Where to Stay in Kyoto as a Solo Traveler (Hostel, Safety, Areas)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Kyoto

The first hostel I booked in Kyoto backed onto an alley lined with lanterns.

Every evening, the scent of grilled mochi drifted through the dorm window and reminded me why location matters more than thread count.

If you’re traveling solo and wondering where to stay in Kyoto, this guide maps the city’s moods so you can match your energy—whether that’s dawn temple walks or late-night sake sampling.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Kyoto

Best for Hostel Newbies

Guesthouse Soi9.6

from $12.70 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Piece Hostel9.3

from $11.10 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Guest House Ga-Jyun9.5

from $13.99 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Why Kyoto Is a Must-Visit Destination

Kyoto feels like a living museum that invites you to touch the exhibits.

Wooden townhouses lean over stone lanes, bamboo groves whisper like soft drums, and temple bells mark time better than any phone alarm. 

Solo travel in Kyoto shines because everything is compact: hop a bus, walk a few minutes, and you’re at a shrine older than most countries.

Yet cafés pour latte art foxes, and contactless payments keep things easy.

This blend of tradition and convenience makes the city ideal for first-timers seeking calm mornings and story-rich evenings.

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Kyoto

Gion

Lanterns glow, teahouses whisper, and geiko glide past like moving brush strokes.

• Pros: Classic streets, quick walks to Yasaka Shrine, atmospheric night strolls.
• Cons: Higher dorm prices, crowds after sunset.
• Best for: Cultural buffs, photographers, travelers who pack nicer shoes.

Higashiyama

Cobbled slopes climb toward Kiyomizu-dera; incense mingles with steamed bun aromas.

• Pros: Dawn temple access, small cafés, endless souvenir alleys.
• Cons: Tour buses by 10 a.m., steep streets if you’re rolling luggage.
• Best for: Sunrise hikers, souvenir hunters, walking-tour lovers.

Kawaramachi (Downtown)

Neon signs bounce off the Kamo River while karaoke tunes float above yakitori smoke.

• Pros: Central buses, nightlife, convenience stores every 20 feet.
• Cons: Traffic noise, pricier cafés.
• Best for: Social travelers, shoppers, anyone who craves food at midnight.

Kyoto Station Area

Glass-and-steel station, late-night curry spots, and bullet-train doors opening like sci-fi portals.

• Pros: Day-trip hub, big lockers, budget beds.
• Cons: Less “old Kyoto” feel, streets get quiet after ten.
• Best for: Rail-pass holders, budget travelers, itinerary tinkerers.

Arashiyama

Bamboo groves sway, rivers sparkle, and monkeys claim mountaintops.

• Pros: Nature, scenic walks, peaceful evenings.
• Cons: 20-minute train to downtown, limited hostel count.
• Best for: Nature fans, couples, early risers with tripods.

Nishijin

Silk workshops hum, student cafés pour matcha lattes, and alley cats nap on tatami scraps.

• Pros: Cheaper dorms, artisan vibe, easy buses to golden temples.
• Cons: Fewer convenience stores, quieter nightlife.
• Best for: Budget travelers, creatives, crowd-avoiders.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Kyoto

1. Grand-rem - best for Couples, Older travelers (+50), Solo Traveller
2. Tour Club
3. Accommodation Kyotokko - best for Solo Traveller
4. Downtown Inn
5. Guest House YULULU - best for Quiet Rest

Grand-rem

8.7

Nakagyo-Ku

"…The hostel is fairly subdued, but these common spaces provide opportunities to socialize and meet more

Tour Club

8.9

Shimogyo-ku

"…The room also has an air conditioner for summer that works as a heater as well during the more

Accommodation Kyotokko

8.2

Kamigyo-ku

"…Each bed has a light, so the lights out at eleven p.m. is not an issue at all. Only one computer more

Downtown Inn

8.8

"…, which is the reception’s schedule. For early check-in, the guest has to pay. The kitchen has a more

Guest House YULULU

8.8

"…There is only a hair dryer outside the shower. Common Spaces This is a small guesthouse more

The Best (and Worst) Areas to Stay in Kyoto

• Best neighborhood to stay for party-minded solo travelers: Kawaramachi—bars stack on top of izakayas, and hostel pub crawls start around the corner. Vibe: social, loud, snack-filled.
• Best neighborhood for history lovers: Gion/Higashiyama—wooden lanes, shrine lanterns, and tea ceremonies. Vibe: timeless, photo-ready, evening calm.
• Best neighborhood for budget travelers: Kyoto Station Area—cheaper dorms, discount grocery stores, and free station Wi-Fi. Vibe: practical, transit-heavy, laid-back.
• Areas to be cautious: Residential outskirts past the last bus loops—buses stop early, taxi fares erase dorm savings. Stick within the central grid unless you adore long night walks.

Seasoned tip: If a hostel lists “walkable to Gion” but sits north of Nijo Castle, budget extra transit yen—Kyoto blocks look shorter on maps than in real life.

Still not sure? Pick my Favorite Hostel in Kyoto

#1 Top Hostel in Kyoto: Guesthouse Soi

This is the overall best rated hostel in Guesthouse Soi. The overall rating is 9.6. You cannot go wrong here.

It is your safest bet in case you are not sure which hostel to pick.

The price for a dorm at Guesthouse Soi starts from $12.70.

Check out Guesthouse Soi here

Safest Area to Stay in Kyoto as a Solo Traveler

Kyoto ranks safe overall, yet three pockets feel especially comfy for first-timers.

• Gion South: Well-lit lanes, plenty of foot traffic, and police boxes at major corners.
• Kawaramachi around Shijo: Shops stay open late, buses keep running, and river paths are patrolled.
• Kyoto Station East Exit: Station staff 24/7, bright signage, and hostels grouped near main roads.

Safety hacks:

• Use brightly lit routes—even if Maps shows a shortcut alley, stick to the main drag after dark.
• Carry a small coin purse; temple markets get busy, and pickpockets sniff out backpacks left open.
• Know the last bus time; Kyoto taxis start at around ¥600 and climb quickly.

Tips for Booking Social Hostels in Kyoto Without Overpaying

Hostels beat hotels for solo travel because they cost less, hand you instant friends, and staff know local noodle spots better than any guidebook.

• Filter for big common rooms or rooftop lounges—people mingle where there’s space.
• Look for free walking tours or takoyaki nights in reviews—built-in icebreakers.
• I always jump on Hostelz.com. One search compares Booking.com and Hostelworld prices, and you can click filters for women-only dorms, solo-traveler favorites, or even party hostels. It feels like getting insider info without knowing a local.

Book weekends at least two weeks out, especially during cherry-blossom or maple-leaf seasons. Midweek beds linger longer, so last-minute planners still stand a chance.

Backpacking Kyoto? Here's What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I've been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I'm passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Nour De Wilde Salhab

A Lebanese-Congolese-French-Belgian girl as likely to be found climbing a volcano in Indonesia or reading a sci-fi book by the sea in the South of France. Always on the hunt for remarkable experiences. My two favorites so far: volunteering in emergency medical services in Lebanon and solo backpacking around the world. Life is enjoyable in all its facets, from its healthy extremes to its mundane slows.