Kyoto is exactly what you picture when you think about Japan. Geishas roaming the streets, historic pagodas popping up above the skyline, tiny narrow lanes that make you slow down, and the smell of incense drifting out of little shops you weren’t even looking for.
There are fantastic Kyoto hotels, don’t get me wrong. But Kyoto moves slower than Tokyo, and it’s the perfect city to book an Airbnb that feels special. I just got back from 5 days in Kyoto with friends and I kept thinking we should’ve done a big place together instead of splitting up into different hotels. More space, a shared kitchen, somewhere to hang out at night, and honestly, it would’ve made the trip feel more connected.
So if you’re looking for the best Airbnbs in Kyoto, I pulled together the ones I’d actually book. From traditional Japanese houses with tatami mats to sleek spots with modern amenities and even a few Kyoto Airbnb with onsen-style features, these are the vacation rentals worth saving.
I’ll share what each place is best for, what neighborhood it’s in, and the little details that matter when you’re booking a home in Kyoto.
Keisei Gold House, A Kyoto Townhouse Stay Near Nijo Castle
- Good for: Couples, families, small groups
- Location: Nakagyo Ward, central Kyoto
- Why stay here: Traditional Japanese kyomachiya house, garden-view stone bath, floor heating, washer and dryer
This is one of those vacation rentals that actually feels like Kyoto, not just a place you sleep. Keisei Gold House is a full-home Kyoto townhouse (kyomachiya style) with two Japanese-style bedrooms, a living room and kitchen, and a stone bath that looks out at the garden. It’s calm, thoughtfully designed, and set up for real comfort, especially in winter thanks to floor heating. It also has a washing machine and dryer, which makes it way easier if you’re staying a few nights and want clean clothes without thinking about it.
Location is a big reason this one stands out. You’re in central Kyoto and Nijo Castle is a 4-minute walk, plus you’re close to transit and lots of restaurants without feeling like you’re stuck in a tourist swarm. It’s also a top guest favorite with an average rating of 4.93, which lines up with the vibe: private, quiet, and a little more special than your standard hotel room.
Kitano Soho 5F Penthouse With Private Garden Deck
- Good for: Couples, solo travelers who want quiet, design lovers
- Location: Kamigyo Ward, Nishijin neighborhood
- Why stay here: Private elevator to a 5th-floor loft, deck + garden with mountain views, uses Japanese cypress, washer and dryer
This is a Kyoto Airbnb that feels more like a calm little design hideout than a standard rental. You get the entire 5th floor of the Kitano Soho building with private elevator access, plus a deck and garden where you can sit outside and stare at the mountains when your brain is fried from sightseeing. Inside, it’s modern but still very Japanese in the best way. Tatami floors, a luxury Simmons queen bed, and a warm wood interior made with local materials like Japanese cypress (hinoki), walnut (kurumi), and cedar (sugi). It’s one bedroom, one bath, and it has a fully stocked kitchen, fast wifi, and a washing machine and dryer, which makes longer stays way easier.
Neighborhood-wise, this is for people who want the quieter side of Kyoto. It’s in Nishijin near the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and it’s also in close proximity to Nijo Castle. Transit is doable, just not instant. Guests mention about a 7-minute walk to the nearest bus stop, and around 26 minutes on foot to the nearest train station, so I’d book this if you’re okay walking or using buses and taxis. It’s a Guest Favorite with a 4.89 rating, and I totally get why. It’s private, peaceful, and honestly feels like a boutique hotel suite, just with way more personality.
K’s Villa Kamogawa Excellent River View
- Good for: Families, friend groups, slower travelers who want a real Kyoto house stay
- Location: Beside the Kamo River, about a 3 minute walk to Shichijo station
- Why stay here: Authentic Kyoto townhouse style wooden home, river view, private hot tub, guest favorite with a 4.98 rating
This is a Kyoto Airbnb that feels like you’re actually staying in someone’s old-school Kyoto home, not just renting a crash pad. It’s an authentic wooden house right beside the Kamo River, so you get that calm river energy the second you step outside. Inside, you’ve got the stuff that makes a group trip easier: a kitchen, washer and dryer, WiFi, and a private hot tub for the post-walking reset. It’s also a top guest favorite with a 4.98 average rating, which is basically the Airbnb version of “people don’t shut up about this place for a reason.”
