Kyoto is the world-famous Japanese city with enough incredible sights to keep you occupied for months. From big bamboo groves, to ancient wooden temples and historical streets, Kyoto is a step into Japan’s past and a city that you are sure not to forget.
The only problem with Kyoto is, like all of Japan, it’s expensive!
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with the best hostels in Kyoto for you to see the sights, and hopefully the cherry blossom, too!
So it’s time to say konnichiwa with our round up of the best hostels in Kyoto. These top hostels in Kyoto are awesome in design and provide amazing value. Let’s take a look!
Editor’s note – Ready to explore beyond this Japanese city? Check out our 20 best day trips from Kyoto!
Quick Answers – The Coolest Hostels in Kyoto
#1 Best Overall Hostel in Kyoto – The Millennials
#2 Best Party Hostel in Kyoto – Friends Kyo
#3 Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Kyoto – Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel
#4 Best Hostel near Inari-Taisha Shrine – Kyoto Hostel Ryokan
#5 Best Hostel near Philosopher’s Path – Hostel Niniroom
#6 Best Hostel near Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – Utano Youth Hostel
#7 Best Hostel near Kyoto Bus Station – Piece Hostel Kyoto
#8 Best Hostel near Kyoto Train Station – K’s House Hostel#
#9 Best High-end Hostel in Kyoto – R Star Hostel
#10 Best Budget Hostel in Kyoto – Kyoto Hana Hostel
#11 Best Hostel with a Private Room in Kyoto – Grids Kyoto
#1 – The Millennials
Best Overall Hostel in Kyoto
The Millennials is the best overall hostel in Kyoto
The Millennials is the best overall hostel in Kyoto
The Millennials is the best overall hostel in Kyoto- Cost – $$
- Location – 235, Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Millennials Hostel…
Yes, it’s called Millennials so it should be trendy and cool, right? Well, there’s no avocado and toast in sight, but there’s plenty of chic design, polished concrete and muted striped back furnishings at this cool hostel in Kyoto. The bunks are pod-style but they’re roomy and private, so staying at the best overall hostel in Kyoto isn’t your usual dorm experience.
Millennials Hostel is perfect for…
If you want to spend your down time in relaxing surroundings where you can get chatting to other travellers in the lounge bar then stay here. The staff at this top hostel in Kyoto are incredibly helpful and will make sure your stay is as smooth as possible. Right in the middle of downtown, all the best bits of the city are on the doorstep.
#2 – Friend’s Kyo
Best Party Hostel in Kyoto
Friend’s Kyo is the best party hostel in Kyoto
Friend’s Kyo is the best party hostel in Kyoto
Friend’s Kyo is the best party hostel in Kyoto- Cost – $$
- Location – 193 Kamiyanagi-cho, Higashiyama ku
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Friend’s Kyo…
Kyoto is more famous for temples and tradition than it is wild nights and parties, but that doesn’t mean there’s no night life at all. Friend’s Kyoto provides the best party hostel environment for travellers to meet and get to know each other over sunset beers on the roof terrace. The private rooms are small, so getting a bunk, with its own privacy curtain, might be a better option.
Friend’s Kyo is perfect for…
If you want to dance the night away in Kyoto then this is the hostel to stay in. The city’s main clubbing district is five minutes away and the staff claim that they will help you to party – with great staff like this on board it’s no wonder this is the best party hostel in Kyoto. Sleep off the hangover in a clean and comfy bed and then enjoy a cup of coffee in the hostel’s cafe the next morning before hitting the streets of the Geisha district.
#3 – Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Kyoto
Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel is the best hostel for solo travellers in Kyoto
Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel is the best hostel for solo travellers in Kyoto
Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel is the best hostel for solo travellers in Kyoto- Cost – $$$
- Location – 563-11 bairincho 5 Higashiiru Yamatooji Gojodori H
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel…
Brand new, clean-cut and modern, we love that this stylish little hostel offers a world of calm and privacy. Situated in the heart of the city, it’s close to the famous Kiyomizu temple so you can get there early and beat the crowds. Beds come with privacy curtain, plug sockets and lights and are immaculate.
Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel is perfect for…
If you are travelling by yourself and want a somewhere chilled out to sleep and refresh yourself in between taking in all of the sites then this hostel fits the bill. Rooms are small but have everything you need and there a social cafe on the ground floor where guests can enjoy a coffee and get chatting with other travellers. Easily the best hostel for solo travellers in Kyoto.
#4 – Kyoto Hostel Ryokan
Best Hostel near Inari-Taisha Shrine
- Cost – $$
- Location – 23-10. Kawabemachi Higashi Kujyo, Minami Ku
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Kyoto Hostel Ryokan…
Just a quick walk from the metro station, Kyoto Hostel Ryokan will help you with every question you might have during your stay. It’s easy to travel around the city from here on foot or you can rent one of their bikes and cycle five minutes up the road to Inari-Taisha. Choose from open plan dorm rooms or a private bedroom at this best hostel near Inari-Taisha Shrine – and enjoy a free breakfast of Japanese curry!
Kyoto Hostel Ryokan is perfect for…
If seeing the incredible fox temple in Kyoto is important to you then stay at this hostel, it’s less than a mile away from shrine. So you can head up to the top of the mountain, through the famous red torii gates for sunrise and for sunset over the old city and then head back down to your hostel for the evening.
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#5 – Hostel Niniroom
Best Hostel near Philosopher’s Path
- Cost – $$
- Location – 30-3 Higashi-Maruchicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Hostel Niniroom…
We love that this hostel is brand new and sparklingly clean. Stay right in the middle of the action, close to the city’s sites, surrounded by bars and restaurants. Niniroom is all cool tiles, overflowing plant pots and polished wood, the kind of cool hostel that’s more like a boutique hotel. There’s even a roll top bath to use if you fancy a soak, which definitely helps secure its position as the best hostel near Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto – particularly beautiful in cherry blossom season.
Hostel Niniroom is perfect for…
The location of Niniroom is perfect for seeing Kyoto’s top tourist attractions, everything is so nearby you can get there on foot. There’s bike hire if you want to hit the streets on two wheels and this Kyoto backpackers hostel also features those cool high-tech Japanese toilets, so you can have some fun trying those out.
#6 – Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel
Best Hostel near Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Why we like Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel…
Further out of the city, this hostel is more like a larger spa resort. With access to the warming onsen (japanese hot spring baths), you can spend evenings unwinding in the traditional Japanese way – which we love. This place is less of a backpacker spot and the majority of guests seem to be domestic tourists, staying here means a unique glimpse into Japanese ways of life; which is why it’s our pick for the best hostel near Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel is perfect for…
If visiting the incredible bamboo groves is at the top of your Kyoto sightseeing list, then this hostel is perfect. You can beat the thousands of people who flock to see the bamboo in high season and get there early by staying nearby. This top hostel in Kyoto has its own canteen as well so you don’t have to worry about finding restaurants.
#7 – K’s House Hostel
Best Hostel near Kyoto Train Station
- Cost – $$
- Location – 418 Nayachou, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like K’s House Hostel…
Located just a ten-minute walk from Kyoto Train Station, K’s House is also a twenty-minute walk from the main sightseeing area of Gion. Less design-orientated than other hostels in the city, the bunks are more like traditional hostel beds rather than the pod beds in many of the other hostels in the city. There’s also a small outdoor courtyard where guests can spend time chatting, enjoying a coffee or have some relaxing time simply reading a book.
K’s House Hostel is perfect for…
K’s House is super easy to get to on foot from the station, even with heavy bags. Being the best hostel near Kyoto Train Station, when you arrive after a long train ride staff will welcome you with friendly smiles, help you with restaurant recommendations and give you maps to the nearby sights.
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#8 – Piece Hostel Kyoto
Best Hostel near Kyoto Bus Terminal
- Cost – $$
- Location – 21-1 Higashikujyo Higashisanno-cho, Minami-ku
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Piece Hostel Kyoto…
The new trendy hostel has a focus on urban design. Describing themselves as a boutique hostel, they manage to make plywood looks chic in the spacious dorms. Enjoy making yourself breakfast in the communal kitchen and catching up with the other guests. The staff will help you with all of your queries. Definitely one of the coolest hostels in Kyoto.
