The 6 Coolest Hotels in Kyoto

For many, Kyoto is the symbolic capital of Japanese history and culture. Its winding streets, historic districts, and iconic architecture make this city a must-visit destination. Kyoto’s must-visit status is evident in its prefecture’s astounding record of 88 million visitors in 2019, making it one of the country’s most visited destinations.

As the hub of tradition and cultural preservation, the city is an ongoing experiment of how modern architecture adapts to a rich cultural history: creating a fusion between the buildings of the past and the needs of the present. One of the signs of change can be seen in the new diversity of hotels in the city – which have grown in number to accommodate the influx of visitors to the area.

To help you navigate the many options, we’ve compiled a list of six of the coolest hotels in Kyoto, ranging from ryokans which have survived several eras, to contemporary and comprehensive hotels covering your every single need.

A stone's throw away from the Kyoto Imperial Palace is the JUNEI Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace West. Its concept is simple but masterfully executed: use all five senses to immerse each guest in an unforgettable Kyoto experience. From the Japanese-modern art pieces adorning the walls to the "living" background music, the hotel aims to whisk you away to an entirely different dimension.

JUNEI Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace’s meals are also equally impressive. For breakfast, the hotel curates a wonderful array of colorful side dishes presented shidashi-style, a term used for bento prepared by professional and artisanal caterers. For vegans, THE JUNEI HOTEL also provides a Vegan kaiseki breakfast option (traditional multi-course Japanese meal) proudly cooked with organic vegetables.

The hotel offers spacious premium double rooms or deluxe twin rooms with options to include breakfast or not, depending on your own personal itinerary. It also has a sister location in the Higashiyama Ward, closer to Kyoto station, but with a different concept entirely. Each room in the Kyoto Imperial Palace location also boasts a shigaraki-yaki (stoneware pottery made in Shigaraki) bathtub and an extensive cosmetic set to wash the day's troubles away.

"Embracing Japan's Beauty" - is the concept behind HOTEL THE MITSUI Kyoto. Positioned just outside Nijo Castle, HOTEL THE MITSUI is a hotel that demonstrates its storied history loudly and proudly. This luxurious destination sits on what was once the Kitake family's home site; the Kitakes were an executive branch of the Mitsui family. Blending nature, scenery, and history and distilling those sensations into a single experience, it embodies Kyoto's elegance.

Starting with their rooms: the 161 guest rooms are a modern reimagination of the classical Japanese tearoom, with a focus on natural materials and fine craftsmanship. Each room has its own bathtub, with some of the suite options coming with a private onsen (hot spring). The rooms and suites are categorized by size and city view, with some offering views of the internal garden or the neighboring castle. HOTEL THE MITSUI Kyoto’s Presidential Suite claims to be one of the largest suites in the city.

The hotel’s food and beverage facilities consist of 5 distinct offerings: SHIKI-NO-MA, TOKI, FORNI, and THE GARDEN BAR. Each looks over the hotel’s 1300-meter-square Japanese garden which itself aims to foster harmony between gardens and manmade structures. After an eventful day, guests are invited to let their problems dissolve in the hotel’s thermal spring facilities.

Looking for a night of grandeur with a view overlooking a 300-year-old castle? Then HOTEL THE MITSUI Kyoto is the right call. Just as a friendly reminder, this place is very popular so book once you have your dates locked in.

With only 13 rooms, The Screen is a sleek and modern take on “hospitality by design” in Kyoto. The boutique designer hotel aims to cater to a wide range of guests with its unique guest room options. Each room was designed by a different local or overseas creator, offering guests the luxury of choosing their own style. The Screen aims to be a refreshing departure from the traditional Japanese hotels that are all too familiar in the city.

Located in the Nakagyo ward, the hotel offers quick access to Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, and other iconic Kyoto destinations. At the hotel is BRON RONNERY, a restaurant combining French cooking ideas and Kyoto produce. On the top floor is their Champagne garden SHO-KI, which gives a beautiful view of the surrounding Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and the surrounding district.

The Screen Hotel is a top choice for travelers who want to break out of the familiar traditional hotel experience and indulge in their modern hospitality at the heart of Kyoto.

The intimate, seven-room wagashi-themed (traditional Japanese confectionery) Nazuna Kyoto Gosho Ryokan’s central location puts guests a stroll away from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and quick access to Nijo Castle and Kyoto station.

Before it was turned into a ryokan, the two large kyomachiya (traditional Kyoto-style townhouse), which are the structures making up the inn, was formerly home to a lumber business. While the preservation of these famous townhouses is becoming more common, many larger kyomachiya are bulldozed due to their high renovation costs. With this project, the Nazuna team hoped to preserve a piece of history while ensuring that future generations could enjoy Kyoto’s history.

Guests have a choice of one of the seven rooms in one of the townhouses and are invited to enjoy the Japanese garden that connects the two. In the second townhouse, the dining/lounge space opens up for a traditional Japanese breakfast or complimentary refreshments later in the day. Can’t find availability? Check out Nazuna’s other concepts like Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-Jo or Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St.

Nazuna Kyoto Gosho is a highly authentic Japanese inn that is perfect for those seeking a discrete but luxurious oasis right in the middle of Kyoto.

Located in Sanjo, the Dhawa Yura Kyoto by Banyan Tree Group is a luxurious getaway on the vibrant edge of Kyoto. Sandwiched between the Kamo River and various temples, the Dhawa Yura Kyoto is a contemporary and casual hotel that integrates comfort, design, and technology into each and every guest experience. Minutes away, you'll find venerable temples, bustling shopping streets, and a platter of culinary destinations.

More than anything, the Dhawa Yura Kyoto is positioned as your no-nonsense companion as you explore Kyoto. Equipped with rooms and suites of all sizes, the hotel aims to accommodate travelers of varying needs and expectations. Recently launched was their 8elements Spa, Banyan Tree Group’s first spa offered in Kyoto, named after the group’s eight pillars of wellbeing, infinity, and the natural elements. The hotel also hosts Grill 54th, an all-day grill dining experience, and their Lounge & Bar 1867, which is the perfect place to look over the Kamo River with one of their ultra-modern cocktails.

In summary, the Dhawa Yura Kyoto is an incredible hotel for those seeking a convenient location to get to cultural hotspots without compromising on comfort.

Seikoro Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn founded in 1832. It offers exceptional hospitality, attentive service, beautiful gardens, tatami mat flooring, and hot springs. The ryokan has been run by the same Japanese family, evolving into the traditional inn it is today. It's located on the East Bank of the Kamo River, making it easy for guests to get to sites like Kiyomizu-dera.

The guest rooms have been refurbished to incorporate modern elements and comforts, with a sitting area that offers views into the garden. The hotel offers a multi-course kaiseki dinner, and its staff has been praised for their attention to detail inside and outside the kitchen. The inn features cypress and pine baths which face the garden and even allow furry members of the family (if they're small) to join you on your stay.

Whether you're looking to relax in the hot springs or explore the beautiful gardens, Seikoro Ryokan offers the perfect balance of comfort and tradition.