Kyoto travel guide
Kyoto Tourism | Kyoto Guide
You're Going to Love Kyoto
With a population of 1.46 million, Kyoto is the largest city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Kyoto has to offer.
Where to Eat in Kyoto
Higashiyama is the neighbourhood with the most restaurants in Kyoto. These include popular favourites such as 朝食 喜心 (小松町555), LE UN アカガネリゾート京都東山1925 (下河原通高台寺塔之前上る金園町400-1) and La Bombance祇園 (東山区下河原通八坂鳥居前下ル清井町480 そわか（sowaka）). If you’re looking for affordable options, ブラッスリー フォーシーズンズホテル京都 (妙法院前側町445-3) and 天ぷら圓堂 岡崎邸 (京都府京都市左京区岡崎西天王町60−3) are great picks.
When to visit Kyoto
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Kyoto in August, when the average temperature is 27 °C, and the highest can go up to 32 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as -1 °C, with an average temperature of 3 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 233 mm. In contrast, December is usually the driest month of the year in Kyoto, with an average rainfall of 54 mm.
How to Get to Kyoto
Plane
Although Kyoto doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Osaka All airports (OSA), which is located 45 km from Kyoto. The shortest flight to Kyoto from Canada departs from Vancouver and takes around 10h 55m.
Train
The train station in Kyoto is called Kyoto, and is located 2.5 km from the city centre.
Car
Another option to get to Kyoto is to pick up a car rental from Osaka, which is about 45 km from Kyoto. You’ll find branches of ORIX Rent a Car and Hertz, among others, in Osaka.
Airlines serving Kyoto
Where to stay in Kyoto
From 5-star hotels such as the HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa to great affordable options like the Hyatt Place Kyoto, Kyoto offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around C$ 89 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to C$ 648 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Len Kyoto Kawaramachi and Carta Hotel Kyoto Gion. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Kyoto, with prices from C$ 39 to C$ 330 per night. Shimogyo is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Kyoto are about 56% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.
Kamigyo - In Kyoto’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Ryokan Mugen, Kyoto Brighton Hotel and Kyoto Uraraka Guest House.
Sakyo - Hostel Niniroom, The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection and Ohara no Sato have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in Sakyo will cost you about C$ 43 per night.
Where to stay in popular areas of Kyoto
Most booked hotels in Kyoto
Renting a car in Kyoto
Renting a car in Kyoto costs C$ 82 per day, on average, or C$ 245 if you want to rent it for 3 days.
Expect to pay C$ 1.54 per litre in Kyoto (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 18.39 and C$ 24.52. The most frequently booked car type in Kyoto is Economy (Class Economy Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Daihatsu Move or similar) are, on average, 50% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.