Where to stay in Kyoto: Best areas and locations for Malaysians

Kyoto’s a stunning city, rich in history and culture, and a top tourist destination for Malaysians heading off to Japan - but where should you stay?

Read on for your full guide to which area to stay in Kyoto. If you’re new to the city, we’ve got you covered with where to stay in Kyoto for first timers. If you’re on the move with youngsters we’ve got ideas of where to stay in Kyoto with family for you. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way for you to save while spending abroad.

What types of accommodation are there in Kyoto?

Accommodation options in Kyoto are plentiful, and include hotels, hostels, villas, serviced apartments and Ryokan - traditional Japanese-style inns. You’ll be able to shop around according to your personal preferences and budget to find the best place to stay in Kyoto for your specific trip.

Umbrella sites listing all types of accommodation, like Booking.com¹, are a good place to start, with handy filter and map views to help you narrow down your search once you’ve got a feel for your options. Plus, this guide can also help you pick the best area to stay in Kyoto based on your preferred itinerary.

Is Airbnb legal in Japan?

Yes. AirBnB is legal in Japan². The hosts will need to be licensed or registered according to their accommodation type, and they’ll need to take your ID to comply with legal requirements.

It’s good to know that just in Kyoto AirBnB³ has almost 5,000 properties, including some great options if you’re wondering where to stay in Kyoto with kids - over 2,000 of the AirBnB options available are listed as family friendly.

Where to stay in Kyoto for first timers?

Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japanese culture, and the place to go to get a feel for life in days gone by. You’ll be able to spot geisha, visit shrines, take part in a tea ceremony, learn traditional flower arranging - and of course, try the local sake and delicious foods.

Because of its cultural significance, Kyoto gets local and international visitors alike, and can be very busy at peak periods. Prices also go up when accommodation is in demand. You may find some top attractions pretty busy, so being located close enough to attractions that are on your itinerary that you can visit either early in the day, or in the evening once the day crowds have left is ideal. Here are a couple of hot locations to consider.

Downtown Kawaramachi

From a practical perspective, Downtown Kawaramachi is a great place to stay on your first visit to Kyoto. It’s easily accessible from the airport, and has great transport links and plenty of food and drink options around, including budget choices. It’s not a traditional area - but you’re only a short walk from areas which are, like Gion. This means you can enjoy the convenience and relatively reduced cost of staying in New Kyoto, while still being able to explore the key tourist draws on foot.

You’ll need to shop around to get a feel for the costs of accommodation in Downtown Kawaramachi - there are some reasonably priced places, but as space is at a premium what you gain in convenience you may lose in room size.

Higashiyama

You’ll be walking distance to many of the most popular tourist sights here in Higashiyama. The downside is that it can get busy during the day - if you prefer a more peaceful place look for hotels or ryokan in the northern part of this area. The upside of course is convenience - and once the day tripping crowd leaves in the early evening, the area is all yours to enjoy.

A world heritage site, the Kiyomizudera Temple, is a must-do in Kyoto, and very convenient if you stay in Higashiyama, along with many other peaceful temples, shrines and parks.

Where to stay in Kyoto with family?

If you’re coming to Kyoto with family you’ll want to make sure you’re staying somewhere convenient for getting around, and with easy access to all the sights. It’s a bonus if you can also have places locally to stroll, with family friendly dining options. We’ve got a couple of suggestions here, focusing on staying either right in the heart of the action, or a bit outside to benefit from more space and peace. Explore these great places to stay in Kyoto with family to see if either work for your specific needs.

Gion

Gion is in Southern Higashiyama which we’ve already highlighted - but we wanted to call out Gion in particular if you’re on a family trip and want a full immersion experience with traditional streets, passing geisha and tea shops to call in to when you need a short break.

You’ll be able to wander the narrow lanes of wooden houses, and visit important cultural sites like Yasaka Shrine. Plus, you can join in a tea ceremony, and as this area is home to working geisha, you’ll likely see some passing as you go about your day. When you need a bit of quiet, head to the Shirakawa Canal which is a beautiful waterway criss-crossed by stone bridges, and a great place to see the sakura in springtime.

Kyoto Imperial Palace/Nijo Castle Area

The area surrounding Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle isn’t so commonly visited, outside of the main sights. This means that it’s relatively quiet as a place to stay, while still offering easy access to the popular tourist attractions which you want to hit early to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Getting into Nijo Castle early in the day can make it far easier to navigate with kids, as you’ll have peace to view things as you wish. The area also benefits from lots of outdoor options including the Botanic Gardens if you want to stroll with the family.

Where to stay in Kyoto on a budget?

Kyoto is a popular destination, and accordingly the costs of accommodation can be quite high. You’ll be able to get a better deal if you avoid peak times, and weekends, when local travellers add to the swell of visitors. If you’re planning your trip with a fixed budget in mind, be sure to book accommodation as soon as possible, as the cheaper places may sell out fast. In case you miss out, we've also highlighted an alternative option - staying in Osaka and coming to Kyoto on one or more day trips.

Kyoto Station

For budget travellers, the thing you’ll likely need to sacrifice is being walking distance to the main tourist sights. This being the case, the area surrounding Kyoto Station makes a good choice. There’s a lot of accommodation options here, giving more choice and more opportunity to find a good deal. And while the area isn’t somewhere on the tourist agenda, it’s got great connections to everywhere that is, plus cheap eating and drinking all round.

Osaka

Obviously Osaka is not in Kyoto - it’s a city in its own right, but thanks to fantastic rail links you can get from Osaka to Kyoto in about half an hour on regular trains, or under 15 minutes by shinkansen. Kyoto accommodation can be pricey - particularly at weekends, as it’s a popular weekend destination for Japanese tourists. It also books up super quickly, which may mean that finding budget options is a struggle. Osaka can be a great alternative, with lots of accommodation choices a very short ride away by train.

Save even more on your travels when paying in foreign currency with the Wise card

Check out Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home. Top up in MYR from your bank or with a card, and manage your money in JPY with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.

You can use your Wise card to spend in 150+ countries around the world, in over 40+ currencies. Start spending with your free virtual card, or order a physical Wise card for a one time fee. This grants you some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month as you travel, to save time waiting at a money changer.

Choose to convert your MYR to JPY in advance at your desired rate, or leave it to Wise’s auto conversion and spend in MYR directly. All Wise currency exchanges use the rate you see on Google, so you’ll know you’re getting a great deal without the hassle.

From castles and temples to food and cafes, there’s so much to do in Kyoto you’ll want to make the most of every moment. Remember to pack your Wise card, for easy and cheap spending and cash withdrawals so you’ll be able to do more with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

🚀 Get started with Wise

1. Booking.com
2. AirBnB Help
3. AirBnB Kyoto