Short answer: The three best hostels in Kyoto are Len Kyoto (social, central, good for couples), Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA (quiet, spotless, great for female solo travellers) and Piece Hostel Kyoto (boutique, right by Kyoto Station, works for almost anyone). Kyoto prices swing hard by season, so run the dates through Hostelz first and compare what the booking sites are charging before you commit to one.
Let’s start by saying you’ve picked a wonderful destination. Allow us to show you the 3 best hostels in Kyoto to make choosing where to stay in Kyoto hassle free.
Kyoto is full of cultural wonder. Marvel at the traditional wooden houses, and experience Kaiseki dining.
It is also, honestly, one of the most visited cities in Japan right now. That has consequences: crowded buses, temple queues, and hostel prices that climb fast in spring and autumn. Worth it? Yes. Worth booking early? Also yes.
But first! Book yourself into a wonderful hostel.
Your shortcut:
- Len Kyoto – one for couples
- Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA – great for female solo travellers
- Piece Hostel Kyoto – top pick for groups
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
In this article we’re writing for solo travellers, couples, small groups and anyone who wants a quiet, well-designed bed after a long day of walking between temples.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
We condensed it all to the 3 coolest hostels in Kyoto, plus a handful more worth a mention. Heck, these awesome hostels in Kyoto really aren’t setting many limits!
We also created more best hostels guides to help you. Check out:
- all best hostels in Japan on a map (backpacking Japan Guide)
- our hostel recommendations for Tokyo
- best hostels in Osaka
- best hostels in Kobe
- Introduction
- best hostels in Kyoto compared at a glance
- 3 best hostels in detail
- more hostels worth a mention
- coolest hostels for couples
- backpackers hostel in Kyoto
- how to pick the right Kyoto hostel
- when to visit Kyoto
- how many days you need
- getting there and around
- is Kyoto safe?
- cheapest hostels and how to book
- discounts and promo codes
- map of best hostels in Kyoto + sights
- FAQs
- Flights to Kyoto
Quick Introduction to Kyoto Hostels
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can cost 18€ – 30€ per night. Hostels in Kyoto can be quite “cheap” when choosing dorms, for Japan standards. It is the cheapest Kyoto accommodation you will find!
A hostel in Kyoto with private room starts from 60€ to 120€ per night.
This is a rough average to give you an idea. Prices always depend on season and holidays. And in Kyoto that swing is brutal: a bed in the first week of April can cost double what the same bed costs in late January.
Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com. Hostelz pulls the same hostels together with prices from across the booking sites, which saves the tab-switching when you’re comparing three places on the same dates.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
One Kyoto-specific thing to budget for: the city lodging tax. It is charged per person, per night, on top of your room rate, and it went up on 1 March 2026. For rooms under ¥6,000 a night it stays at ¥200. For rooms between ¥6,000 and ¥19,999 it is now ¥400. Small money, but it is collected at the property and usually in cash.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
Best Hostels in Kyoto Compared at a Glance
| Hostel | Best for | Vibe | Area | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Len Kyoto | Couples, small groups, female solo travellers | Social, design-led, café-bar downstairs | Kawaramachi, between Shijo and Gojo | Ground-floor café and bar open to locals, so you meet people who aren’t travellers |
| Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA | Female solo travellers, light sleepers, older travellers | Quiet, spotless, calm | Residential street east of Karasuma-dori, near Gojo Station | Small 4 and 6-bed dorms with proper privacy curtains |
| Piece Hostel Kyoto | Groups, families, first-timers | Boutique, relaxed, everyone welcome | Two minutes from Kyoto Station | Memory foam mattresses, tatami garden, rooftop terrace |
| Kyoto Hana Hostel | Budget solo travellers | Homely, Japanese-western hybrid | Five minutes from JR Kyoto Station | Tatami and futon rooms at dorm-adjacent prices |
| HARUYA Umekoji | Introverted couples | Traditional machiya, very quiet | West of Kyoto Station, near Umekoji | Century-old townhouse, welcome tea and sweets |
| HARUYA Higashiyama | Couples who want to be near the old town | Traditional, low-key | Higashiyama, walking distance to Gion | Tatami private rooms two minutes from Higashiyama Station |
| K’s House Kyoto | Backpackers and remote workers | Simple, sociable, no frills | East of Kyoto Station, near Shichijo | Rooftop terrace, two guest kitchens, free green tea |
The 3 Best Hostels in Kyoto
Sadly, we haven’t added a Kyoto hostel to our 5 Star Hostels. Which is why we’ve strived to make this article informative, fun and useful. And if you think this will be a boring guide, well, then get ready. This guide covers cool boutique hostels in Kyoto, a couple of century-old wooden townhouses, and one place that is basically a café with beds above it.
