Kyoto is known for its centuries-old shrines and temples, culture-rich spots like Gion and the Kamo River, as well as picturesque natural landscapes like Arashiyama and Uji. Droves of tourists flock here to see all of that and more.

Kyoto is the perfect home base for traveling not only in Kyoto Prefecture but also in nearby Osaka and Nara. Kyoto's gorgeous seasons draw in tourists all year round, whether it's to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring, to dine just above a river on a patio called "kawadoko" in summer, to view stunning red and yellow foliage in fall, or to enjoy snow-covered scenery in winter.

The most important part of planning your trip to Kyoto is choosing where to stay. While the location of your lodgings is important, you'll also want a hotel that helps you relax as much as possible.

From Gion to Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Arashiyama and beyond, Kyoto's most famous spots are spread out across the city. You'll need to walk quite a long way from stations and bus stops to reach them. By the end of the day, you're bound to be exhausted. Fatigue is a common problem for tourists in Kyoto. Sitting on long taxi or train rides and taking in the unfamiliar world of Japan can also cause exhaustion without you even noticing.

Since Kyoto is a popular destination for domestic and international tourists, hotels can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during long holidays. Once you decide to go to Kyoto, it's best to book early and secure a place to stay in advance.

Among the many lodging options in Kyoto, the Comfort brand hotels stand out as favorites among foreign visitors to the city. Comfort is a brand of Choice Hotels International, which has more than 7,400 hotels in over 45 countries worldwide, with 73 hotels dotting Japan from top to bottom.

The Comfort brand is characterized by friendly, customer-first service carefully designed to give guests the best stay possible. Comfort brand hotels offer various amenities to enhance your stay. From complimentary coffee and other beverages to delectable breakfast buffets (excluding certain brands), and the inviting Comfort Library Cafe, available for your enjoyment before, during, and after your stay.

In particular, Comfort brand hotels are devoted to providing their guests with an excellent night's sleep. To this end, they partnered with a bedding company to develop their own original Choice Pillow as well as the Choice Bed Pad, which alleviates pressure on the waist and shoulders. This enhanced bedding can be found in all of their rooms. Ease the strain on your legs after a busy day of sightseeing with their complimentary foot pillows, designed to relieve swelling and fatigue.

But of all their amenities, the standout must be Local-Meisters, staff members stationed at Comfort brand hotels who use their in-depth knowledge of the city to provide personalized recommendations and ensure your trip is nothing short of unforgettable.

To become certified as a Local-Meister, one must pass rigorous examinations including presentations and role-play tests! You can identify them by the Local-Meister badges worn proudly on their chests.

Let's hear from Local-Meisters and other knowledgeable staff members from three Comfort brand hotels in Kyoto as they share insights into these remarkable accommodations.

The first hotel we'll learn about is Comfort Hotel Kyoto Horikawagojo. We asked Ito, the hotel's Local-Meister, about the unique charms and characteristics of this hotel.

"Horikawagojo, where the hotel is located, is a hidden gem just a 10-minute bus ride from Kyoto Station. The hotel is nestled in a quiet residential area, perfect for those who want to stay somewhere peaceful and have a truly local experience. It's within walking distance of a popular tourist spot, Nishi Hongwanji Temple, so I recommend taking a stroll over there during your stay."

"Guests arriving at the hotel receive the highest quality reception. Behind the front desk is the Comfort Library Cafe, where you can explore guidebooks and photo books showcasing the beauty of Kyoto curated by the book director. These resources are available for browsing at your leisure, during, before, and after your stay. Before you head out, take some time to learn more about Kyoto."

"This Family Room is unique to Comfort Hotel Kyoto Horikawagojo. The 25-square-meter space offers a cozy Japanese-style layout with three beds. It's perfect for guests with small children who want to kick off their shoes and relax. Enjoy an exclusive view of the Kyoto streets from your window!"

“The free breakfast buffet is centered around healthy foods like eggs and fresh salads. The seasonal smoothies are another highlight. We offer these healthy options to help our guests rejuvenate vital nutrients after long days of sightseeing."

Next stop is the Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma. Wada, a Local-Meister at the hotel who has lived in Kyoto for over 20 years, will introduce this location's unique charms.

"The Shijo area, where the hotel is located, is at the heart of sightseeing in Kyoto. The main street is lined with small shops and department stores of famous brands, and just a block over is the Nishiki Market, so you'll have no trouble finding the perfect souvenir. You can take a leisurely stroll to the Kamo River and Gion. Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma is a great hotel for those who want to shop, walk around the city, and see all the sights."

"Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma is about a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Line, giving guests incredibly easy access to the city. When guests arrive, they can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink."

"The rooms are one or two bedrooms, and while compact, they feature a sofa and warm wood grain design to create a relaxing space."