Piece Hotel Kyoto is perfect for…
Close to both the train station and Bus Terminal, this hostel is great for people who are arriving in the city by public transport. Combined with its convenient location is a calm tatami garden where you can experience traditional tea ceremonies. The chilled surroundings create a relaxing atmosphere meaning you can get an excellent nights sleep: a killer combo that makes for the best hostel near Kyoto Bus Terminal.
#9 – R Star Hostel
Best High-end Hostel in Kyoto
- Cost – $$
- Location – 256-2 MOTORYOUGAE-CHO SIMOGYOOUKU KYOTO
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like R Star Hostel…
There’s parquet floor, cool wood paneling and a tatami-style feature wall. It all adds up to a pretty sleek and stylishly Japanese aesthetic that you won’t be able to stop snapping pictures of. It has big open common rooms and a modern kitchen where you can make a cup of tea and a snack and watch a spot of Japanese TV in the lounge. The breakfast is free as well, which is always a bonus!
R Star Hostel is perfect for…
The best high-end hostel in Kyoto is perfect for travellers who like staying in style-conscious surroundings. Everything here has been thought-out with design and practicality in mind. The space has been used excellently, so that the dorm feels private but is actually quite open and spacious.
#10 – Kyoto Hana Hostel
Best Budget Hostel in Kyoto
- Cost – $$
- Location – 229 Akezu-dori Street, Kogawa-cho, Shimogyo-ku
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Kyoto Hana Hostel…
Cosy and homely, Hana Hostel have created a warm and welcoming environment that is well priced so you can actually afford to visit Kyoto. A typically Japanese-style cafe on the ground floor makes for a nice space to meet new friends and other travellers. There’s also a kitchen for guests to use so you can keep inside your travel budget and make yourself some meals.
Kyoto Hana Hostel is perfect for…
This budget hostel in Kyoto is more about having the real Japanese travel experience. Less design-oriented than other hostels in the city, Hana Hostel oozes a typical Japanese hostel feel. Being the best budget hostel in Kyoto, though rooms are small they’re clean and comfy – you can even choose to sleep on a futon in a tatami room.
#11 – Grids Kyoto
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Kyoto
- Cost – $$$
- Location – 599 Nishidaimonjicho, Nishikikoji kudaru, Tomikoji
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Grids Kyoto…
Grids hostel is one of those properly stylish places that impresses from the moment you catch sight of it. The rooms at this youth hostel in Kyoto are spacious and they serve up a good breakfast to set you up for a day of sightseeing. Not to mention that top attractions such as Gion Market are really close-by, as well as the metro and bus stops.
Grids Kyoto is perfect for…
If staying in a private room is important to you when you travel, then this hostel could work very well for you. Their private rooms are more like hotel rooms and are much larger than other private rooms in hostels in the city; you can see why it’s the best hostel with a private room in Kyoto. The rooms also comes with an en-suite, although classically Japanese and small, it is clean and well equipped.
More Best Hostels in Kyoto
#12 – Mosaic Hostel Kyoto
- Cost – $$$
- Location – Minami-ku Nishikujo Kasugacho 4-1, Minami-ku, Kyoto city
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Mosaic…
We enjoy the focus on privacy that seems to be going on in the dorms at this top hostel in Kyoto. As well as being spacious, the arrangement of the dorms make it feel as though you could be sleeping in a private room – and for the price, it’s a good option for a budget hostel in Kyoto.
Mosaic is perfect for…
If you’re looking for something like a capsule experience without having to actually stay in a Japanese capsule hotel, Mosaic will provide a comfy alternative. The location of this recommended hostel in Kyoto, near the train station plus other sights, is also something to brag about, too.
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#13 – Hostel Haruya Book
Why we like Hostel Haruya Book…
The variety on offer at this Kyoto backpackers hostel is something that we really enjoy. Sit in the dark wood and homely cafe-style surroundings of the common room gazing at manga one minute, then sit at the window and enjoy a view of a beautiful Japanese garden the next – it’s a great mix.
