Where to stay in Kyoto and Osaka: hotels by budget
Gion or Higashiyama in Kyoto, Namba or Shinsaibashi in Osaka. Real hotels by budget in both cities.
Kyoto and Osaka are very close, but you sleep in them differently. In Kyoto it matters to sleep somewhere beautiful; in Osaka, practicality and location matter more.
Kyoto: the most beautiful city
The areas we recommend are Gion and Higashiyama. This is where it matters most to sleep somewhere special.
Low cost
- Piece Hostel Kyoto: very good design, affordable and well located.
- Henn na Hotel Premier Kyoto.
Mid range (€150-300)
- Sowaka Kyoto: a modern ryokan right in the traditional district, a perfect mix of design and tradition.
- Good Nature Hotel Kyoto: modern, sustainable and very well located.
Luxury (€400-1,000+)
- Park Hyatt Kyoto: one of the most beautiful hotels in Japan, with incredible views.
- Hoshinoya Kyoto: a hotel hidden in nature, reached by boat. A unique experience.
Osaka: practical and well located
The areas are Namba and Shinsaibashi.
Mid range (€100-250)
- Hotel The Flag Shinsaibashi: a very good location, modern and comfortable.
- Bespoke Hotel Shinsaibashi: very good value for money and a perfect location.
Luxury
- Conrad Osaka: spectacular views and a high-end modern hotel.
Prices are approximate per night and change with the season. Kyoto is the city where paying a bit more for somewhere beautiful pays off the most.
Our recommendation
In Kyoto, choose a place with character in Gion or Higashiyama, even if only for a few nights. In Osaka, stay near Shinsaibashi or Namba and don't overspend: you spend most of the day out. You'll find the whole route in our 17-day Japan itinerary, and what to see in the city in what to see in Kyoto.
Our favorite activities in Japan
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