Central Kyoto Travel Guide

Kyoto

Nijo Castle which includes a garden and a pond
Nijo Castle which includes a small town or village, château or palace and a river or creek
Central Kyoto
Kyoto Tower which includes central business district, modern architecture and a city
Nijo Castle featuring a garden and a pond

Ancient temples blend with modern architectural treasures while markets, museums, dining and shopping streets showcase thousands of years of Japanese traditions. 

Visit Central Kyoto to see where old and new Japan live harmoniously. Find beguiling religious landmarks, tour grandiose imperial gardens and marvel at contemporary masterpieces. Dine on mouthwatering delicacies at a centuries-old market and relax in a casual izakaya pub.

Start with a bird’s-eye view of the city from the observation deck of the 430-foot-tall (131-meter) Kyoto Tower. At Nijo Castle experience the power and wealth of the shogunate rulers who controlled Japan between 1600 and 1868. Kyoto Imperial Palace is the former residence of emperors and stands in the lush Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

Kyoto’s Buddhist devotion is evident at the serene Higashi Honganji Temple and Nishi Honganji Temple. Mibudera Temple dates back to the 10th century and hosts flamboyant religious pantomimes called Mibu Kyōgen. Admire the hexagonal shape of Rokkakudō Temple, the birthplace of ikebana flower arrangement.

Get an overview of city history and its arts and crafts movements at the Museum of Kyoto. The Kyoto International Manga Museum presents fascinating insights into the world of modern Japanese literary art. Browse displays of clothing worn by nobility during the Heian period at the Costume Museum.

Family-friendly attractions, pretty flower displays and walking trails await at Umekoji Park. See examples of historic and modern trains at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Kyoto Aquarium has many themed zones filled with exotic fish species, dolphins, penguins and a giant salamander. Walk amid cherry blossoms and visit a teahouse at Shosei-en Garden.

Satisfy your hunger with local specialties, such as sashimi, tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and yakitori (chicken skewers) at Nishiki Market. Noodle joints, sushi bars and avant-garde restaurants line Poncho Alley. Finish your day at craft beer bars or izakaya, the casual pubs that are popular with the after-work crowd.

Use the reliable system of buses, trains and the subway to travel between the attractions of Central Kyoto. Kyoto Station is the city’s main transportation hub. This futuristic-looking terminal doubles as a retail and entertainment complex.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Central Kyoto

Kyoto Brighton Hotel

Kyoto Brighton Hotel

4.5 out of 5
Nakadachiuri, Shinmachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ₹13,756 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
₹13,756
₹15,413 total
4 Nov - 5 Nov
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,516 reviews)
The hotel itself was awesome. Huge rooms, felt safe and staff were helpful. Unfortunately it was a bit of a walk to the station, and it seemed quite far away from a lot of things.

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Kyoto Brighton Hotel
KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection by Best Western

KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection by Best Western

4 out of 5
50 Daimonji-cho Marutamachi-Sagaru, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
The price is ₹14,787 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
₹14,787
₹16,266 total
27 Oct - 28 Oct
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (252 reviews)
Everything was pertect.

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
Randor Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

Randor Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

3.5 out of 5
521-2, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ₹8,235 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
₹8,235
₹9,100 total
29 Oct - 30 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, dry cleaning or laundry services and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nijō Castle and Kyoto ...
9/10 Wonderful! (148 reviews)
Stay was nice, would stay here again.

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Randor Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

4 out of 5
724 Shimomatsuya,Kamanza-dori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nijō Castle and Shijo Street are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
Modern design larger sized room

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ₹13,136 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
₹13,136
₹14,504 total
30 Oct - 31 Oct
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,611 reviews)
I liked the fact that they were changing the towels everyday and you would leave the garbadge out with the staff picking it up, without entering the room. I liked the "shoes off" policy too. The breakfast was good, but I went there 3 times and they never changedor rotated

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
74 Nakajimacho,Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ₹15,787 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
₹15,787
₹19,970 total
4 Nov - 5 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,320 reviews)
We had a fantastic stay in a spacious and spotless room that offered unforgettable panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline. The breakfast buffet was a highlight, with an incredible variety of high-quality Western and Japanese options. Best of all, the hotel's central location near Shinjuku Station made ...

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Central Kyoto

Kyoto featuring autumn colours, snow and religious aspects

Kamigyo Ward

Noted for its historical sites and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Kamigyo Ward. Top attractions like Nishijin Textile Center and Kitano Tenmangū are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station to see more of the city.

Kamigyo Ward
Kyoto which includes heritage architecture and a temple or place of worship

Nishijin

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Nishijin is a destination travellers like for its coffee shops, and you might hop aboard the metro at Imadegawa Station or Kuramaguchi Station to explore sights like Nishijin Textile Center.

Nishijin
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

While you're in Downtown Kyoto, take in top sights like Kyoto International Manga Museum or Museum of Kyoto, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

5/5(10 area reviews)

Sanjo Street and Nijō Castle are top sights in Nakagyo Ward, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station to see more sights in the area.

Nakagyo Ward
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Karasuma

Karasuma is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Nishiki Market and Museum of Kyoto, and you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
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Kita Ward

The mountain views and gardens are just a few things visitors like about Kita Ward. Kamo River and Funaoka Thermal Bath are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Kitaoji Station or Kitayama Station to get around the larger area.

Kita Ward