Where to Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas & Family Hotels

Kyoto ended up being one of our favorite stops in Japan, and not because of anything we paid for. If you close your eyes and imagine Japan, you are probably envisioning somewhere in Kyoto. Some of the most beautiful, immersive experiences of the entire trip were completely free. Here's where we stayed, where we'd point other families to look, and why Kyoto might be the best value city on your whole itinerary.

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Where We Stayed: Hotel Grand Bach Kyoto Select

We stayed at Hotel Grand Bach Kyoto Select, right in the Kawaramachi area, about a 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station. That location put us within easy reach of downtown shopping, restaurants, and the Kamo River, and made it simple to get out to the rest of the city by train.

The Honest Take: Kyoto's Best Moments Are Free

This is the thing that stood out most about Kyoto: it felt like the most authentic, real version of Japan on our whole trip, and most of what made it feel that way didn't cost us anything. Fushimi Inari Taisha, with its thousands of red torii gates climbing the mountain, is completely free to visit. Nishiki Market is free to wander (you only pay for what you actually eat or buy). Just walking the streets of Kyoto, especially through the older neighborhoods, felt like an experience in itself.

We also visited the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is free, but we'll be honest: it didn't live up to the hype for us. It's worth a quick stop if you're already in Arashiyama, but we wouldn't build a special trip around it.

The one paid attraction that genuinely impressed us was the Monkey Park in Arashiyama. It has an entrance fee, but it's affordable, and watching wild monkeys up close with a mountaintop view over the city was one of the best things we did in Kyoto, paid or free.

Curious what we actually spent in Kyoto? Read more: What We Spent in Kyoto: A Real Cost Breakdown

The Areas: Where to Actually Stay in Kyoto

Kyoto is spread out, and where you stay changes how easy it is to reach the temples, markets, and neighborhoods that make the city worth visiting. Here's the breakdown:

Kawaramachi / Downtown Kyoto - where we stayed. Central, walkable, close to Nishiki Market and the Kamo River, and well-connected by train. A strong pick if you want to be in the middle of everything without paying Gion prices.
Gion / Higashiyama - Kyoto's traditional heart, with lantern-lit streets, teahouses, and easy walking access to Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine. Quieter and more atmospheric than Kawaramachi, especially in the evenings.
Kyoto Station / Shimogyo-ku - the most convenient area if you're planning day trips to Nara, Osaka, or Hiroshima, since you're steps from the shinkansen and every major train line. Less charming than Gion, but hard to beat for logistics.
Arashiyama - on the western edge of the city, home to the Bamboo Grove, the Monkey Park, and the Togetsukyo Bridge. A quieter, more nature-focused base, about 25-30 minutes from downtown by train.

Family-Friendly Places to Stay, By Area

If you're traveling with kids, here are a few solid options in each area.

Kawaramachi / Downtown Kyoto

Hotel Grand Bach Kyoto Select (where we stayed) - Centrally located about 5 minutes from Kawaramachi Station, putting us within walking distance of Nishiki Market and downtown dining.
MIMARU Kyoto Shijo - Apartment-style suites with kitchens and bunk beds, a solid pick if you want more space and the option to cook simple meals.
Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi - A budget-friendly, family-friendly option right in the downtown area, known for a strong breakfast.

Gion / Higashiyama

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto - Offers free cribs and family-oriented amenities, with easy walking access to Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine.
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion - A quieter boutique hotel with traditional touches, good for families who want a calmer home base near the temples.
Cross Hotel Kyoto - Spacious by Kyoto standards, with family rooms available, sitting right between Gion and Kawaramachi.

Kyoto Station / Shimogyo-ku

MIMARU Kyoto Station - Apartment-style suites with kitchens and bunk beds, ideal if you're using Kyoto Station as a base for day trips.
Hotel Granvia Kyoto - Located directly inside Kyoto Station, about as convenient as it gets for train travel with kids and luggage.
Piece Hostel Kyoto - Family rooms with bunk beds, a shared kitchen, and laundry facilities, about a 5-minute walk from the station.

Arashiyama

Suiran, A Luxury Collection Hotel - A riverside luxury option with private onsen baths in some rooms, right in Arashiyama near the Bamboo Grove.
The GrandWest Arashiyama - A family-friendly hotel within walking distance of the Togetsukyo Bridge and Tenryu-ji Temple, and a short drive from the Bamboo Grove.
Ryotei Rangetsu - A traditional ryokan-style property known for a warm, kid-friendly stay and a genuinely cultural experience.

Practical Notes

Fushimi Inari Taisha is free and open 24/7, but it gets crowded fast - an early morning visit is worth the wake-up call if you want fewer people in your photos.
Skip the Bamboo Grove if you're tight on time. It's free, but it's also one of the most crowded, quickest photo-ops in the city and isn't worth rearranging your day around.
Budget a little extra time for the Monkey Park - the entrance fee is affordable, but between the hike up and the time you'll want to spend once you're there, it's easy to underestimate.
If you're staying in Arashiyama, plan for the 25-30 minute train ride into downtown Kyoto for anything outside the immediate area.

Wondering how Kyoto did overall with kids? Read more: Is Kyoto Good for Kids? Our Honest Take

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely. Kyoto gave us some of the most memorable moments of the whole trip, and most of them didn't cost a thing. If you're budgeting a Japan trip and wondering where to splurge versus save, Kyoto is proof that some of the best experiences are free.

Planning your own Japan trip? Check out my complete: 14-Day Japan Guidebook

Where to Stay in Kyoto: Our Honest Take