While most of these are apartment hotels, we have also included premium residence-style hotels that offer exceptional comfort for family stays.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s leading sightseeing cities, and famous spots visited by many travelers from Japan and abroad, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Nijo Castle, are scattered throughout the city.

In Gion and Higashiyama, you can walk through streets where stone-paved paths and machiya townhouses remain, while around Shijo Kawaramachi and Nishiki Market, you can also enjoy Kyoto-style dining and shopping.

Since sightseeing spots are scattered throughout the city, taking several days to explore at a relaxed pace lets you experience Kyoto’s deeper charms more fully.

By staying at an apartment hotel or residence-style accommodation, you can not only eat out, but also enjoy takeout and simple self-catering, and do laundry during your stay. This makes it easier to reduce luggage and enjoy a more comfortable trip.

Kyoto is home to many famous spots visited by travelers from Japan and abroad, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Nijo Castle. In Gion and Higashiyama, you can walk through stone-paved paths with machiya townhouses, while around Shijo Kawaramachi and Nishiki Market, Kyoto-style dining and shopping take center stage.

That said, Kyoto’s atmosphere and sightseeing convenience vary widely by area.

For family trips, group travel, and long stays, both the hotel facilities and the area you choose as your base matter.
For this article, we focused mainly on accommodations suited to family and group trips, as well as longer stays. In particular, we selected options based on the following three points.

When traveling with family or a group, it is helpful to choose accommodation where everyone can stay together to the extent possible. Sharing one room or unit makes it easier to discuss meals, plan the next day, and enjoy more of the trip together.

Here, we mainly selected accommodations with rooms that can accommodate four or more guests and offer a comfortable amount of space. Some include apartment-style rooms that can accommodate up to eight people, as well as rooms with multiple beds, Japanese-style rooms, and living spaces.

For some properties, we also considered features beyond the guest rooms, such as rooftop terraces overlooking the Kyoto townscape and open-air hot spring baths.
Check not only the guest capacity and room size, but also how you can spend your time during the stay.

When guest rooms have kitchens, microwaves, cookware, washing machines, and similar facilities, meals and laundry during multi-night stays become much easier. Even when you are tired of eating out, being able to prepare breakfast in your room or heat up takeout is a major advantage.

Kyoto also has many shopping streets and department-store food halls where you can enjoy local ingredients, prepared dishes, and Japanese sweets, including Nishiki Market, which is also called "“Kyoto’s Kitchen."” Bringing market finds back to your room lets you enjoy not only sightseeing but also the feeling of living in Kyoto for a little while.

Accommodations with washing machines or shared laundry facilities are convenient for longer stays when you want to pack lighter, as well as trips with children, who often need extra changes of clothes.

To enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto efficiently, it is important to choose an area that matches your purpose and travel style.
Here, we selected accommodations mainly in locations with easy access to major sightseeing spots, such as around Kyoto Station, Higashiyama-Gion, Shijo Kawaramachi-Karasuma, and the area around Fushimi Inari.

Around Kyoto Station
This area offers easy access to the Shinkansen, airport buses, JR lines, the subway, and city buses, making it convenient for travel on your first and last days. It also has commercial facilities such as Kyoto Station Building, Kyoto Porta, JR Kyoto Isetan, and Aeon Mall Kyoto, so dining and shopping are easy. It is a convenient base not only for sightseeing within Kyoto City, but also for side trips to Osaka or Nara.

Around Higashiyama and Gion
This area is perfect for visiting temples and shrines and strolling through distinctly Kyoto streets, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Heian Jingu Shrine, and Chion-in Temple. With stone-paved paths and machiya townhouses, early mornings and evenings offer a quieter atmosphere than the busy daytime tourist areas.

Around Shijo Kawaramachi and Karasuma
This is Kyoto’s main downtown area, home to Nishiki Market, department stores, and many restaurants. Dining and shopping are easy, and it is convenient for travelers who want to explore the city into the evening. With so many options for eating out and takeout, meal planning is flexible even on longer stays.

