01
Aman Kyoto
Kyoto
Pavilions hidden in a forgotten forest garden at the foot of the northern hills, near the Golden Pavilion.
Old town & heritage · No. 1 in Japan
Boutique hotels in Kyoto
Kyoto's finest stays are riverside ryokan and machiya townhouses, a short walk from Gion's lanes and the temples of Higashiyama.
Handpicked boutique hotels
Where to stay in Kyoto
02
Genji Kyoto
Kyoto
A small, warmly run hotel facing the Kamo River, with staff who are generous with dining tips and reservations.
03
Hoshinoya Kyoto
Kyoto
From $473/ night
A riverside retreat in Arashiyama reached by private boat, with rooms looking over the Oi River and wooded hills.
04
Matsui Honkan
Kyoto
From $310/ night
A traditional inn in central Kyoto with modernized tatami rooms, some opening onto a small garden.
05
Sowaka
Kyoto
A restored Higashiyama townhouse ryokan near Yasaka Shrine, with some rooms opening onto private Zen gardens.
Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, and it still holds the country's greatest concentration of temples, gardens and wooden townhouses. Its small hotels make the most of that heritage: centuries-old ryokan with private gardens, restored machiya with cypress baths, and a few contemporary retreats designed with the same restraint.
Where to stay
Higashiyama and Gion put you among the old teahouses and temple paths, best explored early in the morning before the crowds. Central Kyoto around Nakagyo is practical for restaurants and Nishiki Market, while Arashiyama to the west is greener and quieter after dark.
Good to know
Cherry-blossom season in early April and the autumn leaves in November are spectacular and fully booked months in advance. Traditional ryokan usually include dinner and breakfast, and dinner times are fixed, so plan your evenings around them.
Good to know
Questions about Kyoto
How many boutique hotels are there in Kyoto?
We list 5 boutique hotels in Kyoto, including Aman Kyoto, Genji Kyoto and Hoshinoya Kyoto.
