kyoto, check out sights like Nishiki Market or Kawaramachi Street and hop on the metro to see more the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(7 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
North Kyoto featuring heritage elements

Kita Ward

The mountain views and gardens are just a few things visitors like about Kita Ward. Kamigamo Shrine and Kamo Shrine are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Kitaoji Station or Kitayama Station to get around the larger area.

Kita Ward

Central Kyoto

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