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Often called the “Thousand-Year Capital,” Kyoto is a former Imperial capital of Japan. This charming city became a center of traditional Japanese culture and Buddhism, home to thousands of temples and shrines. It is famous for its traditional tea ceremonies and the Gion district’s geisha culture.
Kyoto’s old charm can also be experienced at an affordable price, as the city is filled with accommodations that offer comfort, luxury, and a traditional experience.
Here’s our recommended list of the affordable hotels in Kyoto, Japan:
Number 12: Smile Hotel Kyoto-Shijo
Smile Hotel Kyoto-Shijo is one of the best affordable hotels in the city, offering modern comfort and traditional appeal.
Located in the Shimogyo Ward district, this 3-star hotel is close to the Kyoto International Manga Museum, Kyoto Observation Tower, and other cultural spots. It features a 10-story modern facade and interior with a touch of traditional Japanese patterns.
Starting at only $44 a night, you can book a semi-double room for 2 at this hotel with air conditioning, a heater, a premium large twin bed, bathrobes, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV—and a private bathroom with a bidet, soaking bathtub, and free toiletries.
Smile Hotel Kyoto-Shijo has 140 guestrooms, an on-site restaurant, storage room, vending machines, and laundry facilities, perfect for couples and travelers looking for comfortable, budget-friendly accommodation.
Number 11: Hotel M’s Plus Shijo-Omiya
Another accommodation recommended for modern-day travelers, Hotel M’s Plus Shijo-Omiya offers stylish Japanese Western-style rooms.
This 3-star hotel is located in Nakagyo Ward and a stone’s throw away from Hankyu Omiya Station and Randen Omiya Station. It has a sleek yet striking 9-storey facade that exudes elegance and traditional allure.
From its interior, you can feel Japanese hospitality while enjoying modern comfort in its 164 well-appointed rooms.
Starting at only $57 per night, you can have a non-smoking semi-double room for 2 at this hotel. This room has air conditioning, a heater, a refrigerator, a hair dryer, and a private bathroom with a bidet and a shower tub combination.
Aside from free Wi-Fi and in-room entertainment, Hotel M’s Plus Shijo-Omiya offers luggage storage, laundry facilities, and vending machines.
Number 10: APA Hotel Kyoto Gojo Omiya *VO
Situated in the city center in Shimogyo Ward, APA Hotel Kyoto Gojo Omiya is a 3-star hotel that offers convenience and comfort. It is conveniently located near Omiya Station and Gojo Station, and close to Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, and other major tourist attractions and shopping districts.
The hotel boasts a simple yet imposing facade and 122 rooms with stylish decor, from accent walls to minimalist pieces.
Here at APA Hotel Kyoto Gojo Omiya, you can book a standard double room for 2 guests for as low as $61 per night.
With this, you can get a carpeted room with plush bedding, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a working desk, and an en-suite bathroom complete with a bidet, shower, and complimentary toiletries.
Number 9: Almont Hotel Kyoto
If you’re looking for something lavish but won’t hurt your pocket, check out the Almont Hotel Kyoto.
This 4-star hotel may seem plain-looking to some with its floors only reaching 6 floors. Nonetheless, Almont Hotel Kyoto has a luxurious interior, evident in its 169 contemporary guestrooms and spacious lounge.
The hotel is near Kyoto Station and Kujo Subway Station, making it a great place for business and leisure travelers.
For around $72 per night, you can get a small double room for 2 that has premium bedding, air conditioning, a heater, a working desk, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, an in-room safe, and a private bathroom.
The hotel also has an indoor public bath, in-room massage, on-site restaurant, laundry facilities, and luggage storage.
Number 8: Loisir Hotel Classic Garden Kyoto Sanjo
A tranquil haven tucked in Nakagyo Ward, Loisir Hotel Classic Garden Kyoto Sanjo is not your typical accommodation, where you’ll only see hallways and walls.
It has a lobby and public bath with floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking its main feature—an inner courtyard filled with lush greenery, a homey and zen atmosphere for a truly relaxing stay.
Located just a one-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Station, this 3-star hotel offers a relaxing environment and 169 simple yet functional guestrooms.
Enjoy a room for 2 at this charming hotel for as low as $76 per night with air conditioning, a heater, a mini-fridge, a working table, free Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV. The room also has a private bathroom with a shower-tub combination and free toiletries.
Number 7: APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi
APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi is a great place to stay in the city, offering opulent accommodations for a reasonable price.
This 3-star hotel is situated near Kyoto Station and the Sansjusangen-do Temple, the perfect accommodation for both leisure and business travelers.
Boasting an impressive facade, APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi has 400 well-appointed guestrooms adorned with traditional Japanese design and patterns.
Guests can enjoy a night at this luxuriously modern hotel for around $79 per night. Each room comes with an opulent mattress, air conditioning, a heater, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi—and an en-suite bathroom with an electronic bidet, shower-tub combination, and complimentary toiletries.