Around Fushimi Inari
This area is recommended for travelers who want to take their time while they visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, known for its Senbon Torii gates, as well as those who want access to the Kyoto Station area. It is easy to visit the shrine in the relatively quiet early morning hours, and the area also works well when combined with Kyoto Station sightseeing.

In addition to sightseeing spots, we also considered convenience, including nearby supermarkets, shopping streets, and restaurants.

From here, we introduce recommended apartment hotels in Kyoto.
Use the list below to compare maximum guest capacity, kitchen and washing machine availability, and the nearest station.
Compare the points that matter most for your family trip, group trip, and longer stay, and find an accommodation that fits your Kyoto itinerary.

This luxury apartment hotel is in the Higashiyama area, one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Kyoto. It is about a four-minute walk from Subway Higashiyama Station, located along the approach to Heian Jingu Shrine, and also offers easy access to Shoren-in Temple, Chion-in Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and the Gion area.

There are 16 guest rooms in total. Room types include two-bed and four-bed rooms of about 40 to 49 square meters, as well as suites of about 90 square meters, accommodating up to eight adults plus two children under six years old. Since all rooms are equipped with kitchens and washing machines with dryers, it is also convenient for family trips, group trips, and consecutive-night stays in Kyoto.

The room interiors are calm and Japanese-modern in atmosphere. Japanese-style touches can be felt throughout, including washi wallpaper incorporating auspicious traditional Japanese patterns. In addition to sofas, some rooms also have hanging chairs, making it easy to relax in the room after sightseeing.

The kitchen has a spacious cooking area and is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, and IH cooking heater. Basic cookware, seasonings, dishes, glasses, and cutlery are also provided, making it perfect not only for simple breakfasts and light meals, but also for those who want to cook using ingredients bought nearby.

The washbasin area has a washing machine with a dryer, and towels for the number of guests, various amenities such as toothbrushes and hairbrushes, and a hair dryer. Comfortable nightwear is also available, another plus when you want to pack light. The bathroom is also stocked with bath amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.

In the suite rooms, both spaciousness and facilities are further upgraded. Four double beds, a spacious island kitchen, and kitchen equipment are provided, which is convenient when you want to enjoy a light meal in the room with family or friends. The bathroom also has a jacuzzi where you can bathe while watching TV.

Near Higashiyama Station is the 24-hour Fresco Petit Higashiyama Sanjo store, which is convenient for buying breakfast bread and drinks, children’s snacks, or a few extra items at night.

In the early morning, visit Heian Jingu Shrine when the air is still quiet before the crowds arrive. During the day, take a relaxed walk through historic spots such as Yasaka Shrine and the Gion area. At night, enjoy prepared dishes or Kyoto ingredients bought at a supermarket in your room’s dining area without worrying about others. This kind of Kyoto stay is exactly where an apartment hotel shines.

This apartment hotel for families and groups is about a two-minute walk from Kyoto Station, the gateway to the city. Located by the Hachijo East Exit, it offers easy access to the Shinkansen and airport limousine buses, making arrive and departure days smoother. It is convenient not only for sightseeing around Kyoto, but also for side trips to nearby cities such as Osaka and Nara.

Room types vary from 40-square-meter Family Apartments to 80-square-meter Two-Bedroom Family Suites. Connecting Family Apartments, which are connected to the neighboring room by an interior door, can accommodate up to eight adults plus four children aged six or under. With multiple washbasins, toilets, and bathrooms, even large groups can divide up morning preparations and bath time more easily.

All guest rooms have kitchens, cookware, and dining tables. IH stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, dishes, cutlery, frying pans, pots, and more are also provided, so the rooms can handle everything from preparing breakfast or light meals to simple cooking.

The refrigerator is large, making it easy to store ingredients and drinks you buy during the trip. There is also a coin laundry in the shared area, so you can do laundry during your stay.