This is an unexpected guide!
One honest note before we start. Kyoto is not a party city and it does not really have a party hostel. If that’s what you’re after, Osaka is under 30 minutes away by train and does it far better. More on that further down.
Without further ado, the 3 best hostels in Kyoto are:
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Len Kyoto |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Len Kyoto |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Piece Hostel Kyoto |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Len Kyoto |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Piece Hostel Kyoto |
1. Len Kyoto (social heaven)
Len Kyoto is a beautifully designed hostel and café-bar in one, aimed at bringing locals and travellers into the same room.
Carpenters from all over the country designed the wonderful lounge space.
The mix of rooms on offer supports what the hostel is going for: room for all kinds of adventurers.
Dorm rooms have either 6 or 8-beds. There is also a female-only dorm.
Read: Why female dorms?
Private rooms include twin, triple, queen and king doubles.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Linen is included, alongside a privacy curtain, light and power socket on the sturdy, wooden beds.
It’s nice that the bunks are raised. Plenty of room for storage and no worries about stumbling over a bag in the dark!
What else to expect:
- No curfew
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- Library w/ free tea + computer use
- Mini ‘essentials’ shop
There is a café slash bar and restaurant on the ground floor. This is open to locals and paying guests alike.
By day, enjoy a warm coffee and by night flick to a cocktail and a delicious home-cooked menu. It is the reason Len works socially even if you’re shy: you don’t have to make conversation happen in a common room, you just go downstairs and sit at the bar.
Note: groups are welcome at a maximum of 6 people.
Len Kyoto sits on Kawaramachi between Shijo and Gojo, a few minutes from the Kamo River, with Keihan and Hankyu stations a short walk away. Kyoto Station is roughly a 15-minute bus ride.
Recommended for:
- Couples
- Small groups
- Female solo travellers
Hostelgeeks Tip: The neighbourhood behind Len, in the side streets off Kawaramachi, is where the good cheap izakayas are. Walk two blocks inland before you eat, the riverside places charge a view premium.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA
Next up is a modern accommodation which was newly built in 2017. Let’s step inside Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA and have a look around!
“KIZUNA literally means bond or a strong relationship. We aim to reflect this meaning in our service.”
We suggest you book your stay here if you prefer a quiet stay, focusing mainly on getting an awesome night’s sleep.
I mean come on, take a look at those dorm beds. Wow.
It’s like sleeping in your own little cocoon, which gets you privacy without paying for a private room.
The dorms are kept small, too. Choose between a 4 or 6-bed room, one of which is specifically for female travellers.
If you’re travelling with a friend, opt for the twin room.
Aside from the rooms, there is a large communal dining area in the hostel. It’s a big space incorporating a seating area, dining area and shared kitchen.
Obviously this is the place to hang out and meet other travellers. Though “hang out” here means tea and conversation, not a night out. The hostel sits on a residential street and asks guests to keep the noise down outside after dark, which tells you everything about the crowd it attracts.
Modern inclusions such as privacy curtains and a keycard system for getting into the rooms are a bonus.
Location: Situated in a residential area east of Karasuma-dori. Gojo station is an easy 4-minute walk and links up to all of the major attractions and sights of the city. Kyoto Station is about 15 minutes on foot, which is handy on arrival day with a backpack.
Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA is a top pick for:
- Female solo travellers
- Older travellers
- Light sleepers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Piece Hostel Kyoto (everyone welcome)
If you want to experience a trendy boutique hostel, Piece Hostel Kyoto is for you.
This hostel is built with active travellers in mind; those with an open heart to adventure, people and discovery.