The hotel also offers an in-room spa, an on-site restaurant serving a breakfast buffet, and indoor and open-air public baths.
Number 6: The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Boasting modern elegance and comfort, the Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo offers luxury accommodation for as low as $83 per night.
Located at the heart of Kyoto, this 4-star hotel exudes a mix of old-fashioned charm and extravagance from its lobby and stylish rooms. Founded in 1961, the Royal Park Hotel has 172 spacious, soundproofed guestrooms with carpeted floors and opulent interiors.
Each room is furnished with plush premium beddings, air conditioning, a heater, a refrigerator, a safe, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV—and an en-suite bathroom equipped with a bidet, a shower-tub combination, and eco-friendly toiletries.
Guests can also access the hotel’s on-site restaurant and bar, serving Japanese and Western cuisines. To ensure guests’ convenience, the hotel offers vending machines, dry cleaning, and laundry services.
Number 5: Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
One of the best affordable hotels in town, Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto, is popular with tourists, thanks to its proximity to train stations, markets, shops, and restaurants.
Aside from its prime location, the hotel is recommended for travelers looking for a quiet place to stay. Built in 2021, this 3-star facility is a 9-story hotel, boasting a strikingly modern facade.
Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto has 120 guestrooms, 104 of which are well-appointed hotel rooms and 16 studio apartments with a fully-equipped kitchen.
For around $84 a night, you can book a room for 2 at this hotel with plush beds, air conditioning, a heater, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a workspace, and a private bathroom.
The hotel also has a spacious lobby, an on-site cafe, and coffee and tea in common areas.
Number 4: Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu
If you’re into traditional Japanese-style accommodation and modern comfort, the Hotel Musse Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi Meitetsu will deliver! It is minutes away from Shiyakusho-mae tube station, Nishiki Market, and Yasaka Shrine, perfect for travelers who wish to explore Downtown Kyoto.
This 3-star hotel has an excellent minimalist interior, featuring a tatami-style design, from its neutral-colored ceiling and floors to stylish walls and accent pieces.
Hotel Musse Kyoto has 109 well-appointed rooms, offering a comfortable and restful stay. Here, guests can get a moderate double room for around $86 per night, adorned with a lavishly modern and traditional design.
This room has air conditioning, premium bedding, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a private bath with complimentary toiletries. Guests can also access the hotel’s laundry service, luggage storage, and vending machines.
Number 3: Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo is the ideal place to stay for guests who wish to experience luxury and comfort.
Nestled in the Teramachi Shopping Arcade area, this 4-star hotel is recommended for both business and leisure travelers since it’s minutes away from Sanjo Train Station, JR Kyoto Station, Nishiki Market, Yasaka Shrine, and other major attractions.
It is a 9-storey hotel with 225 guestrooms, furnished with elegant decor and modern amenities.
Starting at $93 per night, guests can enjoy a standard double room for 2 at this hotel with air conditioning, a heater, plush bedding, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a refrigerator.
Each room has an en-suite bathroom with a bidet, deep soaking tub, and eco-friendly toiletries. This lavish property also has an on-site restaurant, laundry facilities, and luggage storage.
Number 2: Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto
For travelers in search of Western-style accommodation, check out the Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto near Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower, and Nishiki Market. It is perfectly located in Kyoto’s shopping district, Shimogyo Ward.
This 4-star facility is a 9-storey hotel that offers Western-style amenities and Japanese hospitality. It has 325 well-appointed rooms adorned with Kyokarakami paper and Nishijin textile’s unique pattern, starting at $103 per night for 2 guests.
These rooms have air conditioning, a heater, premium bedding, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi—and an en-suite bathroom complete with a bidet, shower-tub combination, and complimentary toiletries.
In addition, Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto has an on-site bar, lobby lounge, rooftop beer garden, and 5 restaurants, serving buffet, grilled teppanyaki, local, and continental cuisines.
Number 1: Hotel Monterey Kyoto
Taking the number 1 spot on our list, Hotel Monterey Kyoto is one of the best affordable accommodations in the city that offers top-notch service.
It is located near Karasuma Sanjo Station, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishiki Market, and Nijō Castle, making it a great choice for leisure and business travelers.
This 4-star hotel features Britain’s traditional heritage and Kyoto’s culture, from its Scottish-inspired facade and lobby to its hot springs and spa.
Hotel Monterey Kyoto is a 13-story facility with 327 beautifully adorned guestrooms, equipped with air conditioning, a heater, premium bedding, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-fi, and a refrigerator. Guests can enjoy these soundproofed rooms with a partially open bathroom with a bidet, shower-tub combination, and free toiletries.
Located on the top floor is the hotel’s best feature, the Spa Trinity, flowing with pure natural spring water.
About the Author
Ethan Miles
Thanks for stopping by Happy Travel Corner! I enjoy researching destinations, discovering great hotels, putting together travel outfit ideas, and sharing simple travel tips to help make every trip a little easier to plan. I hope you'll find ideas and inspiration for wherever you're headed next. Happy travels!