How to find an accommodation in Kyoto?

Finding an accommodation in Kyoto is not very easy, especially for foreign visitors. Kyoto is known as a compact city, but it has many different areas and countless attractions. Here, I’ll introduce how to find an accommodation in Kyoto, along with key areas and must-see spots.

Accommodation in Central Kyoto

Kyoto City is geographically divided into five main areas: Central, North, West, East, and South.

The central area is called “Rakuchu” (洛中). The character 洛 comes from the ancient Chinese capital Luoyang, while 中 means “center.” This unique way of naming an area is rare even in Japan and reflects a history of more than 1,000 years.

Rakuchu — Central Kyoto — is a very special area for local people in Kyoto.

In a narrow sense, when Kyoto locals say “Kyoto,” they sometimes mean Rakuchu alone.

Since Kyoto is a very compact city, staying at an accommodation in central Kyoto is one of the best ways to explore the city.

You can reach almost anywhere in Kyoto within an hour, which makes it extremely convenient for sightseeing.

Concretely speaking, central Kyoto usually refers to the area around Karasuma-Oike. This area is also considered the business center of Kyoto.

We are very happy to announce that we have opened a new Kyoto machiya-style accommodation right in Karasuma-Oike in Octobber 2025.

This house features a traditional Japanese design and has been newly renovated. We have already received great feedback from guests who have stayed with us, so please check our Airbnb listing and come stay with us.

Accomodations in Arashiyama Kyoto

Arashiyama area comes to 2nd option to find accommodation in Kyoto. One of the most famous area in Kyoto that has bamboo forest, Togetukyo bridge, Arashiyama mountains and trolley train.

Arashiyama is very popular area not only for foreign tourists but also all the Japanese people. Yes, Kyoto is very special place even for us Japanese people.

We started accommodation business from Arashiyama, It will be great if you choose to stay here.

Our hotel “The GrandWest Arashiyama” has great reviews on all of online travel agencies such as 9.2 on Bookimg.com, we are very confident to recommend you to stay with us.

Arashiyama is often the second most popular choice when looking for accommodation in Kyoto. It is one of the most famous areas in the city, known for the bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, the surrounding Arashiyama mountains, and the scenic trolley train.

Arashiyama is very popular not only with international visitors but also with Japanese travelers. Kyoto itself is a very special place even for us Japanese people, and Arashiyama is one of its most iconic destinations.

We actually started our accommodation business in Arashiyama, and we would be delighted if you chose to stay in this area.

Our hotel, “The GrandWest Arashiyama,” has received excellent reviews across major online travel agencies, including a score of 9.2 on Booking.com. We are confident in recommending it as a comfortable and memorable place to stay in Kyoto.

Accomodation in Higashiyama Kyoto

The Higashiyama area is also a good place to stay in Kyoto. “Higashiyama” literally means “eastern mountains,” and it refers to the eastern part of the city. This area is home to famous sights such as the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji), Nanzen-ji Temple, and the Philosopher’s Path, making it perfect for a relaxed walk.

However, Higashiyama is a bit far if you plan to visit Arashiyama. On the other hand, Higashiyama is very easy to access from central Kyoto. For this reason, I recommend staying in either central Kyoto or the Arashiyama area.

Ideally, if you are staying in Kyoto for more than two nights, the best option is to split your stay between central Kyoto and Arashiyama to enjoy both areas comfortably.

General accomodation situation in Kyoto, Japan

By the way, what are the typical features of Japanese accommodations? A common stereotype is that they are small and expensive, right? Unfortunately, that image is often true.

However, we believe that travelers need more space to truly relax and recover from their journey. That is why we created The GrandWest Arashiyama and FUWARI Kyoto Stay.

The GrandWest Arashiyama has only 10 rooms, and each room is over 53 square meters. FUWARI Kyoto Stay offers even more space, with over 120 square meters in total.

Japanese people are used to compact hotel rooms, but many international travelers are not. Some are genuinely surprised when they first see hotel rooms in Tokyo—sometimes as small as 10 square meters.

Price-wise, as you may already know, the historically weak Japanese yen now makes it easier to stay in higher-class accommodations than ever before. This is a great opportunity that should not be missed.

So please come to Kyoto and stay with us. We are confident that you will experience true comfort and relaxation in our accommodations.

Summary

Overall, this is one of the best times ever to visit Kyoto. You can enjoy this beautiful historic city at an affordable price, without having to stay in tiny hotel rooms anymore.

Please don’t forget that the best areas to stay in Kyoto are central Kyoto and Arashiyama.

Thank you very much for stopping by!