Read: 28 hand-picked Boutique Hostels
If this is your style, let this hostel be a piece of your journey.
There is an extensive range of rooms available.
18-bed mixed dorm, mixed deluxe dorm, female deluxe dorm, and private single, double, twin and 6-bed rooms.
Did they miss anything…? I don’t think so!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
All rooms come with:
- Free Wi-fi
- Curtain, light + power socket
- Air-Con
- Memory foam mattress – luxury!
- Luggage storage
- Security locker
- Free linen + towel
Just make sure you peel yourself away from the memory foam mattress long enough to enjoy breakfast, alright?
The stylish communal space at Piece Hostel is super cosy. The lounge, serving sake and Japanese cocktails, is a great place to meet other travellers.
There is also a library, a terrace filled with plants and a relaxing tatami (woven-straw) garden. Here you can experience Japanese tea ceremonies! If you like to keep expenses down, make use of the fully-fitted kitchen.
Note: there is no age restriction for the private rooms.
Piece Hostel Kyoto is basically on the doorstep of Kyoto Station. Nijo-jo Castle is also just a 10-minute drive away. This comfortable hostel is recommended for, well, pretty much everyone!
Especially:
- Groups
- families
- solo travelers looking for a quiet place
If we’re being fair about the tradeoff: the Kyoto Station side of town is convenient and not especially pretty. You’re a two-minute walk from every train you’ll need and a fifteen-minute ride from the parts of the city you came to see. For a first trip with day trips to Nara and Osaka on the list, that trade is worth making.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
More Hostels worth a mention
Let’s not stop there! We have more hostels in the city we think you’d enjoy.
Hana Hostel in Kyoto
Visitors can choose from private rooms or a bunk bed dorm (w/curtains), sleeping on futon bedding or on tatami (woven-straw).
Some of the most comfortable beds we slept in on this trip, for what it’s worth.
Good to know: Towels can be rented
And if you love Japanese cuisine, this hostel is a great place to give it a go.
Guests can cook and use the kitchen for free, along with all its Japanese utensils.
That kitchen is a great space for cooking and for making a few friends.
This hostel has it all!
Located 5-minutes away from JR Kyoto Train Station, Kyoto Hana Hostel offers:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Rental bicycles
- A cosy lounge with a fancy LCD TV
- Two free-use Internet PCs
- Air-Con
- Free soap and shampoo in each room
This hostel in Kyoto, Japan is great if you are a traveller interested in visiting Kyoto Tower and Higashi Hongan-ji Temple.
The Nishi Hongan-ji Temple is a 15-minute walk, in the Shimogyo Ward.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Coolest Hostels for Couples in Kyoto
With all these choices, you may wonder what is the best hostel in Kyoto for couples?
Here are our two best picks:
- Best hostel for introverted couples: HARUYA Umekoji Hostel
- Best hostel for social couples: HARUYA Higashiyama Hostel
Best guesthouse in Kyoto, HARUYA Umekoji Hostel is a hundred-year-old wooden townhouse with a welcoming Japanese tea and sweets on arrival. A great touch.
This guest house near Kyoto Station offers:
- Private rooms come with a toilet and a washbasin
- Free Wi-Fi
- Air con and heating
- Bunk bed
- Single rooms
- Library lounge
- Shared kitchen
And some of the most comfortable futons we slept on in Japan.
They can keep your luggage before check-in time and after check out time so you can explore the places nearby.
Note: this is the one thing to get right here. The entrance is locked overnight, from around 21:00, and reception hours are limited (roughly 8:30 to 14:30 and 16:00 to 21:00). If your train gets in late, message the property before you book. Turning up at 22:00 is not a small problem, it is a no-entry problem.
Check-in time is 16:00 to 21:00. Check-out time is 11:00.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
If you are looking to stay in a genuine traditional Kyoto guesthouse, HARUYA Higashiyama is a great choice.
This place is a lovely, cosy traditional wooden townhouse with a classic Japanese atmosphere.
It has Japanese-style private rooms with tatami. And everything you need to feel like you’re in a Japanese home rather than a hostel.