A charm unique to this hotel is its carefully designed Pokemon Room. Starting with a large Snorlax plush toy, 100 Pokémon appear throughout the room, creating a fun space for both children and adults who love Pokémon. The Pokémon Room is 40 square meters and accommodates four adults plus two children aged six or under. Plans with novelty goods limited to hotel guests may also be available.

Each room has its own features, such as Train View Rooms where you can see the Shinkansen and the Kyoto townscape from the window, and Garden View Family Apartments with Japanese gardens. If you choose a room according to your family’s preferences and stay style, the time you spend at the hotel itself will become part of the fun.

Nearby are Aeon Mall Kyoto, Kyoto Station Building, JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto Porta, and more, so you will not have trouble shopping during your stay. Spend the day sightseeing around Kyoto, then pick up Kyoto-style prepared dishes and sweets around the station in the evening. At night, gather around the dining table in your room and talk over the next day’s plans. Because you won’t be limited to eating out, this hotel is also suitable for families with small children and long-stay travelers.

This accommodation for groups and families is located in Kyoto’s Gojo to Shichijo area. It is about a five-minute walk from Shichijo Station on the Keihan Main Line, about an eight-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Main Line, about an 11-minute walk from Gojo Station on the Subway Karasuma Line, and about a 16-minute walk from Kyoto Station on various lines. By using the Keihan Line, it is also easy to travel to the Gion and Fushimi Inari areas, making it convenient for those who are looking to combine multiple train lines for sightseeing.

The interiors were fully renovated in 2025 with a modern design that makes use of warm wood textures. There are three room types: Standard Family Room, Deluxe Family Room, and Suite Room, accommodating up to eight guests. All rooms are designed so guests can take off their shoes and relax, creating a calm atmosphere reminiscent of a Kyoto machiya townhouse.

All beds are double-bed size, and depending on the room type, futons and sofa beds can also be used. Bed linens and towels for the number of guests are also provided, so it’s easy to use for family trips or group trips with friends.

All guest rooms have electric kettles, and complimentary tea can also be enjoyed. Kitchens are available only in the suite rooms and are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, basic cookware, and cutlery. The cooking counter is also fairly spacious and convenient for preparing simple meals or reheating prepared dishes bought outside.

Laundry facilities need to be confirmed depending on the room type and reservation conditions, so if they are important for you, be sure to check the latest information before making a reservation.

The Kamo River, one of Kyoto’s symbols, is just a short walk from the hotel. The riverside promenade is also familiar as a walking route for local residents, giving you a glimpse of everyday Kyoto beyond the tourist areas. Nearby 24-hour supermarkets such as Fresco Gojo and Fresco Gojo Ohashi make it easy to shop late at night or buy ingredients for the next morning’s breakfast. After a walk, bring prepared dishes and local ingredients back to your room and enjoy dinner at your own pace.

The location also lets you enjoy Kyoto’s scenery while avoiding peak daytime crowds, whether you visit Gion in the pleasant quiet of early morning or take a relaxed walk through Higashiyama toward Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka. It is recommended for families and groups who want to experience both Kyoto’s popular sightseeing areas and local everyday life.

This luxury hotel is in the Shijo Kawaramachi area. Although it is not an apartment type, it offers something special: a central Kyoto stay with hot springs and sweeping views. It is about a one-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto-kawaramachi Station and about a four-minute walk from Gion-shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line. The location is convenient for those looking to shop and dine around Gion, Pontocho, Nishiki Market, and Shijo-dori Street.

Guest rooms feature a Japanese-modern design with Japanese-style motifs. There are three types ranging from 18.5 to 37.8 square meters, and all rooms accommodate two guests. There are no kitchens, but the hotel has a coin laundry, so laundry is possible during multi-night stays. It is well suited to adult Kyoto trips, including couples’ getaways.

The hotel’s signature space is the rooftop lounge Sora Niwa Terrace. Here, you can overlook Kyoto City while enjoying the footbath. Welcome drinks are served upon arrival, and at night, the terrace operates as a bar. After a day of sightseeing, soaking your feet while watching dusk settle over the Kyoto townscape feels like a small luxury unique to this hotel.