The main thing to know: beds are set up based on your guest count and it’s a mix of futons plus a Western bed depending on how many people you book. Also, check-in is at their office (not at the house) and it has a cutoff time, so don’t book this if you tend to roll into town at 11pm and hope for the best.
Traditional Japanese House near Heian Shrine
- Good for: Families, two couples, friend groups who want a real house stay
- Location: Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, with check-in near Kyoto Station (Kyoto Sta)
- Why stay here: Renovated traditional Japanese machiya house, outdoor rotenburo-style bathtub, 3 bedrooms, double bed setup, kitchen, WiFi, washing machine with dryer function, Guest Favorite with a 4.89 rating
If you’re looking for a traditional house in Kyoto that still has modern comfort, this one hits the sweet spot. It’s a traditional Kyoto machiya-style home (an entire house, not a tiny room) with three bedrooms and space for up to five guests, which is rare in the city if you’re comparing it to a hotel. The sleeping setup is simple: two rooms with a double bed plus one single bed, so it works well for couples or a small group that wants everyone under the same roof.
It’s also one of those vacation rentals that makes daily life easy. You’ve got a full kitchen, a welcome drink on check-in day, and laundry on-site, which matters more than you think after a few long days of walking distance exploring. The home is located near Heian Jingu Shrine, so you can step out and be in Kyoto sightseeing mode within minutes on foot. It’s also a Guest Favorite with an average rating of 4.89, which is usually a good sign you’re getting a smooth, well-run Airbnb experience.
Kiraku Kyoto Gion, Gion Hideaway With Outdoor Bath
- Good for: Couples, friends, first-time visitors who want to stay in the most iconic part of the city
- Location: Gion, Higashiyama Ward, near Gion-Shijo Station and the Higashiyama Yasui bus stop
- Why stay here: Private machiya airbnb limited to one group per day, open-air bath plus a classic goemon bath, tatami living room, king bed, walkable to Yasaka Shrine and the Gion lanes
If you want a best Kyoto Airbnb pick that feels unmistakably Gion, this is it. Kiraku Kyoto Gion is a traditional Japanese machiya house you rent as a full home, and it’s designed around the baths in the best way. You get an open-air Shigaraki-ware bath plus a nostalgic iron goemon bath, so it scratches that Kyoto Airbnb with onsen itch without needing to leave your rental. Inside it’s very traditional Kyoto with tatami, a little garden moment, and a layout that works for real trips, not just one-night stays.
Location-wise, this one’s hard to beat for visiting Kyoto on foot. Kennin-ji, Yasaka Shrine, and the Gion streets are within about a 10 minute walk, and you’re close to the station for getting across the city when you’re bouncing between temples, a tea ceremony booking, and dinner plans. It sleeps up to four guests with a king bed upstairs plus futon sets, so it’s great for two people who want extra space or a small group that wants a home base in the middle of it all. It’s also a guest favorite vibe with a 4.95 rating, which tracks for a spot this dialed-in.
Indigo House Gion Upper Level
- Good for: Couples, friends, design lovers who want a quieter Gion base
- Location: Gion, Kyoto, on a quiet cul-de-sac near Kennin-ji Temple
- Why stay here: Renovated former ochaya, tatami bedrooms, interior garden, extra-wide double bed plus a double futon, washer and dryer, top guest favorite with a 5.0 rating
Indigo House Gion is one of those rentals that feels like you’re getting a little slice of old Kyoto, but with the kind of modern comfort you actually want after a long day out. It used to be a tea house, and it still has that traditional Kyoto atmosphere, just updated by a Kyoto-based architect with clean, high-end design and luxurious modern amenities. The upper level has its own entrance, two tatami bedrooms with real original details (tokonoma alcoves, woven wood ceiling work, bamboo trim), and a living area that mixes Japanese and Scandinavian styling in a way that somehow works. The kitchen is fully set up, and having a washing machine and dryer in-unit is a lifesaver if you’re doing a longer vacation and don’t want to rewear the same two outfits.
