Is Traveling with Children in Kyoto Easy?
Kyoto is a world-famous sightseeing destination famous for places like Amanohashidate, KiyomizuTemple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Although it's an old, historical city, there are plenty of attractive hotels where families with children and couples can enjoy themselves in comfort.
In this article, MATCHA's editor, who is raising kids, introduces ten places to stay in Japan's ancient capital. Many of these hotels offer multi-lingual services, so overseas visitors and international residents can have a worry-free stay.
Top 10 Kyoto Hotels for Family Stays
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Find accommodation in Kyoto on Booking.com
Hotels for Parents and Kids to Enjoy an Effortless Stay!
First, we will introduce five hotels with services aimed at families with children to ensure a fun, relaxing stay. With character-themed rooms, childcare services, and other handy options, these are worth taking a look!
1. MIMARU KYOTO STATION
As the name implies, MIMARU KYOTO STATION is right in front of JR Kyoto Station. This hotel is known for having themed rooms based on Pokemon, Japan's immensely popular anime characters.
The Pokemon Room is adorned with Pokemon motifs―from the wallpaper and wall clock to the dining table and tableware! If you follow the footprints at the entrance, you'll see a bed with a giant stuffed Snorlax (a beloved Pokemon character)!
Enjoy this Pokemon-filled space to your heart's content, especially if you're seeking a slight change of pace.
All guest rooms are apartment-style accommodations with kitchen facilities. This makes it perfect for those combining work with a vacation (or "workation"). Likewise, we recommend it for guests looking to book mid to long-term stays. The hotel also supplies baby beds upon request.
Kyoto City is home to three accommodation facilities offering these Pokemon Rooms. In addition to MIMARU KYOTO STATION, there's also MIMARU KYOTO SHINMACHI SANJO and MIMARU KYOTO NISHINOTOIN TAKATSUJI . Please choose one of these locations based on your travel plans.
We recommend MIMARU KYOTO STATION for special occassions, such as a child's birthday or wedding anniversary. You'll be able to spend memorable moments with your loved ones.
The hotel also has staff from other countries so that international visitors can have a worry-free experience.
Book a room at MIMARU KYOTO STATION on Booking.com
(*For English, click on the red and white circle at the top of the Booking.com page).
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2. Umekoji Potel KYOTO
Next, we'd like to recommend Umekoji Potel KYOTO for families with children in tow and couples. This new arrival on the hotel scene is located next to the Kyoto Aquarium alongside Umekoji Park.
They refer to themselves not as a hotel but as a potel. This new word was created by combining port with hotel. We were told that the facility aims to serve as a starting point or entry for cultural exchanges between domestic and international guests. This is similar to a port with strong ties to the local area.
The interior is based on a warm wood design, starting with the guest rooms. The wood-themed rooms have low beds and a Japanese-style space where guests remove their shoes and relax. Even families with children can stay in comfort.
Depending on the room type, some only have a shower, while others don't have a bathtub. However, if you head down to Poteyu, Umekoji Potel's public bath on the hotel's first floor, you can experience Japan's sento (public bath) culture firsthand.
Additionally, guests can enjoy reading, listening to music, and playing board games in the hotel's public spaces located on various floors. The kids' space is fully equipped with a wooden ball pool, wooden toys, and picture books.
At Awai no Ma (second floor), there are complimentary beverages and snacks. To some guests' delight, there's also an all-you-can-drink beer service! The adjoining restaurant and cafe have a children's menu, which is good news for parents and kids alike.
At Umekoji Potel Kyoto, you can have an enjoyable stay customized at your convenience. This will be a satisfying experience leaving nothing to be desired.
Book a room at Umekoji Potel KYOTO on Booking.com
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3. hotori Villa at Miyagawacho
For those interested in booking a private staycation―a holiday spent locally rather than far away―we recommend hotori Villa at Miyagawacho. This is a private villa that comes with its own concierge.
hotori is housed in a renovated 140-year-old traditional townhouse (machiya) that was originally a teahouse. The superb service carefully caters to the needs of every guest.
It's conveniently located six minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station and within walking distance of tourist spots, such as Gion and Kiyomizu Temple.
There is a concierge on standby 24 hours a day at the office next door to the hotel. Services include shopping on your behalf, food catering, and arranging sightseeing tours.
