Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
June 7, 2026
When planning a trip to Kyoto, choosing accommodations that capture the essence of Kyoto's charm or quiet, secluded lodgings will not only allow you to fully enjoy Kyoto's tourist attractions, but also make your stay itself a special, uniquely Kyoto experience. However, because Kyoto is a popular tourist destination, accommodations are often difficult to book, so advance planning is recommended if you want to stay at your ideal place. This time, we have carefully selected nine luxury accommodations where you can deeply experience the charm of Kyoto. We will also introduce accommodations with private open-air hot springs where you can avoid the crowds. Finally, we have compiled frequently asked questions about Kyoto sightseeing and choosing accommodations.
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When choosing accommodation in Kyoto, be sure to keep the following points in mind:
Kyoto has a wide range of accommodations, from luxury inns to reasonably priced places. To avoid making a mistake in choosing your accommodation by placing too much emphasis on cheapness, it is important to choose an accommodation that strikes a balance between your desired budget and the services offered by the accommodation.
If you're going to Kyoto, it's a good idea to prioritize an experience that is truly Kyoto-like. Choose accommodations that offer services that are truly Kyoto-like, such as meals made with Kyoto ingredients and natural hot springs.
Kyoto is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers. Accommodation demand is particularly high during peak seasons such as cherry blossom season and autumn foliage season. Once you've decided on your accommodation, it's best to book as early as possible to ensure you have a reservation.
In the popular city of Kyoto, if you choose a place to stay in an area rich in nature and where traditional culture remains strong, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy exploring Kyoto's hidden gems.
Below, we introduce three carefully selected accommodations where you can deeply experience the charm of Kyoto.
"Retour Kyoto" is a lodging facility in the northern part of Kyoto City. At this lodging facility, you can enjoy a relaxing stay in Kyoto in a villa or lodge, surrounded by the beautiful nature and clear streams of Kyoto.
The northern part of Kyoto City is attractive for its many tourist spots where you can experience nature in a way that is different from the tourist spots within Kyoto City, such as Joshoji Temple, a famous spot for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and Keihoku Rose Garden.
If you want to experience even more of Kyoto's fascinating depths, you can head south for about 25 minutes by car from the accommodation to Kyoto's power spots, Kifune Shrine and Kurama Temple.
Located in the Yuhigaura Onsen area, "SUNSET GLAMPING GLAMPROUGE YUHIGAURA" is another distinctive luxury accommodation where you can deeply experience Kyoto.
Located in an area known as "Kyoto by the Sea," this accommodation offers the added benefit of being able to enjoy the sunset at Yuhigaura, which has been selected as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. You can also enjoy natural hot springs at the hot spring facility next to the accommodation.
This accommodation is also recommended as it is just about an hour's drive from the Ine Funaya Village, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely sightseeing experience in Kyoto.
The accommodation also has its own private garden where you can relax under the stars.
Miyama Glamping Kayagura, located in Miyama, Kyoto, is a lodging facility located close to Kayabuki-no-Sato, a neighborhood lined with thatched-roof houses.
The area surrounding the accommodation offers plenty of attractions, including Rennyo Falls and the Ishida Family Residence, which is considered to be the oldest farmhouse-style house in Japan.
The Miyama area is full of tourist attractions, yet it's not crowded, making it a great place to enjoy a relaxed sightseeing experience.
The facility has a shared barrel sauna, and you can also use the large public bath with an open-air bath at "Miyama-cho Nature and Culture Village Kajikasou," which is about a 5-minute drive away, as a day-trip bathing option.
BBQ and hot pot dishes made with fresh local ingredients from Miyama are also a must-try culinary experience.
If you want to fully enjoy the charms of Kyoto, accommodations in the northern Kyoto area, specifically the Amanohashidate area, are also highly recommended.
Below, we introduce three accommodations where you can fully enjoy Amanohashidate, a famous scenic spot in Kyoto.
Glamp Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate is a glamping accommodation facility equipped with natural hot springs.
Here, you can enjoy BBQ dishes made with an abundance of ingredients from the Kyoto/Amanohashidate area. Experience gourmet food and nature at the same time, with Kyoto Wagyu beef, fresh vegetables from our own farm, and more.
From your accommodation, you can easily access the Amanohashidate Observatory, which offers a magnificent view resembling a rising dragon. Just a 5-minute drive away is the beautiful Kyoto Prefectural Tango Sea and Star-Viewing Hill Park, where you can admire Miyazu Bay and a sky full of stars, making it perfect for enjoying Kyoto's nature.