Location is the big flex here. You’re staying in Gion, but tucked onto a dead-quiet little street with no through traffic, so it feels calm even though you’re right in the city. Kennin-ji is basically your neighbor, and you’re in easy walking distance of the classic Gion spots, shops, and restaurants, plus a station nearby for getting around Kyoto. It’s a guest favorite in the top tier with a 5.0 average rating, which honestly tracks for a place that’s this thoughtfully done.
Choan Shoen Central Kyoto Traditional House
- Good for: Small groups, families, friends who want a private house to spread out
- Location: Central Kyoto, a 10 minute walk to Shijo Station and Karasuma Station, walking distance to Kawaramachi
- Why stay here: Historic property built in 1893, one group at a time, tatami + shoji, garden courtyard vibe, 3 baths, washing machine and dryer, top guest favorite with a 5.0 rating
Choan Shoen feels like the answer if you want to experience life in a traditional Japanese Kyoto townhouse, but you also want the practical stuff handled. This historic property offers that classic machiya feel, tatami, shoji screens, plaster walls, and seating overlooking an old manicured garden, but it’s not precious about comfort. You’ve got air conditioning, WiFi, a real kitchen, and a washer and dryer, which is huge if you’re visiting Kyoto for more than a couple nights and don’t want to pack like a minimalist.
Layout-wise, it works well for a group because it’s a full house with multiple living spaces, two bedrooms with double beds, and three bathrooms so you’re not doing the “who’s in the shower” negotiation every morning. Location is also a win since you’re in central Kyoto, a 10 minute walk to the station, plus a quick 4 minute walk to a convenience store and supermarket. It’s a guest favorite with a perfect 5.0 average rating, and it reads like one of those best airbnbs in kyoto picks that’s calm, beautiful, and actually set up for real people.
CHANOMI Japanese Traditional House in Central Kyoto
- Good for: Friends, families, first-timers who want a central home base
- Location: Heart of Kyoto, 2 minute walk to Shijo Dori, 2 minute walk to the nearest bus stop
- Why stay here: Traditional house built in 1919, garden-view goemon-buro bath, private hot tub, washer and dryer, top guest favorite with a 4.95 rating
CHANOMI Airbnb is one of those friendly rentals that makes visiting Kyoto feel easy. It’s a traditional Japanese house with real Kyoto character, but it’s also set up like a proper home, not a “good luck figuring it out” rental. You’ve got two bedrooms with multiple beds (including a double bed), AC, fast WiFi, and a washer and dryer, so it works well for a family or a group that wants space without paying for two separate hotel rooms.
Location is the big flex here. You’re in central Kyoto, a 2 minute walk from Shijo Dori for shopping and food, and the nearest bus stop is also a 2 minute walk, which makes getting around the city simple. If you’re comparing vacation rentals by price per night, this one tends to be a strong value for the space, the amenities, and the guest favorite status. The standout feature is the GOEMON-BURO style bath next to the shower room, with a little garden view while you soak, which hits that traditional kyoto experience without needing to book a spa.