Hobu Hostel is perfect for…
It’s not just the varied nature of this place, though; those interested in staying in a building that’s over 100 years old will really love the experience of this place. Though not cutting edge or chic or minimalist, the fact that this place is steeped in history alone makes it one of the coolest hostels in Kyoto.
#14 – Comics Capsule Hotel
- Cost – $$
- Location – 525-1 Higashigawa-machi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Grids Hostel…
We are in love with the veritable library of manga that occupies a lot of space at this Kyoto backpackers hostel. It’s almost unbelievable, but it’s a fantastic quirk of this hostel that so much of the hostel has been dedicated to the famous Japanese comic-books. With that and top attractions nearby, it’s easy to see why this is a recommended hostel in Kyoto.
Grids Hostel is perfect for…
Manga-lovers will absolutely adore this youth hostel in Kyoto. The downstairs common area-slash-cafe is totally packed with comic-books, so you can easily while away the hours chilling out and getting into a new manga if you have some free time. And that’s without evening mention how breezily cool this hostel is!
#15 – Gojo Guesthouse
- Cost – $$
- Location – 3-396-2 Gojobashihigashi, Higashiyama-Ku
- Reviews → Check on Hostel World
Why we like Gojo Guesthouse…
Not so modern as other hostels in the city, Gojo is housed in a traditional building. This cool hostel in Kyoto offers the chance for guests to spend time in a historical setting, which is ideal when you are staying in such an old city. The staff make this place feel homely and will welcome you back home when you return after a day seeing the city.
Gojo Guesthouse is perfect for…
If you are travelling in a couple and want somewhere a little different and special to stay then Gojo should fit the bill. You can opt to stay in a private tatami room on futons for the real Japanese ryokan-style experience. And, for when you want to socialise, you can meet other travellers in their cute cafe-style common room.
FAQ’s
How Much are Hostels in Kyoto?
A dorm room will probably be around $20 to $30 for one night. For a private room, you'll need to plan on spending between $35 and $70 for most places.
What are Hostels in Kyoto Like?
Generally very clean, modern, and with excellent facilities! Kyoto is a popular tourist destination in Japan, and you can find a great variety of hostels whether you're a party animal or prefer a quiet stay. Kyoto is large, so hostels are spread out in various neighborhoods.
How Safe are Hostels in Kyoto?
Kyoto is considered one of the safest cities in Japan, and hostels generally have excellent security features, so it's not very likely that you'll encounter any problems during your stay!
How to Find Hostels in Kyoto?
Look on HostelWorld to see all the options and compare prices. If you're traveling around to other places in Japan, you can ask for recommendation at your current hotel or hostel about the best places to stay!
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Best Overall Hostel in Kyoto
Millennials Hostel
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Best Party Hostel in Kyoto
Friend’s Kyo
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Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Kyoto
Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel
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Best Hostel near Inari-Taisha Shrine
Kyoto Hostel Ryokan
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Best Hostel near Philosopher’s Path
Hostel Niniroom
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Best Hostel near Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel
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Best Hostel near Kyoto Train Station
K’s House Hostel
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Best Hostel near Kyoto Bus Terminal
Piece Hostel Kyoto
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Best High-end Hostel in Kyoto
R Star Hostel
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Best Budget Hostel in Kyoto
Kyoto Hana Hostel
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Best Hostel with a Private Room in Kyoto
Grids Kyoto
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Final Thoughts on the top hostels in Kyoto
Backpacking Japan? Check out the top hostels in Tokyo and in Kyoto as well!
With a choice of hostels as good as that, it’s easy to see why Kyoto attracts as many tourists as it does. We did say that the hostels are all impossibly cool!
And, now that you know about the best hostels in Kyoto, just make sure you book them in time for the cherry blossom, because we promise you they really do get booked up very quickly.
But, if it’s hard for you to decide between one totally cool Kyoto hostel and the next, choose our best all round hostel in Kyoto: The Millennials. And then all you have to do is simply enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime trip.
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