Recommended Hotels in Kyoto for Families
Last Updated on October 24, 2024 by Kay
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If you’re looking for great family-friendly hotels in Kyoto, I’ve got you covered.
The information in this article is from not just one but two long-term Japan residents and parents, including one who lives in Kyoto and has experience in the hotel industry (Lisa).
So you can feel assured that the hotels recommended here are among the best, which is what all parents want for their families.
Note that bed-sharing is common in Japan so make sure you check how many beds are available before making your reservation. Also, I’ve tried to include whether the hotels include amenities for kids or rental cribs. But if you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask the hotel what they carry for kids.
If you’re interested in ryokan, read my article on recommended ryokan in Kyoto for families.
Also, I’ve written an article all about what to do with kids in Kyoto, so make sure to give it a read!
Table of Contents
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Kyoto
All of the hotels in this list are centrally located in Kyoto, making them perfect places to stay for first-time visitors.
Central Kyoto is home to numerous renowned temples and shrines, the picturesque Kamo River, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the bustling Nishiki Market, and various popular shopping streets. It’s truly an ideal hub for exploring the essence of Kyoto.
RESI STAY THE KYOTO
My family stayed here and loved it. It’s not only cost-effective and convenient as it’s within walking distance to Kyoto Station and near many restaurants and shops, but there’s also a Hello Kitty room as well as Kuromi rooms.
We were lucky enough to spend a night in the Hello Kitty room and my daughter didn’t want to leave!
The hotel is a reformed apartment, so it’s spacious and also has a kitchenette and laundry machine inside the room. I think it’s a great place to stay if you’re visiting Kyoto, especially if you’ll be spending several days in the city.
Make sure to read my article about my stay if you want an in-depth review!
PLAY!! Resi Stay
Play!! Resi Stay is probably the best hotel in Kyoto for families with young and super-active children. It has themed rooms where kids can do exactly as the hotel name states — play!
I’m talking climbing walls, scaling ropes, and areas for play that are just their own.
The spacious rooms also come with a kitchenette and adorable amenities for kids, including a coloring book and pencil crayons! The hotel has a coin laundry machine as well, making it perfect for long stays.
It’s also in an excellent location, right by Nijo Castle and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
This hotel is conveniently located in Kyoto Station, which makes it very easy not only to find but also to use as a base for your travels.
They have an indoor swimming pool and sauna as well as restaurants in the building.
The hotel provides children’s toothbrushes, slippers, and yukata. They provide step stools as well. Cribs and bed guards are also available upon request, so it’s no surprise that families rated Hotel Granvia Kyoto 9.2 on Booking.com.
“Location was very convenient, breakfast buffet was very good, staff were very helpful.” -Lisa, Canada (See other reviews)
Mimaru Kyoto Station
Located only 10 minutes from Kyoto Station by foot, it’s in an ideal location for travelers.
The room also has a kitchenette stocked with pots, plates, and utensils, making it great for long-term stays.
Best of all, among the regular rooms there’s also a Pokemon Room with Pokemon decor and a giant Snorlax on the bed!
“The best of this property is everything location, clean, large room and you can cook, friendly staff and Front desk can speak English they guide us to get to places we want to visit.” -Nina, USA (See other reviews)
There are other locations as well, so if you want to stay in a Pokemon Room somewhere else in Kyoto, check out these branches:
MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo (offers rental strollers)
MIMARU Kyoto Nishinotoin Takasuji
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
My friend Lisa, a long-term Kyoto resident, loves this hotel for several reasons.
Like with most hotels in Japan, children under 18 stay for free. You can request a baby crib, extra bed, or sofa bed for no additional charge. They also offer a bottle sterilizer, baby safety amenities, and complimentary bath amenities for children.
Lisa recommends this hotel in particular because of the amount of kids activities they offer. When arriving, you will be given a very cute and fun activity box for your children. They also have a playroom for 3 to 8-year-olds, filled with lots of toys and board games.
Her son’s favourite area is the Japanese garden outside the dining space. He loves to feed the Koi fish, watch the ducks swim by, and spot the turtles sleeping on the rocks. Sometimes they are cute baby ducks waddling around the deck area too! Another plus is that the restaurant offers a kids’ menu and can cater to any allergies or dietary requirements you or your family may have.
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Another hotel my friend Lisa recommends is Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto. As the name implies, the hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the world-famous Kiyomizudera Temple. The area alone captures the essence of Kyoto and is filled with traditional buildings and shops.
Lisa stayed there for two nights and told me that although they don’t offer as much in terms of kids’ activities, there is a wonderful atmosphere here with a rooftop view of Kyoto, and a bakery on the 1st floor that is delicious. Her son especially loves the rice flour bread with sweet red beans inside. Almost everything is made without eggs too (but always check first as recipes may change).
The restaurant is also very accommodating to children, offering blankets if it’s cold, and closed straw cups to drink from. The food is really delicious and portion sizes are fair. However, they don’t seem to have a kids’ menu which is a slight disadvantage.