MACHIYA SAUNA KYOTO Sauna Hotel in a Traditional Kyoto Townhouse
- Good for: Friend groups, couples, wellness people who want a Kyoto Airbnb with onsen vibes (but sauna-first)
- Location: Nakagyo Ward, central Kyoto, tucked in a quiet alley
- Why stay here: Private sauna + jacuzzi, semi-open-air cold plunge made with Japanese cypress, garden views, guest favorite with a 5.0 rating, 6 futons for a group stay
If your dream Kyoto stay includes sweating it out, cold plunge, then melting into a tatami room like you’ve got zero emails, this one is it. MACHIYA SAUNA KYOTO is an authentic, renovated Kyoto townhouse style building (a traditional house, over 160 years old) that’s basically a private spa disguised as an Airbnb. The sauna is the headline, designed for that “totonou” cycle, and the cold bath is lined with Japanese cypress so it smells like a forest while you’re trying to remember your own name. You also get a garden view, a private hot tub, and a couple of rest zones, including a tatami room that leans very traditional Japanese.
It’s also not just a wellness flex, it’s a legit place to live for a few nights. There’s WiFi, a kitchen, and a big second-floor living room (the old atelier space) where you can crash after a long day in the city. They even include tea and Japanese sweets, which is the exact energy I want after a sauna session. If you’re sorting best Airbnbs in Kyoto by experience factor, this is high on the list, especially for a vacation that’s equal parts sightseeing and recovery.
ANJIN Gosho Ebisugawa Luxury Stay in Central Kyoto Villa
- Good for: Families, friend groups, couples who want a splurge-y stay
- Location: Nakagyo Ward, central Kyoto near Marutamachi Station and Nijojo-mae Station
- Why stay here: Newly renovated Kyoto townhouse, garden-view stone bath, floor heating, washer and dryer, walking distance to Nijo Castle
This is a Kyoto Airbnb that nails the balance between traditional Japanese design and actually feeling comfortable to live in for a few nights. It opened in May 2024 and the whole place is a private machiya-style home, with earthen walls, warm modern lighting, and a stone-lined bathtub that looks out at a garden. If you’re visiting Kyoto and you want a place that feels like a real home, not just a room, this is the vibe.
It’s also a really easy setup for groups. Three bedrooms with a mix of a king bed and futons, a modern kitchen, and a washer-dryer so you’re not stuck doing laundry math mid-vacation. Location-wise, you’re in central Kyoto near two stations, and the listing notes you can get to Kyoto Station directly without transfers. It’s a guest favorite with a 4.97 rating, and I’d absolutely file this under the best Airbnbs in Kyoto if you want a polished, calm home base.
Machiya de Sauna Near Kyoto Station
- Good for: Families, friend groups, spa people who want a reset between sightseeing days
- Location: Minami Ward, near Kyoto Station
- Why stay here: 5 minute walk to Kyoto Station, private sauna 24 hours, open-air bath + cold bath, king bed plus futons, full kitchen, washing machine and dryer
This Kyoto Airbnb is basically a mini spa hideout that also happens to be insanely convenient. It’s a two-story private rental with a king bed downstairs plus a Japanese-style room upstairs with three futon sets, so it works well for a group of up to five. The big draw is the relaxation setup: a private sauna you can use anytime, an open-air bath, and a cold-water bath for that full “I walked 25,000 steps today” recovery moment.
Because it’s near Kyoto Station, this is an easy home base for visiting Kyoto without spending half your trip figuring out transit. You’re close to trains and the station area, and you’ve got the stuff that makes vacation rentals feel less annoying, like a full kitchen and laundry in-unit. It’s also a guest favorite with an average rating of 4.98, which checks out if you’re hunting for a Kyoto Airbnb with onsen-style amenities without giving up location. It’s one of the best Airbnbs in Kyoto for couples who want to retreat each night to relax.
Kyoto days add up fast. One minute you’re “just popping by” a shrine, the next you’ve walked 25,000 steps and you’re standing in a convenience store trying to decide if you need electrolytes or a new personality.
That’s why I like booking an Airbnb here. You get space, laundry, and a real home base. If you’re planning an early run to Fushimi Inari Shrine, it also makes mornings way less chaotic. And yeah, a few of these belong on my running list of the Best Airbnbs in Japan, not just Kyoto.
