Karasuma

Kyoto
Central Kyoto
Experience sensory delights at the Kitchen of Kyoto, shop for souvenirs, take an art class and visit a sacred temple in this central neighborhood.

Spend a day in the area around Karasuma station for insights into Kyoto’s wonderful art, culinary and retail attractions. Food stalls and gift shops line the streets and alleys of the colorful shopping districts. Museums celebrate everything from local history to crafts and kaleidoscopes. Visit Karasuma to also see a centuries-old Buddhist shrine.

Established as a fish market in the early 1300s, today the bustling Nishiki Market presents a feast of authentic Japanese flavors. Sample delicacies, such as dried seafood, octopus skewers, soy ice cream and yuba (tofu skin) at hundreds of restaurants. Observe bartering battles and shop for knives and culinary utensils. The combination of food locales and kitchenware stores has earned the market the nickname Kyoto’s Kitchen.

Close to the market, the covered arcades of Shinkyogoku Shopping Street and Teramachi Shopping Street are among Kyoto’s most popular shopping areas. Purchase candy, footwear, slogan T-shirts, yukatas and kimonos on Shinkyogoku. Teramachi has more of the same in addition to bookstores, galleries and religious gift shops. The name Teramachi translates to Temple Town and refers to the relocation of several temples here in the 1500s by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Journey through the ages of Japanese arts and crafts and see a replica of an Edo-era street at the Museum of Kyoto. The Kaleidoscope Museum features a fascinating collection of kaleidoscopes and a make-your-own exhibit. Expositions by resident artists, concerts and contemporary dance performances take place at Kyoto Art Center. Peruse displays of Japanese crafts and sign up for workshops at the Gallery of Kyoto Traditional Arts & Crafts.

Find serenity at the 16th-century Bukkōji Temple, known locally as the Temple of the Buddha’s Light. It features an impressive collection of prayer halls and woodcarvings. Another interesting temple is Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine, located inside Nishiki Market.

The Karasuma area is on the border of Kyoto’s central Nakagyo and Shimogyo wards. Get here by taking the train to Karasuma station, from where most attractions are within a 10-minute walk.


Popular places to visit

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Karasuma Hotel Deals

Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
3 out of 5
396, Gojokarasuma, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥11,421 per night from Apr 26 to Apr 27
¥11,421
per night
Apr 26 - Apr 27
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (750 reviews)
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Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥24,019 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥24,019
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,019 reviews)
"Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing Cross Hotel. I'm always worried about choosing hotels - that the reviews are inaccurate etc. Not with the Cross! Front staff and check in - remarkable. Breakfast buffet - out of this world. Rooms - so clean, so modern, so chic. Bathrooms - fantastic. ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Cross Hotel Kyoto
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
3.5 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥18,267 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥18,267
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (947 reviews)
"The hotel was in a great location. Bed was not the most comfortable."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
3 out of 5
Shijo-Dori, Fuya, Nishihairu, Tachiuri, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥14,000 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
¥14,000
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (672 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
sequence KYOTO GOJO
sequence KYOTO GOJO
4 out of 5
409 Gojokarasumacho Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥16,113 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
¥16,113
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (253 reviews)
"Best hotel I’ve ever stayed at!! Cleanest too!"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

sequence KYOTO GOJO
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
4 out of 5
707-1 Myodenji-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Nishinotoin St, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥12,553 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥12,553
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"/"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2024

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Karasuma

Nijo Castle showing a park and a pond

Central Kyoto

4.5/5(1,806 area reviews)

Central Kyoto is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. See more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station.

Central Kyoto
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(52 area reviews)

Travelers love Nakagyo Ward for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street.

Nakagyo Ward
Gion which includes cycling, street scenes and night scenes

Gion

5/5(208 area reviews)

Unique features of Gion include the monuments and shopping. Make a stop by Yasaka Shrine or Kyoto Gion Lamp Museum while you're exploring the area.

Gion
Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kiyomizu Temple and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Higashiyama Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Higashiyama Station or Sanjo Keihan Station.

Higashiyama Ward
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka which includes street scenes and a small town or village as well as a large group of people

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

5/5(17 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the gardens and monuments in Sannenzaka Ninenzaka. You might want to make time for a stop at Kiyomizu Temple or Three-Year Slope.

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
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Higashikujo Nishisannocho

5/5(35 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Higashikujo Nishisannocho, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market.

Higashikujo Nishisannocho


Karasuma