If you're planning a trip to Kyoto and Amanohashidate, I highly recommend "Blue Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate," which features a distinctive blue dome.
Each guest room is equipped with a natural hot spring bath, and in the summer, you can also enjoy playing in the sea at the nearby beach.
If you head north for about 15 minutes, you can also see the boathouses of Ine.
Another recommended accommodation is "Aqua Village Kyoto Amanohashidate," which features rows of dome tents.
Each guest room is equipped with an open-air bath, and there is a yacht harbor nearby. Guests can enjoy the charm of Kyoto's sea and a wide range of marine activities while staying at the hotel.
Furthermore, they also sell baby food and offer toy rental services, making it perfect for families with young children.
Kyoto is a popular tourist destination, and accommodation within the city is particularly popular, so it can be difficult to make reservations depending on the time of year.
In such cases, looking to neighboring Shiga Prefecture is also a good option.
Shiga has good access to Kyoto city, and you can save a little on accommodation costs, or find accommodation with facilities and services that you wouldn't expect in Kyoto city.
We will introduce three accommodations in Shiga that are also recommended for trips to Kyoto.
Lakeside Resort & Cafe AFUMI KITAKOMATSU, located near Lake Biwa, is about an hour's drive from Kyoto Station.
Some guest rooms are equipped with open-air baths, allowing you to relax in the hot springs while enjoying the view of Lake Biwa and spending peaceful time in the comfort of your room.
If you want to experience not only Kyoto but also the charm of Shiga, we recommend the Grand Dome Shiga Takashima as your accommodation.
The accommodation has a dedicated dining area and a private garden, allowing you to enjoy a hotel-like stay whilst immersed in nature.
The accommodation is about an hour's drive from Kyoto city. There are several day-trip hot springs nearby, allowing you to relax and unwind after your trip to Kyoto.
If you want to enjoy both Kyoto and Shiga at the same time, we also recommend "GLAMPING SPA RESORTS Lake side terrace biwako," which is about an hour's drive from Kyoto city center.
This glamping facility offers a variety of room types, including tents, cottages, and suites. All rooms are equipped with hot spring baths, allowing you to fully relax even in the middle of your trip.
In addition to enjoying Kyoto's history and culture, be sure to experience the unique lakeside atmosphere of Shiga Prefecture. Enjoying BBQ dishes provided at your accommodation while surrounded by nature is also a major draw.
Some people might worry that Kyoto's tourist attractions are all shrines and temples, and that children might get bored. However, Kyoto, a world-renowned cultural capital, not only boasts beautiful buildings of historical value, but also many hidden gems offering unique experiences that can be enjoyed by all five senses, from children to adults, as well as breathtaking natural scenery.
Along with Miyajima in Hiroshima and Matsushima in Miyagi, Amanohashidate is considered one of Japan's "Three Most Scenic Views" and is a representative landmark of northern Kyoto (Kyoto by the Sea). A sandbar with approximately 8,000 pine trees densely growing along the mouth of the bay, stretching for about 3.6 km, creates a rare geological formation that dynamically divides Miyazu Bay in two. When viewed from the observation deck by looking at the scenery between your legs, the miraculous natural scenery that appears like a bridge to the heavens is an absolute must-see spot on any trip to Kyoto.
Nestled in the mountains of northern Kyoto, often referred to as the "inner sanctuary," Kifune Shrine is the head shrine of all Kifune Shrines nationwide and is known as one of Japan's leading power spots for good fortune and matchmaking. It is also famous as the birthplace of "ema," the wooden plaque on which people write their wishes. In summer, it offers cool riverside dining, and in autumn, it is a famous spot for the beautiful autumn foliage that colors the mountains. It is a special place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience Kyoto's rich nature and mystical Japanese atmosphere.
Kyoto's food culture has evolved uniquely and developed an unparalleled charm thanks to three conditions cultivated over many years. The first is its abundant "pristine water." The second is the development of "court and temple cuisine (vegetarian cuisine)." The third is its "inland geographical environment," far from the sea. These elements have come together to create a cuisine that "uses dashi (broth) as its framework, seasonal ingredients as its soul, and embodies refined elegance."
This created a unique culinary world that is distinctly Kyoto.
