This page contains promotions (affiliate links) (Editorial & ad policy)
Hotels near Gion, Kyoto: 5 picked from 648, from about ¥7,000
Approximate, at the rate on 2026-10-02. You pay in yen.
- Five hotels near Gion, from a 161-room APA to a three-room machiya inn
- APA is a minute from Yasaka Shrine; Granbell two minutes from Gion-Shijo station
- Yuzuya has fluent English staff; the Tokyu lends free baby cots near Higashiyama station
The five
| Best for | Where to book | Score | Weeknight (per person) | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-room machiya inn, breakfast rated 5.00 on Rakuten — if you can’t decide | Ryokan Fukuya Check price |
90/100 | ¥16,000 | ¥16,000 |
| Two minutes from Gion-Shijo station, with a bath house | Kyoto Granbell Hotel Check price |
81/100 | ¥16,000–48,000 | ¥16,000–45,000 |
| Four minutes from Higashiyama station, free baby cots | The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu Check price |
72/100 | ¥16,000–49,000 | ¥12,000–61,000 |
| Small ryokan next to Yasaka Shrine, fluent English staff | Yuzuya Ryokan, Gion Check price |
71/100 | ¥30,000–52,000 | ¥36,000–56,000 |
| One minute’s walk to Yasaka Shrine, 4 min from Gion-Shijo | APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent Check price |
70/100 | ¥7,000–20,000 | ¥11,000–22,000 |
Prices are the cheapest per person found on Rakuten Travel for Wednesdays and Saturdays between 2026-11-18 – 2027-01-09, for 2 adults in one room (checked 2026-11-08). They move daily — the link shows live prices.
The booking links go to Agoda, which shows today’s price and lets you pay in your own currency. Its price can differ from the Rakuten Travel figures above.
Three-room machiya inn, breakfast rated 5.00 on Rakuten
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.93/5 (144)
- On Shimogawara-dori, just south of the Yasaka Shrine gate (listing address)
- The listing points to walks to Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji
- Check-in 16:00, last check-in 20:00, check-out 10:00
Why it made the five
- Only three rooms.
- 4.93 across 144 reviews; breakfast and service both rated 5.00.
- About ¥16,000 per person with breakfast, on a weeknight and on a Saturday.
- Ten minutes on foot from Keihan Shijo (Gion-Shijo) station.
Getting there: Ten minutes on foot from Keihan Shijo station, the listing’s name for Gion-Shijo, and five minutes from the Higashiyama-Yasui city bus stop.
Language and payment: Staff language skills are not published, so ask when you book. Payment is cash only; Rakuten lists no cards.
-
Right for: A quiet night in a small inn, with breakfast as the main event.
-
Not for: Paying by card. The bill is settled in cash only.
-
Worth knowing: Curfew at 22:30. Contact the inn if you will check in after 18:00.
Score breakdown — 90/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★★★ | The categories Rakuten does show (room and others) average 4.87 |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥16,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, breakfast) — 100% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Breakfast in your room or a private room; ten minutes from Keihan Shijo station and five from the Higashiyama-Yasui bus stop; a machiya-style inn serving breakfast only; a family bath. |
| Trust | ★★★★★ | 4.93 across 144 reviews (Rakuten Travel 144) |
| Only here | ★★★★★ | Three rooms in a machiya-style breakfast-only inn, 4.93 across 144 reviews, with breakfast and service both rated 5.00. |
Two minutes from Gion-Shijo station, with a bath house
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.80/5 (306) · Agoda 9.1/10 (2,507) · 2,813 in total
- 105 rooms; check-in 15:00, last check-in 29:30 (5:30 a.m.)
- Paid coin laundry and transformers to borrow (Rakuten listing)
- Children up to 5 share a bed free, one per adult; no extra beds in any room
Why it made the five
- Two minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo station; about eight to Yasaka Shrine.
- A large communal bath.
- Check-out at 12:00.
- 4.80 across 306 reviews, with cleanliness also at 4.80.
Getting there: Two minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo station and seven from Kyoto-Kawaramachi; about ten minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station; about eight minutes on foot to Yasaka Shrine.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff understand a little English. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club are listed. The large bath is communal and nude; if you have a tattoo, ask the hotel first.
-
Right for: Staying by the station and ending the day in a large bath.
