In which quarter house in Kyoto?

Visit Kyoto during your stay on the Japanese archipelago: how to find where to sleep? Here are the best areas to stay in Kyoto!

Imperial Capital of Japan for more than a thousand years (from 794 to 1868), Kyoto is the eighth largest city in Japan, and is located in Kansai, in the center of Honshu Island. With a population of 1,475,183 inhabitants (2015) and an area of 827.83 km2, finding accommodation for sleeping in Kyoto can be very expensive: the city is stormed spring, summer and autumn by visitors to enjoy its charms. Well spared by the bombings of the Second World War, Kyoto has a huge historical and cultural heritage. The historic monuments of the city are also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kyoto houses no less than 2000 temples, as well as shrines, palaces and Japanese gardens. Kyoto is considered a leading cultural centre in Japan. The quarters in Kyoto spread over a tentacular surface. Without being able to list them all, here are some of the best areas to sleep in Kyoto.

Gion and Higashiyama

These two neighbourhoods between the Kamo River and the mountains are the most popular of visitors as they present the advantage of being central while sheltering historic monuments such as Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka-jinja – Shinto Sanctuaries – and Maruyama Park: the modern Kyoto mixed with the picturesque, guaranteed change! The offer of accommodation is abundant, from the cheap hostel to the luxurious hotel. At dusk, the atmosphere is calm because Buddhist temples and shops close with nightfall. However, along the canal you will find many small bars and traditional Japanese cuisine restaurants. A nice place to sleep in Kyoto, between cultural visits and the tranquility of evenings.

Pontocho

With its central location, this area focuses traditional Japan, night entertainment and proximity to the city centre. From Kawaramachi, along Shijo Avenue to Nijo Castle, you will find all the kyotoïte life in effervescence: staying in this neighborhood of Kyoto will allow you to enjoy beautiful shopping days and outings (bars and restaurants). Not far, Kiyamachi Avenue is home to students and has a popular atmosphere, a friendly combo to party in the discotheques and bars until the day.

The path of philosophy

Trail located northeast of the city, the path of philosophy (or Walk of the philosopher) runs along the canal and allows to visit the temples Ginkaku-ji and Eikan-do Zenrin-ji. Don’t miss this trip in the spring, from which you can admire the countless cherry trees in white and pink flowers, the iconic postcard of Japan and walk in the footsteps of the Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida (1870-1945), famous founder of the Philosophy School of Kyoto. This residential area takes back its quiet olympian in the evening: choose this area where to sleep if you are looking for tranquility, comfort without having to go out because the bars in the neighborhood may be closed in the evening!

Arashiyama and Sagano

The second most touristic area in Kyoto, Arashiyama and Sagano decline a significant concentration of historic buildings and allows relaxing walks in the middle of nature, which is appreciable in a metropolis of this scale. In the surrounding area, don’t miss the peaceful world of the bamboo grove of Arashiyama, the Arashiyama monkey park, the Kinkaku-ji and Ryōan-ji, nearby. It is a neighbourhood rich in historical and natural wonders. The flat is that the neighborhood is located at an hour’s metro from the city centre: here we are in the western suburbs but it’s the price to be far from concrete in Japan... To stay in Kyoto, these two neighborhoods will fill you if you’re a little fan of the big neon, shopping malls and concrete.

Main photo credit: Flickr – inefekt69