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Downtown

Kyoto

Kyoto's busy centre between Kawaramachi and Karasuma, with Nishiki Market, covered shopping arcades, Pontocho's riverside restaurants and the best subway and bus links.

Best for First visit · Nightlife · Budget

Transport
5/5
Sights
3/5
Value
4/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$170/night · 5 min to Shijo-Kawaramachi

See hotels in Downtown

Downtown on the map

Why stay here

  • Kyoto's best restaurants and shopping
  • Walk to Gion and Pontocho
  • Subway and buses to everywhere

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Food lovers
  • Budget travellers

Not ideal if…

  • You want quiet, traditional streets
  • You want to avoid crowds
  • You want temple views from your window

What it's like

Downtown Kyoto runs from the Kamo River west to Karasuma-dori, with the covered Teramachi and Shinkyogoku arcades, Nishiki Market's food stalls and department stores around Shijo. Pontocho, a lantern-lit lane of restaurants with summer terraces over the river, is on its eastern edge, and Nijo Castle is a short subway ride west.

It's the best all-round base, walkable to Gion and with buses and subways everywhere. It's busy and commercial by day, and you'll still need a bus for the outer temples.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Pontocho

    Lantern-lit alley of restaurants by the river.

  • Nishiki Market

    Covered food market, 'Kyoto's kitchen'.

  • Sanjo-dori

    Hotels, cafés and shops between the river and Karasuma.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Karasuma and Tozai subway lines, Hankyu and Keihan trains, and city buses from Shijo-Kawaramachi.
To Shijo-Kawaramachi
About 5 minutes
From Kansai International Airport (KIX)
About 90 minutes: Haruka express to Kyoto Station, then the Karasuma subway.

Nearby attractions

  • Nishiki Market

    Pickles, tofu and street snacks.

  • Pontocho

    Dinner on a riverside terrace in summer.

  • Nijo Castle

    Shogun's palace with 'nightingale' floors.

Where to eat and drink

  • Pontocho

    Kaiseki and izakaya along the alley.

  • Kiyamachi-dori

    Bars along the Takase canal.

  • Nishiki Market

    Snack your way down the arcade.

Where to stay in Downtown

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto

Why we like it: Luxury hotel by Nijo Castle with a hot-spring spa.

Typical luxury rate in Downtown: ~$535/night

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Boutique pick

Ace Hotel Kyoto

Why we like it: Design hotel in a restored telephone exchange.

Typical mid-range rate in Downtown: ~$170/night

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Best value

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier

Why we like it: Stylish hotel with a public bath, near Karasuma.

Typical mid-range rate in Downtown: ~$170/night

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Hotels in DowntownMid-range from ~$170/night

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