Another major appeal is the natural hot spring water from the hotel’s own source, which wells up from 1,100 meters underground and can be enjoyed in open-air baths. On the top floor are two large public baths, Yasaka-no-Yu and Niwa-no-Yu. From Yasaka-no-Yu especially, you can look out over Kyoto’s Higashiyama area. Deep standing baths and silky jacuzzi baths are also available, helping you unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Kyoto’s representative dining areas, such as Gion, Shijo Kawaramachi, Pontocho, and Kiyamachi, are scattered about nearby, offering everything from Kyoto cuisine and Japanese sweets to izakaya. Spend the day visiting temples and shrines, then savor a Kyoto-style dinner along Pontocho’s stone-paved paths or Kiyamachi Street beside the Kamo River. On the way back to the hotel, the glow of orange lanterns adds another layer to the pleasure of staying in this area.

After returning to the hotel, relax with the footbath and hot springs while enjoying Japanese bathing culture. This location is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of Kyoto’s nighttime atmosphere and food culture, not just its sightseeing spots. Unlike the "“travel as if living there"” style of an apartment hotel, this luxury stay lets you enjoy both the city of Kyoto and time at the hotel itself.

This residence-style hotel opened in December 2024. It is about a five-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Subway Karasuma Line and about a seven-minute walk from Nijojo-mae Station on the Subway Tozai Line. Although it is in central Kyoto, the World Heritage Site Nijo Castle is within walking distance. It also offers easy access to Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and the area around Karasuma Oike, making the location easy to use for both sightseeing and long stays.

Guest rooms range from 40 to 65 square meters in size, with five types in total. Some rooms can accommodate up to eight guests, which is convenient for family trips and group trips. All rooms are equipped with kitchens, and refrigerators, microwaves, kitchen tools, and dishes. Some rooms have two washbasins, which is great for giving larger groups the flexibility to divide up morning preparations.

Washing machines are not inside the guest rooms; guests use the coin laundry inside the hotel. Since you can wash clothes during multi-night stays, you can pack lighter, especially if you are traveling with children.

One feature worth noting is the amenity buffet set up in the lobby. Hairbrushes, cotton swabs, body towels, toothbrush sets, razors, tea, coffee sets, and other items can be picked up as needed, making the stay much more comfortable. Bath amenities, towels, and nightwear are provided in the guest rooms.

At Fresco Petit Shinmachi Oike, located a few minutes on foot away, you can easily buy breakfast bread and drinks, as well as Kyoto-style prepared dishes. In addition, if you go a little farther, you can also use the 24-hour Fresco Oike, so you will not have trouble shopping after enjoying sightseeing or dining.

In the morning, prepare a simple breakfast in your room’s kitchen, then head out during the day to Nijo Castle, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, or the Shijo Karasuma area. At night, you can also enjoy time with family or friends, gathering around prepared dishes and local ingredients bought at the supermarket while talking about the memories of the day. It is recommended for those who want to not only visit sightseeing spots, but also experience everyday Kyoto life.

This apartment hotel is located in the area around Kyoto Station. It is about an 11-minute walk from the central exit of JR Kyoto Station, about a four-minute walk from the World Heritage Site Nishi Hongwanji Temple, and about a nine-minute walk from Kyoto Aquarium. It is easy to get around even after arriving in Kyoto by Shinkansen, making it a convenient location for families and groups who want to use Kyoto Station as their sightseeing base.

Guest rooms are about 28 to 45 square meters and can accommodate up to six guests. Multiple room types are available, including family-friendly rooms and rooms incorporating a Japanese atmosphere. All rooms are equipped with kitchens and washing machines with dryers, which is a major advantage because you can wash clothes frequently even during long stays.

The kitchens are equipped with large refrigerators, kitchens with IH stoves, rice cookers, microwaves, cookware, dishes, dining tables, and more. It is easy to heat up prepared dishes or ingredients bought nearby, or prepare breakfast in your room, which is appealing because you can eat at your own pace even during a Kyoto trip where eating out can easily continue for several days. Children’s tableware is also available for rent to accommodate traveling families.

