Where To Stay In Cherry Blossom Season In Kyoto

If you plan to be in Kyoto for cherry blossom season, it’s important that you book your accommodation well in advance. Here are some of the best places to stay for the most convenient access to the cherry blossoms.

[Sannen-zaka during cherry blossom season — image © Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com]

If you plan to be in Kyoto during cherry blossom season, book your accommodations WELL IN ADVANCE. Ideally, book several months in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you might find everyplace fully booked.

Check Current Kyoto Hotel Availability

You can check current Kyoto hotel availability for mid-March to mid-April, when the cherry blossoms bloom, on Agoda.com. Please have a read of When Is Cherry Blossom Season in Kyoto? to help you decide on the exact time to go.

Recommended Places To Stay In Kyoto During Cherry Blossom Season

One thing to keep in mind is that some of the main roads in the Southern Higashiyama and Northern Higashiyama districts becomes gridlocked during this season. (These are two of the most popular areas visited by tourists, both domestic and foreign). Thus, you might consider staying someplace near Kyoto Station or in Downtown Kyoto or Central Kyoto. Here are a few good options for cherry blossom season:

• Granvia Hotel Kyoto
  The Kyoto Hotel Granvia is not only the best hotel in the Kyoto Station area, it’s also the most convenient, since it located directly above the station itself.
• Kyoto Hotel Okura
  The Kyoto Hotel Okura has the most convenient location of any hotel in Kyoto (it’s right downtown and directly above a subway line). It’s a luxury hotel with reasonable prices.
• Genji Kyoto
  A short walk from downtown, this little hotel is a real gem. Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the Kamo River. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms from the rooftop garden.
• Hotel Kanra Kyoto
  A modern boutique hotel with Japanese touches relatively close to Kyoto Station, the Hotel Kanra is a stylish and unique place to be based in Kyoto.
• Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
  With a great restaurant and a rooftop bar that offers amazing views over the city, this well-designed hotel is within walking distance of the major sights of southern Higashiyama (but on Gojo-dori, so traffic isn’t that bad).
• Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto
  A reasonably priced serviced apartment/hotel a short walk from downtown, Citadines Kyoto Karasuma Gojo is a great choice for families, groups and couples

[Shimbashi (Shirakawa) in cherry blossom season — image © Travelpixs / Shutterstock.com]

Alternatives To Staying In Kyoto

If all accommodation is sold out in Kyoto during cherry blossom season, don’t despair:

Osaka has a lot of hotels and it’s less than 15 minutes from Osaka to Kyoto by shinkansen (bullet train) and about 45 minutes by regular express train.
Check availability and pricing for hotels in Osaka on Agoda.com.

Likewise, even Nagoya is within striking distance if you’re willing to take the shinkansen (no sweat if you’ve got a Japan Rail Pass).
Check availability and pricing for hotels in Nagoya on Agoda.com.

Nara would be another option.
Check availability and pricing for hotels in Nara on Agoda.com.

See my guide to Where To Stay If Kyoto Is Fully Booked for more suggestions and info.

Kyoto Cherry Blossoms Guide

• When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Kyoto?
• Where Is The Best Place To See The Cherry Blossoms In Kyoto?
• Where To Stay In Cherry Blossom Season In Kyoto
• Where To Stay If Kyoto Is Fully Booked
• Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms Away From The Crowds
• Best Places For A Cherry Blossom Viewing Party (Hanami Party) In Kyoto

Kyoto Cherry Blossom Itineraries

• Kyoto 2-Day Cherry Blossom Itinerary
• Kyoto One-Day Cherry Blossom Off-The-Beaten-Track Itinerary
• Kyoto Evening Cherry Blossom Itinerary
• Kyoto Romantic Cherry Blossom Itinerary

Cherry Blossoms In Other Japanese Cities

• Japan Cherry Blossoms
• Hiroshima and Miyajima Cherry Blossoms
• Kanazawa Cherry Blossoms
• Kobe Cherry Blossoms
• Nara Cherry Blossoms
• Takayama Cherry Blossoms

Visiting Tokyo or Osaka?

See my guides to viewing cherry blossoms in Tokyo and the best Osaka cherry blossom spots too.

You can check availability of Kyoto hotels during cherry blossom season (mid-March to mid-April) on Agoda.com

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