Guests can also read at a quiet nook, where you'll find a full stock of DVDs. Accommodation is limited to one group per day (up to three guests), ensuring a stay with complete privacy.
There are also multi-lingual guides (English, French, Indonesian), interpreting services (English and French), babysitting and daycare services available in English and Japanese.
For guests considering any of these services, please call ahead and discuss this beforehand with the hotori staff.
For more details, please refer to the official homepage.
Book a room at hotori on Booking.com
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4. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is a luxury hotel part of the Marriot International Hotel chain.
The guest rooms are sophisticated yet calm and relaxing, with top-quality amenities. The four in-house restaurants serve gourmet food from breakfast to dinner. Freely choose the menu that best suits your occasion.
Guests will be able to enjoy the hotel's world-class hospitality and services.
One of the hotel's attractive features is the various activities on the premises. There are also programs for exploring Kyoto and the surrounding area via hiking and cycling tours. Additionally, guests can learn about Kyoto's food culture.
Worth noting is Ritz Kids offering free activities for children. For example, there's a treasure hunt where kids explore the hotel's interior. When all stamps have been collected, they'll receive something special from the treasure chest.
For parents who'd like to enjoy a leisurely dinner for adults, we suggest using Ritz Kids Nights. Guests can take advantage of this complimentary childcare service from 19:30-21:00. Please note that prior reservations are required.
These activities and services that satisfy both adults and children are truly unique to The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto.
Book a room at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto on Booking.com
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5. RESI STAY THE KYOTO
RESI STAY THE KYOTO is 13 minutes on foot from Kyoto Station and right beside the famous Nishi Honganji Temple. This apartment-style accommodation features one of Kyoto's unique Hello Kitty guest rooms.
The hotel has a total of 38 rooms. Guests can choose different room types, including family rooms or ones for pet owners and their dogs.
A must-see for animation fans is the dream-like room overflowing with images of Hello Kitty. This room is reminiscent of a Kyoto teahouse and is decorated with cute Hello Kitty motifs. Of course, the amenities feature the adorable feline. They're so adorable it almost feels like a waste to use them!
There's also a custom sofa shaped like dango dumplings (a traditional Japanese confection) and a round window showing Maiko Kitty dressed in a traditional kimono. This photogenic guest room will make you want to snap some photos to share on social media. Don't miss out on the complimentary Hello Kitty goods exclusively for hotel guests!
Additionally, there are handy services, including baby bed rentals, to ensure families and children have a fun and relaxing stay. All rooms have a built-in kitchen with projector rentals for watching movies and videos on a big screen.
Why not immerse yourself in the world of Hello Kitty in Kyoto?
Book a room at RESI STAY THE KYOTO on Booking.com
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Relax in Elegance! Hotels for Couples and Families to Treat Themselves
Next, we'll introduce hotels for guests looking for a comfortable overnight stay. These five hotels are ideal for couples and families alike and are excellent places to pamper yourself.
6. MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo
MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo is a new type of apartment-style hotel, just three minutes on foot from Shijo Station.
Their concept is "stay at a hotel surrounded by household utensils and antiques." Bowls, dishes, and kitchenware line the hotel's first-floor lobby. These were carefully selected from a long-established furniture and utensil shop in Kyoto's Shijo district.
The rooms are decorated with these items, allowing guests to freely use them! If any of these items catch your eye, you can easily purchase them via the online shop.
They carry various kinds of goods for daily life―from unique items to fine quality products―so you might find that one special item.
All guest rooms are suites equipped with a kitchen and washing machine. The Japanese-style rooms are spacious and comfortable, allowing families with children to enjoy a worry-free stay.
An overnight stay at this hands-on hotel will have guests feeling more like they're living here. How about booking this unique yet leisurely accommodation?
Book a room at MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo on Booking.com
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7. GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO
GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO occupies the fourth to ninth floors of GOOD NATURE STATION, a multi-purpose commercial complex in Kyoto's Shijo Kawaramachi area. This ethical hotel aims to provide a comfortable stay for the body and soul.
GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO is the world's first and only hotel to be certified as a building that's both environmentally friendly (LEED certification) and health conscious (WELL certification).
Each guest room offers green tea―part of the hotel's initiative to reduce food waste―and Fair Trade Certified complimentary sweets.