-
Not for: Arriving by car. The hotel has no parking.
-
Worth knowing: For stays from 1 March 2026, the Kyoto prefecture accommodation tax is paid separately.
Score breakdown — 81/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★☆☆ | Rakuten shows no category scores, so this is our own baseline rating |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥16,000–48,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, breakfast) — 96% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Check-out 12:00; two minutes from Gion-Shijo station and seven from Kyoto-Kawaramachi; about eight minutes to Yasaka Shrine; a large communal bath. |
| Trust | ★★★★★ | 4.8 across 306 reviews (Rakuten Travel 306) |
| Only here | ★★★★☆ | Two minutes from Gion-Shijo station with a large bath, and 4.80 across 306 reviews with cleanliness at 4.80. |
Four minutes from Higashiyama station, free baby cots
The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.56/5 (153) · Agoda 9.0/10 (1,217) · 1,370 in total
- 143 rooms; check-in 14:00, last check-in 27:00 (3 a.m.)
- Shuttle bus from Kyoto Station at 25 past the hour, 8:00 to 20:00 (Rakuten listing)
- Rooms rated 4.62 and cleanliness 4.67 on Rakuten
Why it made the five
- Four minutes on foot from Higashiyama station on the Tozai subway line.
- Free baby cots and bed guards, by reservation.
- A gym and a paid coin laundry.
- 4.56 across 153 reviews.
Getting there: Four minutes on foot from Higashiyama station on the Tozai subway line.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff understand a little English. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club and many Japanese cards are listed.
-
Right for: Travelling with small children and wanting a full-service hotel near a station.
-
Not for: Arriving by car. The hotel has no parking.
-
Worth knowing: A deposit in cash or by card may be asked for on arrival. Kyoto city accommodation tax is not in the rate and is paid at the hotel.
Score breakdown — 72/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★☆☆ | Room, bath and dinner average 4.53 on Rakuten Travel |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥16,000–49,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, breakfast) — 100% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Check-out 11:00; four minutes from Higashiyama station on the Tozai line; preschoolers share a bed free, one per adult, with free baby cots and bed guards by reservation; a gym and a paid coin laundry; barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible rooms; a shuttle bus. |
| Trust | ★★★☆☆ | 4.56 across 153 reviews (Rakuten Travel 153) |
| Only here | ★★★☆☆ | 143 rooms four minutes from Higashiyama station, with free baby cots and barrier-free rooms, which makes it easy with children. |
Small ryokan next to Yasaka Shrine, fluent English staff
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.80/5 (71) · Agoda 9.2/10 (185) · 256 in total
- Calls itself a Japanese auberge, a restaurant with rooms (Rakuten listing)
- Dinner rated 4.67 on Rakuten
- Check-in 15:00, last check-in 18:00, check-out 11:00
Why it made the five
- Next to Yasaka Shrine, on its south side.
- Per Rakuten, a few staff speak near-native, fluent English.
- Breakfast rated 5.00.
- 4.80 across 71 reviews.
Getting there: Next to Yasaka Shrine (Rakuten); the listing gives bus directions: city bus to the Gion stop, route 206 from Kyoto Station. It gives no walking time from a station.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff speak near-native, fluent English, and a few understand a little Chinese and Korean. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club and Rakuten Card are listed. Tell the inn about allergies or dietary limits when you book.
-
Right for: Talking things through in English and eating Kyoto cooking at a ryokan.
-
Not for: Families. Children aged 13 and under cannot stay.
-
Worth knowing: The listing gives no walking time from a station; from Kyoto Station, take city bus 206 to the Gion stop. Accommodation tax is paid at the inn, even on prepaid bookings. No parking.
Score breakdown — 71/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★★☆ | The categories Rakuten does show (room and others) average 4.67 |
| Value for money | ★☆☆☆☆ | ¥30,000–52,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, breakfast) — 188% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Check-out 11:00; next to Yasaka Shrine, on its south side; a few staff speak near-native English; city bus 206 from Kyoto Station to the Gion stop; breakfast and dinner in the dining room. |
| Trust | ★★★★☆ | 4.8 across 71 reviews (Rakuten Travel 71) |
| Only here | ★★★★☆ | A restaurant-inn on the south side of Yasaka Shrine where, per Rakuten, a few staff speak near-native, fluent English. |
One minute’s walk to Yasaka Shrine, 4 min from Gion-Shijo
APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.21/5 (3,647) · Agoda 8.3/10 (2,672) · 6,319 in total
- 161 rooms; reopened after renovation on 23 March 2026
- Breakfast is a buffet in the restaurant
- Preschool children share a bed free, one per bed (Rakuten listing)
- Check-in 15:00
Why it made the five
- One minute on foot to Yasaka Shrine.