You can rent a bike and explore the historic Gion area with its century-old machiya architecture, Kiyomizu-dera, and the Silver Pavilion.
Located a 2-minute walk from Higashiyama Station, and close to the famous geisha district, this hostel in Kyoto, Japan has easy access to the JR network so you can make day trips to Nara and Osaka.
Read: 3 best hostels in Osaka
What can you expect in this hostel?
- Free Wi-Fi available in all areas
- Fully equipped kitchen free to use
- Coin launderette
- Free-use Internet PCs
- Bicycle rental
- luggage storage
Hostelgeeks Tip: Both HARUYA properties run on limited reception hours and self check-in instructions sent by email. Read that email before you land, because there may be nobody at the door to explain it to you.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What is a great Backpackers Hostel in Kyoto?
Kyoto hostels have a bit of everything for everyone.
And if you are looking for a proper backpackers hostel, Kyoto has this one:
Backpackers Hostel K’s House is cheap for everything it throws in:
- Sunny lounge with free Wi-Fi (great for remote workers)
- 2 free-use kitchens
- Rooftop terrace with good city views
- Free coffee and Japanese green tea
It’s a simple but homely backpacker hostel in Kyoto. Very clean, air-conditioned rooms, clean linen provided.
Toilets are shared, but modern Western-style.
Breakfast is served in the morning and there’s a café bar downstairs with Japanese snacks.
K’s House sits east of Kyoto Station near Shichijo, which makes it one of the easiest places in this guide to reach with a heavy backpack.
And if you’re an adventurous traveller, this is a great base to rent a bike and explore Kyoto, from Kyoto Tower and Sanjusangen-do to Nishi Hongan-ji and Higashi Hongan-ji.
Fair warning, and this is the honest bit: K’s House is an older building and the reviews reflect that. It’s clean and friendly rather than new and slick. If that matters to you, KIZUNA or Piece are the better call.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
How to Pick the Right Kyoto Hostel
Kyoto is compact enough that no hostel on this list is badly located. What changes is the feel of your evenings and how far you walk before breakfast. Find yourself below.
- Couple, want privacy and quiet: HARUYA Umekoji. Traditional townhouse, private rooms, nobody making noise at midnight.
- Couple, want to be near the old town: HARUYA Higashiyama. Two minutes from the subway, walking distance to Gion.
- Solo traveller who wants to meet people: Len Kyoto. The ground-floor bar does the work for you.
- Solo female traveller: Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA. Small female dorms, keycard access, quiet street. Len and Piece also have female-only dorms if KIZUNA is full.
- Groups of four or more: Piece Hostel Kyoto. The room range is the widest here, and it’s next to the station so nobody gets lost on the way home.
- Light sleeper or slightly older traveller: KIZUNA again. It’s the calmest bed in this guide.
- Tightest budget: Kyoto Hana Hostel or K’s House Kyoto, though compare both for your exact dates before booking. Kyoto pricing moves week to week and the cheapest name changes with it.
- You actually want a party: go to Osaka. Trains run late, it’s under 30 minutes, and Kyoto’s hostels are built around early starts and temple fatigue.
When to Visit Kyoto
Everyone wants cherry blossom, which is exactly the problem.
Late March to early April is peak sakura. It is beautiful and it is chaos: hostel beds sell out weeks ahead and prices roughly double. Same story in mid to late November for the autumn colours, which some travellers rate even higher than spring.
Summer (June to August) is hot and properly humid, with the rainy season falling in June. Gion Matsuri in July is one of Japan’s great festivals if you can handle the heat and the crowds together.
Winter (December to February) is cold, quiet and the cheapest time to be here. Temples in the snow, with maybe a tenth of the people. If you don’t need blossoms, this is the value pick.
Also worth avoiding on price alone: Golden Week in early May and the New Year period.
How Many Days Do You Need in Kyoto?
Three nights is the honest minimum. Four is better.
Kyoto looks small on a map and does not behave that way. Getting from Arashiyama in the west to Fushimi Inari in the south eats a chunk of your day, and the temples close earlier than you expect, usually around 16:30 or 17:00.
