In Kyoto, where you stay shapes everything. The city's accommodations range from the most traditional ryokan to the most intimate riverside retreats to the most sprawling urban resorts — and each offers a vastly different lens through which to experience Japan's cultural capital.
Below is a look at the MICHELIN Key hotels in Kyoto — the best of the best accommodations, as selected by MICHELIN Inspectors.
The Single Three Key Hotel in Kyoto
When a hotel earns Three MICHELIN Keys from the Guide, it’s an indication the hotel is worth a trip all its own — a place worth seeking out despite your current travel plans. These are the very best of the very best, and Kyoto boasts one hotel with the distinction: Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto. Set on historic grounds once belonging to the Mitsui family — one of Japan’s most storied and prominent business families — the former residence, adjacent to the Nijo Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), retains architectural features dating back to the family’s stewardship, which began in the 17th century. At the same time, the hotel provides a level of modern comfort and sophistication — exemplified by its thermal spring spa, MICHELIN restaurant and gorgeous, Japanese-inspired suites — that rivals any new build in Japan.
Kyoto sports a pair of Two MICHELIN Key hotels. What they share is a true sense of place. Where they differ is almost everywhere else, each with distinct features that showcase two entirely different sides of the city. Surrounded by 80 acres of forest and gardens, Aman Kyoto's minimalist design prioritizes harmony with its spectacular natural setting in a quiet corner of the city — all while turning authentic Japanese features into the purest luxury, such as cypress-wood soaking tubs and green-tea-incorporating spa treatments.
If Aman Kyoto represents the all-encompassing luxury hotel, the Shinmonzen, on the other hand, is the luxe boutique. Set in the heart of the historic Gion district, its sleek, natural design was designed, in part by Tadao Ando, to resemble a classic machiya (wooden) townhouse, and the hotel appeals to travelers here for easy access to the city’s renowned sites and temples. The hotel provides guests the chance for a private rickshaw ride for a unique tour of Kyoto, as well as an extensive art collection on-site that includes works by prominent international artists like Damien Hirst.
Kyoto’s 17 One Key Hotels offer a range of experiences, but they all share certain defining qualities: remarkable character, local essence and service that honors Japan's world-renowned hospitality.
For an authentic ryokan experience, family-owned Hiiragiya consistently delivers — you'll find personalized service as genuine as it was when the inn opened in 1818. This serene gem, located within walking distance of Kyoto's highlights like Nishiki Market, transports guests to the Edo period through artisanal woodwork and stained glass details. The complimentary kaiseki meals and reservable bathhouse create a traditional ambiance that has captivated travelers for over two centuries.
Kifune Ugenta offers Kyoto's most intimate ryokan experience, set in the Kibune mountains. With just two suites, each featuring private indoor/outdoor baths, this ultra-exclusive property offers too riverside dining and immersive seasonal cuisine that changes with Kyoto's dramatic seasons.
Back in the urban center, The Ritz-Carlton masterfully blends traditional Japanese design with contemporary luxury. The property offers culture seekers onsite workshops ranging from tea ceremonies to kid-friendly origami and is conveniently positioned about a mile from Kawaramachi Street's shopping and dining district. Equally well-known for exceptional service, The Four Seasons takes a different approach, creating a serene oasis with spacious rooms and a coveted spa built around an 800-year-old heritage pond garden. The location places guests just a five-minute walk from Kyoto National Museum and a 13-minute walk from the photogenic Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Family-friendly ROKU KYOTO stands out for its access to what is considered Kyoto's only outdoor natural onsen thermal pool, open year-round. Within the confines of the city but set in the foothills of the Takagamine Mountains, this modern five-star property offers a perfect base for history lovers — Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) is just a 15-minute walk away.
Hero image: The Mitsui Kyoto — Inspectors' only Three MICHELIN Key selection in Kyoto.
