The Best Hotels in Kyoto, Japan, for Every Traveller

Hiiragiya first started business in 1818, and has been passed down the family for six generations. One of the most famous luxury ryokans in Kyoto, its guests over the years include ancient samurai, Japanese royalty, and, more recently, celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor. The Japanese style rooms have wooden-beamed ceilings, paper screens, and tatami flooring. Combined with the view of the Oriental garden from some rooms, and Kyoto’s historical streets from others, it’s easy to forget the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in ancient Kyoto.

Housed in a beautiful wooden townhouse, Gion Hatanaka is a lovely old-fashioned ryokan where you can have a fantastic Japanese experience. Like traditional ryokans, most of the rooms in Hatanaka share a public bathing facility, separated by gender, where you can experience the relaxation of Japan’s bathhouse culture. Limited rooms with private bathrooms are also available. With its close vicinity to Gion, the geisha-training district, Hatanaka often has Maiko shows, where you can watch Maikos perform their traditional dances and songs.

Though smaller than some of the grand ryokans on this list, Shimizu is clean and well-maintained, and the owners are super friendly and warm. All rooms in Shimizu have a private bathroom, making it a great choice if you’re uncomfortable bathing with strangers. Located within 10 minutes of Kyoto Station, this cosy ryokan is a great base from which to explore Japan. They also offer a bike rental service.

This chic, modern designer hotel is a great place to relax and still be close to the city centre. Each of their uniquely designed guest rooms perfectly combine Japanese and Western culture. The most basic rooms have a Western bed and tatami mat area. Some rooms have private gardens, outdoor baths, or an additional floor, in the style of a loft or basement, adding to the sense of space and privacy. Although it is located just outside of the city centre, Hotel Kanra is close to a metro station, and the hotel has a bike rental service that allows you to experience this wonderful city on bike.