- Four minutes from exit 6 of Keihan Gion-Shijo station.
- From about ¥7,000 per person with breakfast on a weeknight, the cheapest of the five.
- 4.21 across 3,647 reviews, the most of the five.
Getting there: Four minutes on foot from exit 6 of Keihan Gion-Shijo station and seven from exit 1B of Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi; one minute to Yasaka Shrine.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, several staff handle everyday English, and a few understand a little Chinese and Korean. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club and debit cards are listed, and code payments such as PayPay are accepted at the hotel.
-
Right for: Walking Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park early in the morning.
-
Not for: A slow morning. Check-out is at 10:00.
-
Worth knowing: Parking is at the partner Kenninji car park: ¥1,800 for 24 hours from entry, first come first served, no in-and-out.
Score breakdown — 70/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★☆☆☆☆ | The categories Rakuten does show (room and others) average 4.17 |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ | ¥7,000–20,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, breakfast) — 44% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | One minute to Yasaka Shrine; four minutes from exit 6 of Keihan Gion-Shijo and seven from exit 1B of Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi; several staff handle everyday English; last check-in 29:00. |
| Trust | ★★☆☆☆ | 4.21 across 3,647 reviews (Rakuten Travel 3,647) |
| Only here | ★★★☆☆ | 161 rooms a minute from Yasaka Shrine, with 3,647 reviews behind a steady score; reopened after renovation on 23 March 2026. |
Know before you book
- Gion-Shijo station on the Keihan line sits at the west edge of Gion, by the Kamo River. Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi terminal is across the Shijo bridge, a few minutes on foot. Some Rakuten listings still call the Keihan station Shijo, its old name.
- Higashiyama station, on the Tozai subway line, is at the north end of the district near the Shirakawa canal. It is the station to use if you are coming from Karasuma-Oike or Nijo.
- Yasaka Shrine closes the east end of Shijo-dori. Hanamikoji, the teahouse street, runs south off Shijo-dori between the station and the shrine.
- There is no train from Kyoto Station straight into Gion. City buses 100 (rapid) and 206 stop at Gion, and a taxi takes about ten minutes. One of the five, the Tokyu, runs its own shuttle bus from Kyoto Station.
- Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji are walkable from Yasaka Shrine, heading south through the old lanes of Higashiyama. Two of the five listings point to those walks.
- Prices here are per person with breakfast, for two sharing. Kyoto’s accommodation tax comes on top, and several of these listings collect it at the hotel.
How we chose: theme, conditions, scoring
How we chose
- Candidates: every property in Gion (Kyoto) listed on Rakuten Travel — 648
- Passed the review filter (counts and averages on Rakuten Travel, the one site that lists every property in the area): 54
- Met every condition below: 15
- Kept: five, each the best at something different
Where the facts come from
- Facts: Rakuten Travel property information (in some articles, each hotel’s own site too)
- Prices: Rakuten Travel live availability, Wednesdays and Saturdays over eight weeks
- Reviews: the count and average on Rakuten Travel, as given in each hotel’s Trust row. Agoda’s reviews are shown under each hotel name for reference only and do not count towards the score
Conditions (all of them, not most of them)
- In Rakuten Travel’s Kyoto city district C, which includes Gion and Higashiyama
- At least 50 reviews on Rakuten Travel, averaging 4.0 or better
- The cheapest rate falls between ¥6,000 and ¥50,000 per person per night
- The listing names Gion-Shijo, Higashiyama or Gion in its access details
- About ten minutes or less on foot from Keihan Gion-Shijo or Higashiyama (Tozai line), checked against the access details, or next to Yasaka Shrine or a few minutes from it per Rakuten. Properties on the Kiyomizu-Gojo, Kyoto Station, Okazaki and Kitashirakawa sides, and those reached only by bus or shuttle, were left out
Scoring
Five criteria, one to five stars each, weighted to one hundred points. Every star says where the number came from.
