Where to Stay in Kyoto with Kids: Best Family Hotels

Having traveled to Japan both before and after having a kid, we have realized how much the right hotel matters on a family trip. Before kids, we mostly prioritized location since we were only in the room to sleep. But traveling with a toddler changed that completely, especially in Japan where hotel rooms can be notoriously small. Extra space for energetic kids to bounce around around and a kitchenette for easy breakfasts and simple meals make a huge difference in Japan, especially since many places in Japan open later in the morning. The Kyoto hotels we recommend balance convenient sightseeing locations with larger rooms and thoughtful family-friendly amenities. In fact, our favorite hotel we’ve stayed at anywhere in Japan is in Kyoto! If you’re wondering where to stay in Kyoto with kids, these are the hotels we’d personally recommend for the best combination of location, space, and family-friendly amenities.

Home Rentals or Hotels in Japan?

Whether to stay in a home rental or a hotel is usually a point of personal preference. However. Asian countries are different from Western countries in many ways, and it can be helpful to have the convenience of hotel front desk staff to help facilitate on your first trip. I enjoy the comfort and privacy of a home rental when traveling in the United States. But especially in Japan where English is not widely spoken, it’s much easier to stay in a hotel or an apartment run by a hotel. It is helpful to have front desk staff who can assist with making dinner reservations or explaining directions. That is why all our recommendations for where to stay in Kyoto with kids are hotels or aparthotels.

It is often also easier to find hotels than home rentals in Japan. Japan has few street signs, making it easy to get lost, even with Google Maps as your guide. Our recommendations for where to stay in Kyoto with kids are located close to the train stations or main streets, so there is less chance of getting lost while looking for your accommodations.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

Kyoto is a large city, so the sights are spaced pretty far apart. However, public transportation connects you easily to all the sights. The two most convenient areas to stay in Kyoto for sightseeing are:

• Near Kyoto Station (for easiest transportation)
• Downtown Kyoto (to be close to the main attractions)

We ultimately chose to stay near Kyoto Station since we were visiting sights closer to the station or outside of the city on our family trip to Kyoto.

Near Kyoto Station

Mimaru Kyoto Station ($$$) – best for families

The Mimaru Kyoto Station is perfect for families because all the rooms are apartment style with multiple beds. You get the space and kitchen of an Airbnb, but with the front desk staff and amenities of a hotel. It’s the best of both worlds! This Mimaru hotel even has the Pokemon-themed apartments and apartments overlooking the Kyoto station train tracks, for extra fun for kids. Usually the Mimaru brand hotels are a slightly further walk from the station, but this one is just a one minute walk from Kyoto Station! While this hotel is more expensive, it could be worth it for families looking for the extra space and convenient location.

22 Pieces ($$) – best for families, our favorite hotel!

Another more modern aparthotel option in the Kyoto Station area is 22 Pieces. These studio style apartments have kitchens, and some even have an outdoor terrace with a peaceful rock garden. A nice feature for families is that most of the rooms have 3 beds! We chose the room with a dining table – the room was so spacious and we loved the layout. They also have a bunch of small kitchen appliances and kids toys that you can rent for your stay. It’s located about a 5 minute walk from Kyoto Station and about a block away from the giant Aeon Mall, tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood. This hotel is my idea of perfect, with the ideal combination of location, space, and family-friendly amenities!

MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Station ($)

The MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Station is a slightly more affordable aparthotel option in the Kyoto Station area, if you’re ok with a further walk. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the station. But all the rooms have a kitchenette and dining area, and some even have in room laundry. The decor feels a bit more basic, but if you’re just looking for extra space and a kitchen and don’t need the luxury, it fits the bill!

Hotel Imagine Kyoto ($$)

If you want to stay near Kyoto Station but still have that traditional vibe, the Hotel Imagine Kyoto is your pick. The decor is a cross between a traditional ryokan and a modern hotel since the rooms have both a western bed and also a tatami mat area. To add to the ryokan vibes, the front desk has yukatas (traditional robes) available. There is a beautiful rooftop garden and also a useful communal kitchen next to the lobby. The slightly larger room set up and the communal kitchen make it a good option for families that could use more space.

Downtown Kyoto

Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo ($$$) – best for families

The Mimaru aparthotels are pricey, but worth it for the space and family-friendly amenities. Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo has a great location a couple minutes walk from Nishiki Market just outside the crowds. It’s also close to a train station for easy access to Kyoto’s other sights. The best part is the 2 and 3 bedroom suite options, so there is plenty of space for families traveling together.

Good Nature Hotel Kyoto ($)

The Good Nature Hotel Kyoto is perfectly located in downtown Kyoto right on the main street of Kawaramachi-dori. Despite being on a bustling street, I love that the hotel itself is an oasis of zen because of the greenery incorporated into the design. Some of the rooms have an amazing terrace where you can relax at the end of a day of sightseeing. And the atrium itself is very unique with a lattice of greenery running up the building. The hotel has a grocery store in the basement and is also a block away from a large department store with plentiful food options in the basement.