This is an incredibly simple and pure hot pot dish, made with only pure spring water and tofu. Highly nutritious and warming, it is widely known as a specialty of the approach to Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto. Finely textured tofu made with Kyoto's pure soft water is warmed in a broth infused with the umami of kelp, and served with a special sauce and condiments. Its light and delicate flavor is loved by many tourists, including vegetarians and health-conscious individuals.
Uji in Kyoto is a renowned production area for high-quality tea, representing Japan. Uji tea is considered one of the "Three Great Teas of Japan," alongside Shizuoka tea and Sayama tea (though Sayama tea is sometimes referred to as one of the "Two Great Teas of Japan" along with Shizuoka tea due to its smaller production volume). When visiting Kyoto, rich matcha sweets are a must. In particular, enjoying them with traditional Japanese sweets such as the chewy "matcha warabi mochi" or the Kyoto traditional confection "nama yatsuhashi" brings out the unique bitterness and elegant sweetness of matcha, resulting in an exceptional flavor.
When planning a trip to Kyoto, it's recommended to choose accommodation that offers a truly Kyoto-esque atmosphere. Kyoto's autumn foliage is generally at its best from mid-November to early December. The Higashiyama area, Arashiyama, Kibune, and mountainous tourist spots tend to change color relatively early. During the peak of the autumn foliage season, it gets very crowded, so it's best to leave early and check the latest foliage conditions before you go to plan your itinerary.
Finally, we've compiled some frequently asked questions about sightseeing in Kyoto and choosing accommodations. We hope this helps you plan your itinerary more smoothly.
Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine are very popular and are must-see spots for anyone visiting Kyoto who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
When sightseeing in Kyoto, be sure to also visit Tenryu-ji Temple, Byodo-in Temple, and Daigo-ji Temple, which are registered as World Heritage Sites as "Cultural Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."
Miyama and Amanohashidate, which I introduced this time, are excellent places to enjoy Kyoto's natural scenery. Leave the city center and experience a different side of Kyoto in these picturesque areas.
Kyoto offers beautiful scenery throughout the year, making it appealing no matter what season you visit.
Besides the iconic Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Toji Temple, where you can enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms at night, and Nijo Castle, with its historical atmosphere, are also excellent cherry blossom viewing spots to visit in spring.
The Gion Festival, with its history spanning over a thousand years, is one of Japan's three major festivals, held annually in Kyoto in July. Visiting during the festival period allows you to experience the charm of this ancient capital more deeply.
The best time to see autumn leaves in Kyoto is from mid-November to early December. Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama is known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, and Kodaiji Temple is also lit up at night.
Kyoto is not a region that receives heavy snowfall, but in winter, you can occasionally see a silvery-white snowscape around Kinkaku-ji Temple and Kifune Shrine. The scenery created by the ancient architecture and the snowscape is as beautiful as a painting.
In addition to tourist attractions, Kyoto also has delicious seasonal cuisine to try.
In spring, enjoy traditional Japanese sweets like dango while admiring the cherry blossoms. In summer, we recommend shaved ice or matcha parfaits made with Kyoto matcha. In autumn, you can enjoy Kyoto-style home cooking using seasonal ingredients. In winter, you can't miss Kyoto's famous yudofu (boiled tofu) and herring soba, which originated in Kyoto.
Please use the following as a guide when booking accommodation for each travel plan.
If you're planning a trip to Kyoto and the surrounding areas, we recommend booking a 3-4 night stay, using the accommodations in Kyoto and Shiga introduced in this article as a reference.
Amanohashidate areaBlue Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate"Or"Aqua Village Kyoto AmanohashidateThis accommodation features private hot spring baths in each guest room. It's highly recommended for those who want to relax and unwind during their trip.
Those who particularly enjoy natural hot springs and open-air baths might want to choose accommodations that are close to hot spring facilities.
The accommodations in the Yuhigaura Onsen area introduced in this articleGrand Rouge -Yuhigaura-The surrounding area boasts numerous hot spring facilities, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing soak while taking in the ocean view.
This time, we introduced a selection of recommended accommodations for your trip to Kyoto.
Kyoto boasts numerous accommodations that offer a glimpse into the local culture, as well as hotels serving distinctive local cuisine. Each offers a truly enriching experience of the ancient capital's charm.
When choosing accommodation, considering not only your budget but also factors such as the type of meals available and the convenience of transportation will make it easier to find accommodation that meets your needs.
*This column was created based on information as of June 2025.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