This is located in a popular shopping district in Kyoto and is conveniently within walking distance of Shijo Station.
Breakfast is included in the fee, making it quite a cost-effective place to stay while visiting Kyoto (perhaps the cheapest on this list!). The rooms are also soundproof.
“Great place to stay within Kyoto which we used as a base for further travel. Lots of food nearby open late. A short walk from the train station. Local bus nearby for tourist spots. Will recommend and use again.” Steven, Australia (See other reviews)
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If you want a luxurious stay in Kyoto, THE THOUSAND KYOTO is my recommendation.
The rooms are not only gorgeous but the hotel offers special tours that can’t be found anywhere else. They also have highly-rated restaurants in the building and kids are allowed inside.
Families with kids rated THE THOUSAND KYOTO a 9.4 on Booking.com.
“Nice room, nice ambiance. Very classy feel to the place. Highly convenient with the malls, food, and transportation nearby.” -Boon, Singapore (See other reviews)
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji
This hotel is a little bit of a walk from Kyoto Station and the rooms on the smaller side but it is still popular with guests due to its affordability.
It’s also a hit with kids due to having lots of train-themed items, such as Shinkansen-shaped plates at their optional breakfast buffet. Some rooms are Shinkansen-themed as well. They provide tons of amenities for kids, too, such as diapers, baby shampoo and soap, pajamas, and cribs.
Best of all, this hotel is within walking distance of the Kyoto Aquarium and the Kyoto Railway Museum!
“Absolutely beautiful hotel just one stop away from Kyoto Station. A great price and the front desk staff were amazing.” -James, USA (See other reviews)
GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO
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This is a highly-rated hotel and for good reason. It focuses on sustainability in several ways. For instance, the building is the first in the world to be awarded both WELL and LEED certifications for their environmentally friendly building.
They also provide only bamboo toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and shavers for purchase to reduce waste. (In order words, bring your own or purchase them at the hotel.)
The hotel has 10 restaurants inside the building, including a Michelin 2-star. They offer guided tours as well.
Cribs and baby safety gates are available upon request, as well as slippers for kids and bottle sanitizers. They also provide baby strollers to borrow for free!
“Huge beds, lovely design, great central location.” -Caroline, New Zealand (See other reviews)
Irori Kyoto Station Higashi-Honganji
Less than a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station, this apartment-style hotel comes with everything to make a long-term stay with a family as comfortable as possible.
It has a kitchenette as well as a washing machine in the room. It’s also very affordable for what you get.
“The family room with bunks was a hit with the kids. The kitchenette made eating in easy. We could easily walk to the train station and local attractions.” -Keryn, Australia (See other reviews)
The Westin Miyako Kyoto
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This new and gorgeous hotel is located more north-east of the city but is within walking distance of Heian Shrine, Kyoto Zoo, and the Philosopher’s Path. They also offer a free shuttle bus to downtown Kyoto.
The rooms come in both Western and Japanese styles and have views of the city and mountains. It’s really lovely (the mountains are truly my favorite part of western Japan).
They also have onsen baths in the building, perfect after a day of sightseeing, and an indoor swimming pool.
“The view was spectacular and the location to the metro was super convenient.” -Buijs, Qatar (See other reviews)
FAQ About Staying in Kyoto with Kids
Where is the best area to stay in Kyoto with kids?
This depends entirely on your travel plans, but as mentioned above, I recommend staying near Kyoto Station and within the city center, such as Kawaramachi or Shijo. All of the hotels in this list are in travel-friendly areas, so you don’t have to worry about having to walk long distances to your hotel or a nearby station, or traveling far to find something to see or get a meal.
Is Kyoto kid-friendly?
Yes, it is! There are many things to do with kids in Kyoto, and my daughter even likes visiting all the different temples and shrines just to run around and let off some energy. She enjoys looking at all the flowers and fish in the ponds, too.
What can my kids eat in Japan?
There are tons of food kids can eat in Japan. I’ve written articles all about what kids can eat at restaurants and convenience stores so make sure to check it out!
Where can I get diapers and other supplies?
Check out the places listed in my article about kids’ stores in Japan.
Wrap-Up: Best Hotels for Families in Kyoto
I hope this article on Kyoto hotels for families has been helpful for your trip planning! As you’ve seen, these are all hotels with high reviews and happy customers, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. (My number one pick, though, is RESI STAY THE KYOTO, while my friend Lisa vouches for Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto.)
Kyoto is a beautiful city to visit and I never tire of it. As the former capital, it has many old and treasured temples and shrines in Japan that are must-visit spots. And although it may seem like a place kids might not like, you might be surprised, especially if your child is like mine.
It’s also easy to travel outside the city and visit nearby places like Osaka. This is why the Kansai region is one of my favorite places in Japan and somewhere I recommend everyone to visit at least once.