A workable shape: one day for eastern Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama, Gion), one for the north and west (Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama), one for the centre and south (Nishiki Market, Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle). A fourth day gives you Nara or Osaka as a day trip, or simply a slower morning, which after a week in Japan you’ll want more than another shrine.
Getting to Kyoto and Getting Around
Kyoto has no airport of its own. Most travellers fly into Kansai International (KIX), and from there the JR Haruka limited express runs directly to Kyoto Station in roughly 75 to 80 minutes. It costs ¥3,060 for a non-reserved seat, ¥3,590 reserved, and it’s covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The last one leaves KIX around 22:15, so if your flight lands late, take the airport limousine bus instead: about ¥2,800 to Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit, roughly 90 minutes, and no stairs with your bag.
From Tokyo it’s the Shinkansen, around 2 hours 15 minutes on the Nozomi (not JR Pass valid) or about 2 hours 40 on the Hikari (valid).
Inside the city, the buses go everywhere and are the reason Kyoto’s traffic is what it is. Flat fare is ¥230, you board at the back and pay at the front when you get off. The subway runs ¥220 to ¥360 depending on distance and is much faster during peak season.
Two things people still get wrong here. The old ¥700 bus-only day pass no longer exists, it was scrapped back in 2024. The current option is the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass at ¥1,100, which only pays off at around five rides. Under that, just tap an IC card. And large suitcases are no longer allowed on city buses, so store your bag at Kyoto Station before you start temple-hopping.
Hostelgeeks Tip: Add an ICOCA or Suica card to your phone wallet before you fly. You’ll tap through buses, subways and convenience stores without ever queueing at a ticket machine, which in Kyoto in April is worth more than the fare saving.
Is Kyoto Safe?
Yes. Kyoto is one of the safest cities you’ll ever backpack through, and solo female travellers consistently say the same. Walking back to your hostel at midnight is a non-issue. Lockers in dorms are standard, and most hostels here run keycard access.
The real risks are boring ones: heat exhaustion in July and August, bicycle theft if you rent one and don’t lock it, and the odd pickpocket in the worst crowds at Kiyomizu-dera or Fushimi Inari.
One rule that carries an actual fine. In Gion, the private alleys off Hanamikoji Street are off limits to visitors, with a ¥10,000 penalty for entering, and photographing geiko or maiko without consent is not okay. The main streets are fine and clearly signposted. Just don’t follow anyone down a narrow lane for a photo. It’s their workplace, not a set.
Cheapest Hostels in Kyoto and How to Book
Kyoto is not a cheap city by Asian backpacking standards, and pretending otherwise helps nobody. It is, however, very possible to sleep here on a budget if you’re flexible.
What actually moves the price:
- Season. The same dorm bed can genuinely cost twice as much in the first week of April as in mid-January.
- Dorm size. The 18-bed room at Piece is the cheapest bed in this guide for a reason.
- Lead time. Kyoto sells out. Booking three or four weeks ahead for spring and autumn is not being organised, it’s being realistic.
- Where you look. The same hostel is often listed at different rates on different platforms, and the gap is not small in high season.
Hostelgeeks Tip: Run your dates through Hostelz before you book anything. It pulls the same hostel’s price from across the booking sites into one row, so you stop guessing which tab has the better deal.
What about the cheapest hostels in Kyoto?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Kyoto.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Kyoto
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Discounts and Promo Codes for Kyoto Hostels
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Kyoto best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Map of the Best Hostels in Kyoto and Top Sights
Our Favorite Hostels in Kyoto put on a map + sights
Once you’ve pinpointed your chosen hostel on the map, everything begins to fall into place.
Alongside the top sights, also on the map, there are many activities and tours to consider.
We’ve gone to the liberty of searching for you. Here are some pretty great ideas:
- Join a full day UNESCO + Historical Sights Tour
- Go for a Night Walk in Gion
- Experience a Kyoto Tea Ceremony
- Take a long Walk with the Last Samurai
- Cycle tour your way around Kyoto
The sights we highlighted in this map are:
- Nijō Castle
- Kinkaku-ji
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Arashiyama
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Gion
- Nishiki Market
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FAQs about Hostels in Kyoto
These are your most asked questions, here we have tried to provide straight forward answers.
