STAY DEPARTMENT
Where to stay
Ryokan, business hotels, machiya townhouses and hostels — matched to district and budget.
6 guides live in this department — more added weekly
All where to stay guides
Ryokan vs. Hotel in Kyoto: Which Should You Book?
What a ryokan actually gives you over a hotel, who it suits, and how machiya townhouse stays fit in as a third option.
Best Areas to Stay in Kyoto: Which District Fits Your Trip
Kyoto Station, Downtown, Higashiyama or Arashiyama — how to actually choose where to base yourself.
Machiya Stays: Renting a Traditional Kyoto Townhouse
What a machiya stay actually involves, who it suits, and what to check before booking one.
Hostels & Budget Stays in Kyoto
Kyoto's design-forward hostel scene, capsule hotels, and budget business hotel chains — what you get and what you trade off.
Booking a Ryokan or Hotel in Kyoto: Platforms and Practicalities
Why ryokan booking doesn't always work like hotel booking, and what to know before you commit.
Ryokan with Private Onsen: Is It Worth the Splurge?
What you're actually paying for with an in-room private onsen, and when it's worth it over a shared bath.
Looking for something specific?
Search the whole index, or browse by district instead.