- Quality20 pts
- The average of the scores Rakuten Travel publishes for the room, the bath and the food.
- Value for money25 pts
- The cheapest breakfast-inclusive rate against the median of the hotels we compared.
- Easy to stay30 pts
- Minutes from the station, a bath house, and check-out time.
- Trust20 pts
- Review counts and averages published by Rakuten Travel.
- Only here5 pts
- What this hotel has that the other seven do not.
What we dropped
| Property | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto no Yado Gion no Tsuki | Runner-up (69/100) | 69/100, a point behind the fifth pick and level with Gion Fukuzumi. Its weekday rate sits at 105% of the median, three stars on value, while APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent, also a short walk from Yasaka Shrine, starts at about ¥7,000 and takes five. |
| Gion Fukuzumi | Runner-up (69/100) | 69/100, level with Gion no Tsuki and a point behind the fifth pick. Its room, bath and dinner scores average 4.35, two stars on quality, and its listing gives only bus directions. |
| Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion | Runner-up (67/100) | 67/100, three points behind the fifth pick. Its weekday rate from about ¥23,000 is 145% of the median, one star on value, and Rakuten shows no room or bath scores, so quality stays at a default three stars. |
| Hotel Sasarindo | Runner-up | Three minutes from Gion-Shijo station, close to Hanamikoji, 4.18 across 1,033 reviews. But the front desk is closed from 24:00 to 5:00, the jacuzzi cannot be used in any room, breakfast is rated 3.98, and APA already covers the affordable-hotel-by-the-station role. |
| Tassel Hotel Sanjo Shirakawa | Runner-up | About a minute from Higashiyama station and 4.72 across 74 reviews, but the listing names no breakfast venue, so it may not compare on a with-breakfast basis. |
| Hotel Yuraku Kyo Yasaka | Outside the theme | 4.81 across 58 reviews, but the access details give only a bus (the Gion stop, then about seven minutes on foot) and a car, with no walk from a station. |
| 594 hotels | Below the floor | Fewer than 50 reviews on Rakuten Travel, or an average below 4.0. |
Questions visitors ask
Which of these is closest to Gion-Shijo station?
Kyoto Granbell Hotel, two minutes on foot. APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent is four minutes from exit 6. Ryokan Fukuya is ten minutes from the same station, which its listing calls Keihan Shijo. The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu uses a different station, Higashiyama on the Tozai subway line, four minutes away.
Which is nearest Yasaka Shrine?
APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent is one minute on foot from it, and Yuzuya Ryokan, Gion stands right next to it on the south side. Kyoto Granbell Hotel is about eight minutes away. Of the runners-up, Gion no Tsuki faces the shrine and Gion Fukuzumi is two minutes from it.
How do I get there from Kyoto Station?
The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu runs a shuttle bus from Kyoto Station at 25 past each hour from 8:00 to 20:00. For Yuzuya Ryokan, Gion, the listing says to take city bus 206 to the Gion stop. Kyoto Granbell Hotel is about ten minutes by taxi. Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion, a runner-up, has a free shuttle from the Hachijo exit.
Can I stay with small children?
The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu lends baby cots and bed guards free by reservation, and preschoolers share a bed free, one per adult. At Kyoto Granbell Hotel, children up to 5 share a bed free, but no extra beds fit. Yuzuya Ryokan, Gion does not take children aged 13 and under.
How much do these cost?
We searched Rakuten Travel availability for Wednesdays and Saturdays between 18 November 2026 and 9 January 2027 (checked 8 November), taking the cheapest plan with breakfast and showing it per person for two sharing. Weeknights start at about ¥7,000 at APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent and about ¥30,000 at Yuzuya Ryokan, Gion. Kyoto’s accommodation tax is extra.
Which one would you book?
Ryokan Fukuya: it scored highest overall (90/100), with 4.93 across 144 reviews and breakfast rated 5.00, at about ¥16,000 per person on a weeknight or a Saturday. Pay in cash and be back by the 22:30 curfew. If you want a larger hotel by the station with a bath, Kyoto Granbell Hotel is two minutes from Gion-Shijo and scored 81.
Changes
- 2026-11-08 First published. Scored from 648 candidates.