Concept rooms with Japanese cultural themes are another highlight. Among them, the "“Hokusai"” Room, themed around the ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artist Katsushika Hokusai, has a bold wall design and a playful Japanese sensibility. Paid rental items such as baby cribs and futons are also available, perfect for trips with small children.

In addition to a convenience store about a one-minute walk away, Don Quijote Kyoto Karasuma Shichijo and the supermarket Lopia Kyoto Yodobashi are within walking distance, so you will not have trouble shopping during your stay. You can buy extra souvenirs you find while sightseeing in Kyoto, or purchase breakfast for the next day and Kyoto-exclusive snacks, spending your time as if you were living in Kyoto.

During the day, explore Kyoto City, and at night, look back on the memories of the day while enjoying prepared dishes and local ingredients bought at Lopia in your room. This hotel is recommended for families and groups who want to enjoy their Kyoto stay at their own pace, with less stress around sightseeing, transportation, and shopping.

This apartment hotel is in the area between Kyoto Station and Gojo. It is about a five-minute walk from Gojo Station on the Subway Karasuma Line, and it also offers easy access from Kyoto Station. Higashi Honganji Temple and the Kamo River area are easy to reach, letting you enjoy both the convenience of the Kyoto Station area and the calmer townscape around Gojo.

Guest rooms are 30 to 69 square meters and can accommodate up to six guests. The stylish Japanese-modern spaces, incorporating Japanese touches such as tatami and shoji screens, are appealing. There are also larger rooms such as Premium Suites and Deluxe Suites, which is why it's suitable for family trips and group trips with friends.

All rooms are equipped with kitchens, microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines with dryer functions, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Even during a long stay, you can spend your time as if living there, preparing breakfast in your room or washing clothes. In rooms with kitchens, it should also be easy to reheat prepared dishes bought at Nishiki Market or department-store basement food floors and relax while eating in your room.

Check-in and check-out are contactless using QR codes, but there is a cloud reception service, allowing you to receive 24-hour support through a tablet. There is also a self-cloakroom in the shared space, convenient for storing luggage before check-in or after check-out.

The surrounding area has a calm atmosphere and is dotted with Japanese confectionery shops and long-established tea shops loved by locals. In the morning, buy Japanese sweets or tea at a nearby shop and start the day by slowly enjoying them in your room. There are also Fresco Gojo and convenience stores nearby, so you will not have trouble buying breakfast, drinks, or daily necessities.

During the day, head toward Gion and Shijo Kawaramachi for sightseeing and shopping, then return to the hotel in the evening through the calmer townscape. You can enjoy the bustle of sightseeing areas while spending the night in a quiet environment, making it perfect for long stays.

This location is recommended for those who want to experience not only Kyoto’s famous sights, but also its local life and culture.

This apartment hotel is about a five-minute walk from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit. It is on the south side of Kyoto Station, so travelers taking the Shinkansen or airport limousine buses will have no problem getting to it. In addition, To-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site known for its five-story pagoda, is also within walking distance. Anyone can join the morning service held at To-ji Temple from 6 AM every morning without a reservation and free of charge. Start your day with a Kyoto-style morning feeling refreshed in both mind and body.
All guest rooms are 55 square meters or larger, offering spacious rooms with Japanese-style rooms. In addition to two double beds, futons are also provided, and the rooms can accommodate up to six guests. All rooms are equipped with dining tables, tatami areas, kitchens, and washing machines, and the bathroom, toilet, and washbasin are separate. Even large groups will find it easy to divide up meals, bathe, and get ready for the day, reducing the stress of consecutive-night stays.

The rooms feature Simmons double beds. Children can play in the tatami space, and at night, you can spread out meals you bought outside in the dining area, spending your time more like being in a Kyoto second home than a hotel. Indoor planetariums, board games, and other items are also available for rent for those rainy days or when you simply want to relax at night.

