10 Family-Approved Hotels In Kyoto, Japan That Make Travelling With Kids So Much Easier

No holiday to Japan is complete without a visit to Kyoto, especially if it’s your first trip. The city is a beautiful blend of ancient temples, markets and neighbourhoods and despite it being rampant with overtourism, it’s hard to resist its pull.

Visiting Japan with family can be difficult, mainly because hotel rooms are often small. It can also be hard to find a hotel that will accommodate groups. If you have young children, one thing to note is that they usually won’t be charged as long as you co-sleep. For older children or bigger groups, a good option to consider are “aparthotels” or apartment-style hotels that are designed for families and usually come with bunk beds and sometimes even small kitchenette facilities. While you could also consider Airbnbs and “homestays” (apartments that have been converted into short-term stays), these won’t have a front desk or any of the other hotel-like services (such as luggage-forwarding) you might find you need.

With that in mind, here are some hotels to consider in Kyoto which are family-friendly and makes travelling with kids easier. They’re also well-located in the city’s different districts and make it easy to use public transport or walk and explore (if your child allows it).

1. Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo and Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo

One of the most well-known Japanese aparthotels amongst foreign travellers, Mimaru’s target clientele comprises mainly families. That means you can expect larger-than-average rooms as well as basic cooking facilities in the room and washer/dryers in the hotel. The brand has a whopping seven locations in Kyoto, some in quieter areas for those trying to keep things chill, and some in main areas such as Kyoto Station and Nijo Castle. Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramuchi Gojo best exemplifies the brand with the spacious rooms and lobby, and is super well-connected to supermarkets and train stations. For extra space, Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo is their first all-suites property with two to three-bedroom concepts that include a washer-dryer in the room and are best suited for multi-generational family trips or older children.

Visit Mimaru’s website for more information. Book Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramuchi Gojo here or book Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo here.

2. Monday Apart Premium Kyoto Station Kamogawa

Newly opened in November 2024, this hotel prides itself on having rooms and suites above 35sqm (quite a luxury in Japan). With Nespresso machines and Dyson hair dryers in the room, the feel is premium, even if you have to share it with feral toddlers. They even use an AI-powered software at the front desk to minimise anything that gets lost in translation. The brand has two hotels and three “premium apartments” in Kyoto. The apartment suites are larger and can accommodate up to six or seven guests. One thing to note is that some of the rooms include bunk beds that can be folded up when not in use – which, while a space saver, might make them not entirely suitable for younger kids.

Monday Apart Premium Kyoto Station Kamogawa’s website for more information or book here.

3. Minn Gion Sanjo

This is another popular aparthotel chain, which is usually slightly cheaper than Mimaru and Monday. Located near the cultural district of Gion, this is a stylish stay with rooms that come equipped with kitchens, TVs and sitting areas. Most rooms are suites and can accommodate up to six people, ensuring everyone has enough space to be comfortable. Even better, the hotel is also equipped with a private spa that you can reserve and enjoy privately. This is perfect after a long day of walking and sightseeing.

Visit Minn Gion Sanjo’s website for more information or book here.

4. 20 PIECES (and 22 PIECES)

20 Pieces is a 20-room hotel located north of Kyoto Station and across from the national heritage site, Higashi Honganji Temple. The rooms here are big – averaging about 50 sqm and come furnished with a kitchen, dining, or living spaces. Their rooms can accommodate up to six people and often come with bunk beds or extra futons. The rooms at 22 Pieces (located south of Kyoto Station) are slightly smaller at 34 to 36 sqm, but still comfortable and furnished with kitchens. Both hotels offer rental items to keep children entertained, including various board games, toys and tents.

Visit Piece Hotel’s website for more information. Book 20 Pieces here and 22 Pieces here.

5. Koko Hotel Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle

With both Western and Japanese style rooms, this hotel chain that can accommodate up to eight people in their largest rooms. All rooms include private bathrooms, kitchenettes as well as tea and coffee makers, and they also offer free toiletries. The hotel has a great location in the city centre and is just a short distance from the Kyoto International Manga Museum, Nijo Castle, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Also important – the nearest convenience store, or konbini is only a five-minute walk away, and there are two nearby subway stations.

Visit Koko Hotels’ website for more information or book here.

6. Umekoji Potel Kyoto

Highly recommended by families who have travelled to Kyoto, this hotel is more hotel than apartment, but still offers a refrigerator, electric kettle, and free toiletries in all air-conditioned rooms. There is a lot for kids to enjoy within the hotel, which features warm wooden spaces and lots of natural light. These include a book room on the second and third floors, and a board games room also located on the third floor. On the fourth floor is a music room where you can listen to vinyls, and on the fifth floor is “Moku”, a cosy game room for little ones. There is also a sauna, open-air bath, terrace, and garden that make this hotel a destination unto itself.

Visit Umekoji Potel Kyoto’s website for more information or book here.

7. Stitch Hotel Kyoto

Situated two minutes away from Gion Shijo station and just two kilometres from the famed Kiyomizu-dera Temple, this stylish hotel is designed to make your stay look and feel comfortable with rooms. Think sleek design as well as bunk beds, a kitchenette, a dining table, a microwave oven, and a seating area. Rooms either offer a city or a river view with nearby attractions including Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Shoren-in Temple. Be sure to check out their website for tips for eating around their neighbourhood (including a list of halal-friendly restaurants).

Visit Stitch Hotel Kyoto’s website for more information or book here.

8. Six Senses Kyoto

For a luxurious stay that makes maximum effort to include its youngest guests, check into the Six Senses Kyoto, which not only features an adorable, nature-themed playroom, it also curates a range of thoughtful activities for kids (aged five to 12) based around wellness and sustainability. There are even daily city walks kids can enjoy to explore the area. The hotel is located near the Toyokuni-Jinja Shrine and Kyoto National Museum, and offers 81 guest rooms and suites ranging from 42 to a whopping 238sqm. The rooms and suites can accommodate three adults or two adults and one child, while the two- and three-bedroom suites can take up to six people.

Visit Six Senses Kyoto’s website for more information or book here.

9. Four Seasons Kyoto

Located in the quietly luxurious Higashiyama district, Four Seasons Kyoto is another luxury stay that invites children to enjoy the experience as well. Kids stay for free when sharing a room or bed with a parent, and the hotel provides kid-friendly amenities including toiletries, mini bathrobes and yukata, as well as safety features such as bed rail guards, bottle sterilisers and cribs at no extra cost.

At Emba Kyoto Grill, children under four dine for free while those aged five to 12 receive 50 percent off at breakfast. Young ones will also love feeding the koi in the hotel’s 800-year-old Japanese garden, where they might meet some resident turtles and waterfowl, as well as participating in Hanameishi Hunting, where they must collect five hanameishi (literally translated as flower business card) from female staff and stick them on a fan to win a special present. There is also a playroom located on B2 (the wellness floor) where younger children aged three to eight can play while supervised by a parent.

Visit Four Seasons Kyoto’s website for more information or book here.

10. Park Hotel Kyoto

Opened in 2021, Park Hotel Kyoto is primed to provide your family with an enjoyable stay made easier with the right amenities. In addition to having washer and dryer facilities on the property, their rooms and suites can all accommodate two adults and two kids, even the standard room, which is 19sqm (though the expectation is to bedshare). If your kids are old enough, you might want to take advantage of the shared bike port on the property which lets you explore the old city at your own pace while reducing carbon emissions.

Visit Park Hotel Kyoto’s website for more information or book here.