"The hotel features a public bath on the first floor, the only such facility at a Comfort brand hotel in Kyoto. It is an artificial carbonated spring that relieves fatigue and warms the body. The women-only bath is equipped with high-end Japanese dryers and shower heads, as well as a shampoo bar where you can choose your favorite shampoo and treatment."

"Another thing we recommend is the Japanese breakfast buffet. We offer Kyoto's signature traditional obanzai cuisine, which consists of an array of small dishes crafted from seasonal ingredients. Every day, the buffet has seven or eight dishes on offer. Enhance your meal with a bowl of glutinous, sweet Koshihikari rice from the Tamba area of Kyoto. You're sure to enjoy the Japanese-style breakfast."

The last hotel we'll learn about is Comfort Hotel ERA Kyoto Toji, near the World Heritage Site Toji Temple. Staff members who were born and raised in this very neighborhood and are deeply familiar with Kyoto share their recommendations.

"A huge plus for Comfort Hotel ERA Kyoto Toji is its excellent location right in front of Kintetsu Toji Station, one stop from Kyoto Station. Using the Kintetsu Railway, you can reach the Uji area or Nara without need for a transfer, so it's also perfect for those hoping to travel a little further. Toji Temple, a World Heritage Site, is right within walking distance. Strolling through this impressive area and looking up at the iconic five-story pagoda, you'll feel like you've truly arrived in Kyoto."

"The name ERA stands for 'Excite, Refresh, Active,' and also refers to our modern era. The space is designed to excite and welcome guests, creating an atmosphere they can luxuriate in for an extended period of time. We offer a variety of service not available at other hotels within the Comfort brand."

"At the Comfort Library Cafe, we hold Sweets Time from 2 PM to 5 PM, where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese treat from Kyoto called warabi mochi. We also offer free drinks, so please stop by for a short break before check-in. Also, from 5 PM to 11 PM is Cocktail Time, where you can sip on delicious local Kyoto sake and wine for 500 yen per glass."

"Rooms range from one-bed double standard rooms to three-bed family rooms. From some rooms, you can even see the beautiful five-story pagoda of Toji Temple. Relax while taking in scenery you can only find in Kyoto."

"One of the charms of our hotel is the abundance of beauty items. All rooms are equipped with high-end Japanese hairdryers and nano-bubble shower heads. Plus, hair straighteners and other beauty products are available at the front desk. Many guests love the fact that they can look their best even while traveling abroad."

"Our breakfast buffet is also different from other Comfort brand hotels. There are more than 30 fresh menu items on offer, such as seasonal fruits and salads, fluffy omelets made right in front of you, and Kyoto wheat focaccia. (*Adults 1,650 yen, 4-12 years old 700 yen, free for children under 3 years old.)"

Local-Meisters from Comfort brand hotels divulged their top-secret tips and tricks for the perfect sightseeing experience in Kyoto. Don’t miss this invaluable advice for the perfect trip!

"Comfort brand hotels offer a wide variety of delicious bread. In fact, Kyoto is a city full of bread lovers, with households of two or more consuming the fourth most amount of bread in the country. Wandering the streets of Kyoto, you're bound to find plenty of local bakeries. During the busier sightseeing seasons, it'll be difficult to find somewhere to sit in cafes and restaurants, so I recommend buying some bread to eat at a park or other places." (Ito from the Comfort Hotel Kyoto Horikawagojo)

"Arashiyama, with its bamboo grove path and the Katsura River, is definitely a place you want to visit when sightseeing in Kyoto. Many visit by bus, but if you are starting from the Shijo area, the fastest way is to head from Hankyu Karasuma Station to Katsura Station and then change trains for Arashiyama Station. You have to transfer once, but there are almost no delays and it's rarely crowded, so I recommend you try using the train for a smoother sightseeing experience." (Wada from the Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma)

"If you go to Toji Temple, I recommend visiting Toji Mochi, a shop that's been loved by locals for a long time. This Japanese confectionery shop was founded in 1912 and is located right next to the east gate of Toji Temple. Their specialty is Toji mochi, the shop's namesake. The soft rice cake, called ‘gyuhi,’ is filled with koshian, a type of sweet bean paste, and has a subtle sweetness that is not overly intense. Make sure to try authentic Japanese sweets while in Kyoto." (Comfort Hotel ERA Kyoto Toji staff member)

Three Comfort brand hotels, each with their own distinct characteristics, offering healthy breakfasts, special bedding, and beauty items (available at select hotels). All these locations feature Local-Meisters, experts ready to share tons of travel advice to take your sightseeing in Kyoto to the next level. During the busy seasons, rooms fill up fast, so make reservations as soon as you finalize your plans to visit Kyoto!