What is the best hostel in Kyoto?
Len Kyoto, for most travellers. It's central, well designed, and the ground-floor café bar makes it easy to meet people. If you'd rather sleep than socialise, Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA is the better bed.
How much does a hostel in Kyoto cost?
Expect roughly 18€ to 30€ per night for a dorm bed, and 60€ to 120€ for a private room. Prices climb sharply during cherry blossom season and autumn colours, so compare your exact dates rather than trusting an average.
What is the best area to stay in Kyoto?
Around Kyoto Station for convenience and day trips, or Kawaramachi and Gion for atmosphere and evenings out. Higashiyama suits travellers who want to walk to the temples before the tour buses arrive.
Are hostels in Kyoto safe?
Very. Kyoto has extremely low crime, hostels here use keycard access and in-dorm lockers as standard, and walking back late is normal. Use the locker anyway, out of habit.
What is the best hostel in Kyoto for solo travellers?
Len Kyoto if you want company, KIZUNA if you want quiet. Both have female-only dorms.
What is the best female-only hostel option in Kyoto?
Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA has small female dorms of four or six beds on a quiet residential street. Len Kyoto and Piece Hostel Kyoto also run female-only dorms if it's booked out.
Are there party hostels in Kyoto?
Not really, and that's not a gap in this guide. Kyoto's hostels are built around early temple starts and quiet neighbourhoods. For a night out, go to Osaka, which is under 30 minutes away by train.
What is the best hostel in Kyoto for couples?
HARUYA Umekoji for a quiet traditional townhouse, HARUYA Higashiyama if you want to be near Gion. Len Kyoto also has proper double and king rooms if you'd rather stay social.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
Three nights minimum, four if you want a day trip to Nara or Osaka. The sights are spread out and temples close around 16:30 to 17:00.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
Late March to early April for cherry blossom and mid to late November for autumn colours, both expensive and crowded. Winter is cold, quiet and by far the best value.
How do I get from Kansai Airport to Kyoto?
The JR Haruka express runs direct to Kyoto Station in about 75 to 80 minutes for ¥3,060 non-reserved (covered by the Japan Rail Pass). The last one leaves around 22:15. After that, take the airport limousine bus, about ¥2,800 and 90 minutes.
Do I have to pay a tourist tax in Kyoto?
Yes, a lodging tax charged per person per night at check-in. Since March 2026 it's ¥200 for rooms under ¥6,000 a night and ¥400 for rooms between ¥6,000 and ¥19,999, which covers almost every hostel bed in the city. Bring a little cash.
How do I get around Kyoto?
Buses (flat ¥230) and the subway (¥220 to ¥360). The old bus-only day pass was discontinued in 2024, so either tap an IC card or buy the ¥1,100 Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass if you're doing five or more rides. Large suitcases are not allowed on city buses.
Flights to Kyoto
Flights to Kyoto?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More Hostels in Japan and Asia
For those on a longer voyage: check out our 5 Star Hostels in Asia. We also created more best hostel guides to help you. Check out:
- BEST Hostels in Japan + Map
- Tokyo: best hostels in Tokyo + fun things to do in Tokyo + best hostels in Shinjuku, Tokyo
- coolest party hostels in Tokyo
- 3 greatest hostels in Osaka
- Best hostels in Hiroshima
- Best hostels in Kobe
- Best hostels in Sapporo
- Best hostels in Fukuoka
Other countries and cities outside of Japan:
- complete guide to best hostels in Taiwan (Backpacking Taiwan + Map)
- the 3 best hostels in Seoul
- 3 cool hostels in Beijing and finally
- 3 top hostels in Hong Kong
Over to you
So there you have it: super cool hostels in Kyoto, their locations and top sights to see all rolled into one.
By now we hope you’ve decided on where to stay in Kyoto. If you are still not sure, you can never go wrong with Hostel Kyoto KIZUNA.
Do you have any questions? Anything not clear?
Please please bother us with your question(s) and leave a comment below.
We want to make this guide to hostels in Kyoto, Japan as useful and detailed as possible. Your question(s) actually help us to improve and help you to get your travels sorted out.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
Here you will never find any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
Safe travels!
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