Where to Stay in Kyoto (Kyoto): The Ritz-Carlton by the Kamo River, and a Walk to Ippodo Tea
Where you stay in Kyoto (Kyoto) shapes your days: the city is spread out, buses get crowded, and the main sights sit in different directions. This guide gives a short overview of the areas, then covers The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Kyoto), a Marriott Bonvoy hotel where I have stayed, and a short walk from it to the main store of Ippodo Tea. Facts come from the official pages; the "My visit" notes are my own experience.
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- Three common bases: around Kyoto Station, downtown, or near Gion (Kyoto)
- The Ritz-Carlton sits on the Kamo River, near Kyoto City Hall Station
- Ippodo Tea's main store is close enough to walk to
- Member benefits at The Ritz-Carlton differ from other Marriott brands
Which area to stay in
- Around Kyoto Station: the shinkansen and the airport trains stop here, so it's easy for arriving and leaving with luggage.
- Downtown (Karasuma, Kawaramachi and Oike): shops, restaurants and several subway and train lines. The Ritz-Carlton is at the north-east edge of this area, by the river.
- Near Gion (Kyoto) and Higashiyama: close to the old streets, but busy in the daytime. Please read the Gion (Kyoto) photo rules before you go.
Kyoto (Kyoto) charges an accommodation tax on every night you stay: see the accommodation tax in Kyoto (Kyoto) for the current rates.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Kyoto)
The hotel's official page gives its address as Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku, on the bank of the Kamo River by Nijo-Ohashi bridge. The nearest stations are Kyoto City Hall Station on the Tozai subway line and Sanjo Station on the Keihan line.
- Check-in: the hotel says check-in is done over traditional Japanese tea.
- Dining: La Locanda (Italian, also the breakfast restaurant, 7:00 to 10:30), Japanese restaurants under the Mizuki name, The Lobby Lounge, The Bar and a PIERRE HERMÉ PARIS boutique (official dining page).
- Pool: an indoor pool, open 6:30 to 22:00 (official page).
Good to know: Marriott's program terms treat The Ritz-Carlton differently from other brands for some elite benefits, such as the welcome gift and lounge access. If breakfast matters to your plans, check what your membership level and your rate include when you book.
Who it suits: travelers who want a calm base by the river, with downtown and the old streets both within reach.
My visit
As you would expect from The Ritz-Carlton, the hospitality is wonderful. At check-in they served tea: hojicha from Ippodo. As a Platinum Elite member, breakfast was free for me, and the Pierre Hermé bread served at breakfast was delicious too. Benefits can differ by hotel and by rate, so please check yours.
The Ippodo store is within walking distance of the hotel, so you can walk over and buy the tea yourself. Antique shops line the way, which makes it a pleasant walk.
Ippodo Tea's main store
Ippodo is a Kyoto (Kyoto) tea shop. Its official store page (checked October 5, 2026) gives:
- Where: on Teramachi-dori just north of Nijo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, about 5 minutes on foot from the Kamo River.
- Station: about 5 minutes on foot from Exit 11 of Kyoto City Hall Station (Tozai Line).
- Hours: 10:00 to 17:00, with the Kaboku tearoom inside (last order 16:30). Closed on the second Wednesday of each month.
Tea makes a light, easy gift to carry home: see souvenirs from Japan for what you can bring back.
Marriott Bonvoy member benefits
On its Platinum Elite page (checked October 5, 2026), Marriott lists a welcome gift on arrival (points, a breakfast offering or an amenity, varying by brand), lounge access with breakfast at brands that have lounges, and 4 p.m. late checkout. What applies at The Ritz-Carlton is set out in the program terms, and it isn't the same as at Marriott's other brands, so ask the hotel what you will get.
Before you book
- Pick the area that matches your plans: Kyoto Station for trains, downtown for food and shops.
- Budget for the city's accommodation tax per person, per night.
- Check what breakfast and benefits your rate includes.
- Check Ippodo's opening days if you plan to walk over.
Also nearby: Nishiki Market and eating while walking. Going on to Osaka (Osaka)? See where I stayed in Osaka (Osaka). More on our Kyoto (Kyoto) page.
Last reviewed: October 5, 2026. Hours, facilities and member benefits change; please confirm on the official pages below before you book.
