
If you are planning a trip to Kyoto, you will want to choose your accommodation carefully. If you choose a lodging facility that allows you to feel the atmosphere of Kyoto or a secluded lodging facility, you can enjoy not only sightseeing around Kyoto's tourist spots, but also a special experience that is unique to Kyoto while staying at the lodging facility. However, as Kyoto is a popular tourist destination, it is important to consider your lodging facility early, as it may be crowded or the desired lodging facility may be fully booked. In this article, we will introduce 10 lodging facilities in Kyoto and its surrounding areas where you can experience the deep charm of Kyoto, while also suggesting areas where you can avoid crowds. We have also compiled answers to frequently asked questions about Kyoto sightseeing and choosing accommodation in Kyoto, so please read to the end.
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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 area both in Japan and overseas. Kyoto gets very crowded during Japan's tourist seasons, such as cherry blossom viewing and autumn foliage season, so once you've decided on the accommodation you want, make sure to book early.
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.
We will introduce three accommodations where you can experience the deep 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.
SUNSET GLAMPING "Grand Rouge -Yuhigaura-" in the Yuhigaura Onsen area is another accommodation where you can experience the deep charm of 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.
There are other sights around the property, such as Rennyo Falls and the Ishida House, Japan's oldest farmhouse.
Although the Miyama area has many tourist attractions, it is not crowded and you can enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace.
The accommodation has a shared barrel sauna, and if you stop by Miyama Town Nature and Culture Village Kajikaso, about a 5-minute drive away, you can enjoy a day trip to the large communal bath with an open-air bath.
We also recommend the BBQ and hot pot menus, which use fresh ingredients from Miyama, Kyoto.
If you want to fully enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto, we recommend staying at a lodging facility in the Amanohashidate area in northern Kyoto and taking your time sightseeing around the area.
We will introduce four accommodations where you can fully enjoy the charms of Amanohashidate, a famous Kyoto attraction.
Grand Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate is a glamping-style accommodation facility where you can enjoy natural hot springs.
The glamping BBQ uses plenty of ingredients from the Amanohashidate area of Kyoto, allowing you to taste Kyoto Wagyu beef, vegetables from the hotel's own farm, and more.
The property is also conveniently located to the observation point where Amanohashidate is said to look like a rising dragon. Kyoto Prefectural Tango Sea and Star View Park, a spectacular spot overlooking Miyazu Bay, is also just a five-minute drive away.
Farm Glamping Kyoto Amanohashidate is an accommodation facility located about a 5-minute drive from Amanohashidate's observation spot, Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park.
This accommodation has a food education theme, and you can experience harvesting vegetables and cooking at the accommodation. The glamping BBQ using Kyoto Wagyu beef and seafood from Miyazu, Kyoto is also excellent.
It is also recommended as a place to stay if you are visiting Nariai-ji Temple and the Nariai-ji Temple Panorama Observatory, which overlooks Amanohashidate.
If you are visiting Amanohashidate, Kyoto, we would also like to introduce the "Blue Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate," which features a distinctive blue dome. Each room has a natural hot spring bath, and in the summer you can enjoy swimming in the sea at the nearby beach.
If you drive north for about 15 minutes, you will see the "Ine Funaya" boat houses, and it is also nice to view them from the sea on the "Ine Bay Sightseeing Boat."
We also recommend Aqua Village Kyoto Amanohashidate, a lodging facility with a row of dome-shaped tents. All rooms at this lodging facility have an open-air bath, and it is adjacent to the yacht harbor. There are also plenty of marine activities to enjoy in the sea of Kyoto.
This accommodation is also considerate of guests with small children, offering baby food for sale and rental of toy sets.
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, we recommend considering accommodation in Shiga Prefecture, which is next to Kyoto.
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 is located right next to Lake Biwa, about an hour away by train from Kyoto Station without having to transfer.
Some rooms have an open-air bath, making this a recommended accommodation for spending a peaceful time on the shores of Lake Biwa.
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.
For those who want to enjoy both Kyoto and Shiga to the fullest, we recommend Glamping Spa Resort Lakeside Terrace Lake Biwa, an accommodation just one hour from Kyoto city.
This accommodation offers tent, cottage, and suite-type rooms, and a nice feature is that all rooms have hot spring baths.
Why not try the BBQ provided by your accommodation while enjoying the atmosphere of Shiga, which is different from Kyoto?
Finally, we will introduce some frequently asked questions about sightseeing in Kyoto and choosing accommodation in Kyoto, along with their answers.
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."
Additionally, Miyama and Amanohashidate, which are also introduced in this article, are must-visit tourist spots in Kyoto where you can enjoy the city's beautiful scenery.
Kyoto has beautiful scenery in every season, so no matter what season you visit there is something to enjoy.
In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms all over Kyoto, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto's most famous temples, Toji Temple, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night when they are lit up, and Nijo Castle.
The Gion Festival, which has more than 7 years of history, is held in Kyoto every July. It is one of the three major festivals in Japan, so we recommend visiting Kyoto during this time.
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.
There is little snowfall in Kyoto, but you can sometimes see snowy scenery around Kinkakuji Temple and Kifune Shrine within the city.
Also, when sightseeing during the cold seasons, it is recommended to take your time to explore indoor facilities such as the Kyoto National Museum and the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, and experience Kyoto's history and culture.
In addition to tourist attractions, Kyoto also has delicious seasonal cuisine to try.
In spring, why not try some rice dumplings that capture the atmosphere of Kyoto along with the cherry blossoms of Kyoto, in summer shaved ice and parfaits made with Kyoto matcha, in autumn Kyoto home cooking "Obanzai" made with seasonal ingredients of Kyoto, and in winter Kyoto gourmet dish yudofu and herring soba, which originated in Kyoto?
Please use the following as a guide when booking accommodation for each travel plan.
If you are considering sightseeing in Kyoto and the surrounding area, we recommend combining the accommodations introduced here in Kyoto with those in Shiga to secure accommodation for around three to four nights.
Amanohashidate areaBlue Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate"Or"Aqua Village Kyoto Amanohashidate" is a recommended accommodation facility as it has hot springs in the rooms.
Also, if you want to enjoy natural hot springs and open-air baths, we recommend that you consider lodging facilities adjacent to hot spring facilities.Grand Rouge -Yuhigaura-" There are plenty of hot spring facilities around the accommodation.
Above, we have introduced recommended accommodations for your trip to Kyoto.
Kyoto has many accommodations where you can experience the Kyoto atmosphere, including accommodations that boast hot springs and accommodations that feature cuisine made with local ingredients.
If you consider not only the cost but also the points you particularly want to prioritize, such as hot springs and food, when selecting accommodation, you will be less likely to make a mistake when choosing a place to stay.
Please use the information in this article as a reference when choosing your accommodation and enjoy a truly Kyoto experience to the fullest.
*This column was created based on information as of June 2025.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.
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