You'll also find bath amenities such as NEMOHAMA, an original cosmetic brand made with 100% all-natural ingredients. Guests will be impressed by how easy and comfortable these amenities are for relaxing your mind and body.
Also, through the hotel's wellness program, you can enjoy a wide range of activities that include yoga and zazen meditation sessions.
The meals, carefully prepared using fresh ingredients, are healthy and highly nutritious! You'll undoubtedly be able to replenish your body and soul's energy. Vegan menu options are also available.
The hotel operates under the slogan, "Good for people and nature." Let's enjoy a sustainable hotel stay immersed in elegant comfort.
Book a room at GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO on Booking.com
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8. hotel tou nishinotoin kyoto
hotel tou nishinotoin kyoto is only ten minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. With easy access to sightseeing, visitors can experience Japan's traditional culture with ease.
"Your five senses become sharpened by this contrast created by light and shade." Comments like this have flooded social media platforms, creating quite a stir at this stay. This is one hotel that MATCHA's editor has also been following closely.
The hotel's spacious lobby features a collection of western and Japanese-style books and literature, allowing visitors to come into contact with Kyoto's history.
In addition to the 121 guest rooms, the basement is home to a large public bath.
The modern Japanese design allows guests to feel the depth of Kyoto's culture and history. This extraordinary space embraces the warmth of tatami and wood, creating a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
At Cafe & Bar oku on the hotel's first floor, visitors can sample Kyoto's unique food and drink culture at breakfast and lunch. There's even locally brewed beer.
Likewise, guests will be pleased to know that complimentary cocktails are served from 15:00 to 21:00 in the lounge area!
Please try and enjoy Kyoto's wabi-sabi (the beauty of quiet simplicity)!
Book a room at hotel tou nishinotoin kyoto on Booking.com
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9. HOTEL CANATA KYOTO
HOTEL CANATA KYOTO is perfect for guests who want to fully enjoy Kyoto. It has the ideal location with Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO, visible from the guest room terrace.
With their concept of "Leisurely Kyoto," you might find yourself surrendering to the passage of time. You may even feel comfortable sitting quietly and doing nothing. This hotel is ideal for those who put more value on relaxation than sightseeing.
Guest rooms have a modern chic design, with 16 rooms spanning ten room types. This atmosphere is perfect for blissful moments wrapped in peace and tranquility. There are also rooms equipped with kitchens.
Bath amenities feature Australia's all-natural cosmetic brand, Aesop. On the first floor restaurant next to the library, guests are treated to a welcome drink.
One viable and luxurious option is quietly enjoying your private time doing nothing. It could also be a valuable opportunity to sit down and try having a heart-to-heart conversation with yourself.
If you've overextended yourself and forgotten how to relax, why not take a well-deserved break now?
Book a room at HOTEL CANATA KYOTO on Booking.com
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10. MUNI KYOTO
MUNI KYOTO opened for business in Kyoto's Arashiyama district in August 2020.
The hotel has great accessibility being only four minutes on foot from Arashiyama Station. We recommend it for visitors interested in sightseeing in the scenic Sagano and Arashiyama area. It's also next to the Fukuda Art Museum.
The one-of-a-kind scenery―in harmony with the history of Arashiyama's beautiful nature―creates an experience that brings about extraordinary feelings.
MUNI KYOTO's 21 rooms are Maisonette-type accommodations ("duplex" rooms), ideal for families and groups of friends.
In addition, there's a fitness gym with an adjoining sauna room. You'll feel like you're at your own personal villa, spending precious time in a relaxed ambiance.
This hotel also features two restaurants. MUNI ALAIN DUCASSE is a contemporary restaurant on the basement's first floor. Customers can enjoy authentic French dishes prepared by Alain Ducasse, a master in the French culinary world.
MUNI LA TERRASSE offers tasty entrees at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can savor gourmet cuisine while gazing at the picturesque Katsura River and Togetsukyo Bridge.
MUNI KYOTO has many attractive features, highlighted by its outstanding hospitality and service. This unique hotel is perfect for adults who want to indulge in extravagant luxury.
Book a room at MUNI KYOTO on Booking.com
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Kyoto Hotels Meet the Needs of Each Guest!
What did you think of our accommodation selection in Kyoto?
There are still plenty of impressive Kyoto inns and hotels not mentioned in this article.
Since Kyoto is a city filled with amazing sights, please find an accommodation that best suits your purpose and the occasion.