Nearby are Aeon Mall Kyoto and convenience stores for ingredients, drinks, and daily necessities. Around Kyoto Station, Kyoto pickles, Kyoto cuisine, and Kyoto-style sweets are easy to find. Being able to enjoy Kyoto-style meals in your room without worrying about others is another appeal unique to apartment hotels.

During the day, stroll around To-ji Temple and the area around Kyoto Station. At night, spend a relaxed time with family or friends in the spacious dining area or tatami space. Because everyone can relax at their own pace, whether small children are playing or the group is discussing the next day’s sightseeing plans, it is perfect for family trips and group trips that prioritize spaciousness and comfort near Kyoto Station.

This condominium-style hotel is in Kyoto’s Fushimi area. It is about a three-minute walk from Takeda Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line and Subway Karasuma Line, and about 10 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station. Located in a calm area slightly away from central Kyoto, it is an easy location for traveling toward Kyoto Station by subway or Kintetsu Railway.

The Fushimi area is known for Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and its vermilion Senbon Torii gates, as well as streets lined with sake breweries in one of Japan’s leading sake-producing districts. The hotel is about seven minutes by car from Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and serves as an excellent base for those who want to visit the shrine relatively early in the morning before it gets crowded.

Guest rooms are about 33 to 66 square meters, and the suite rooms can accommodate up to six guests. All rooms are equipped with kitchens, washing machines, and balconies, with facilities that are easy to use for long stays. There is also a cafe bar inside the hotel that makes breaks before or after sightseeing a little more pleasurable.

Nearby are convenience stores and drugstores, with restaurants scattered around Takeda Station. Buying daily necessities during a long stay, as well as purchasing Kyoto-style prepared dishes and ingredients, is a breeze in this location.

In addition, the Fushimi area has many famous Kyoto confectionery and Japanese sweets shops, where you can enjoy delicately flavored sweets made by artisans. Many items, such as soft fresh sweets, do not keep for long, so a luxurious way to spend time is to return to the hotel soon after buying them, make tea, and enjoy them while relaxing.

In the morning, visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and stroll through the fantastic scenery created by rows of Senbon Torii gates. During the day, it is also recommended to walk through the town of Fushimi, where sake breweries line the streets, and enjoy local sake and local food. After sightseeing, buying a meal at a supermarket or restaurant, returning to the hotel, and relaxing in a guest room with a balcony is also exceptional.

This hotel is perfect for families and groups who want to enjoy not only lively sightseeing areas, but also the calm atmosphere of Fushimi, another side of Kyoto’s charm.

This apartment hotel is between Kyoto Station and the Shichijo area. It is about a three-minute walk from Exit 1 of Shichijo Station on the Keihan Main Line, and about a ten-minute walk from the central exit of JR Kyoto Station. The Kamo River, Sanjusangen-do Temple, and Kyoto National Museum are within walking distance, making it easy to experience Kyoto-style scenery, historic temples and shrines, and art.

All guest rooms are suite-type rooms of 35 square meters or larger, with Junior Suites accommodating up to five guests and Suites accommodating up to seven guests. The spacious rooms allow families and groups to relax comfortably. All rooms are equipped with kitchens with IH stoves, microwaves, cookware, dishes, large refrigerators, and dining tables.

Guest rooms are also fully equipped with washing machines with dryers. Even during a long stay, you can wash clothes frequently, so traveling lighter is much more doable. Children’s tableware is available for rent, as are baby cribs and futons, making the hotel convenient for stays with children.

In addition, the hotel group provides on shuttle buses that visit classic Kyoto sightseeing spots, as well as an online concierge to support your trip. This is reassuring even for first-time visitors who may have trouble deciding on Kyoto sightseeing routes.

Restaurants, supermarkets, and drugstores are nearby, so buying breakfast, light meals, or daily necessities is easy. Being able to buy local prepared dishes and drinks on the way back from sightseeing and enjoying a meal in your room without worrying about others is another apartment-hotel perk.

At the nearby Kamo River, you can enjoy morning walks and strolls at dusk. During the day, walk to Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Gion area, and other places to fully enjoy Kyoto-style townscapes and historic temples and shrines. At night, spend a relaxed time soothed by calm night views unique to Kyoto, such as the illumination of Shichijo Ohashi Bridge over the Kamo River and the lights of the ancient capital reflected on the water.

Because you can enjoy the bustle of sightseeing areas while also experiencing everyday Kyoto, this hotel is perfect for families and groups who want to savor their Kyoto experience over several days.

The real pleasure of staying at an apartment hotel is that you are not limited to eating out, but can enjoy Kyoto’s everyday life at your own pace.
By making use of nearby supermarkets and shopping streets, your hotel becomes a small Kyoto home base rather than merely a place to sleep.

At an apartment hotel, you can enjoy Kyoto’s food culture at your own pace, without relying only on eating out. In fact, Kyoto is also one of Japan’s leading cities with a deep bakery culture.

Starting with Shinshindo, a long-established bakery founded in Kyoto, and Sizuya, which is easy to find at Kyoto Station, the city is dotted with bakeries full of character. Buying freshly baked bread at a nearby bakery in the morning and eating it in your hotel room is also one distinctly Kyoto-style way to spend your time.

If you want to enjoy ingredients and prepared foods, Nishiki Market Shopping Street, also known as "“Kyoto’s Kitchen,"” is definitely a spot to check out. You can enjoy Kyoto-style foods little by little, such as Kyoto pickles, Kyoto vegetables, dashimaki rolled omelets, and Japanese sweets.

Commercial facilities around Kyoto Station also have many branches of long-established and popular shops. Places like JR Kyoto Isetan and Kyoto Porta are easy to stop by before or after riding the Shinkansen or train, and are convenient for looking for bento, Japanese sweets, and souvenirs. Depending on the shop, you may also find products limited to Kyoto Station, so stopping by between travel plans is also worthwhile.

Kyoto City also has many supermarkets such as Fresco and Fresco Petit, and some locations are open 24 hours. Since it is easy to buy extra breakfast items, light meals, drinks, and daily necessities, they are reassuring places to have nearby during consecutive-night stays at an apartment hotel.

If your room has a kitchen, you can also enjoy a stay that is not limited to eating out at restaurants, whether that means cooking simple meals with ingredients bought at supermarkets or markets, or picking up a bunch of prepared foods selected at department-store basement food floors to bring back to your room.

When sightseeing in Kyoto, buses bound for popular temples, shrines, and tourist spots can get crowded during certain times of day. On days when you visit places such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari, combining trains such as the subway, JR lines, Keihan Railway, and Hankyu Railway with walking can make it easier to reduce the stress of getting around.

For families or multi-generational groups visiting high-congestion areas like Arashiyama, the ultimate hack to bypass the crowds is booking a private rickshaw tour. Instead of navigating packed walking paths with tired kids, you can sit back and glide through exclusive, quiet bamboo lanes that standard tour groups can’t access—all while a professional guide captures stunning travel photos for your family.

Kyoto offers accommodations for many travel styles, from apartment hotels with kitchens and washing machines to accommodations where you can enjoy a Japanese atmosphere, as well as hotels with hot springs and views.

Compare location, room size, maximum guest capacity, and kitchen and washing machine availability to choose an accommodation that matches the purpose of your trip. Checking access to nearby supermarkets, shopping streets, and restaurants will also make meals and shopping during multi-night stays much more convenient.

Kyoto’s highlights and popular areas change with the seasons. The city tends to get crowded during cherry blossom season in spring, Aoi Matsuri in May, Gion Matsuri in July, Jidai Matsuri in October, autumn foliage, and the year-end and New Year temple and shrine visit season.

Apartment-style accommodations and rooms that can accommodate large groups are limited in number, so early reservations are recommended during popular seasons. Once your travel dates are decided, check the guest capacity, facilities, and accommodation conditions, and try to find the perfect accommodation to serve as your base for your stay in Kyoto.