Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo Review – Location & Amenities

This review of the Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo examines its location, amenities, and guest experience to help you decide if it matches your needs for a stay in central Kyoto. The hotel opened in March 2022 and sits in the Shimogyo Ward, roughly a 15-minute taxi ride from Kyoto Station (Booking.com). We have analyzed verified facts from booking platforms, review sites, and property listings to provide a clear, evidence-based assessment.

Last checked: 2026-09-10

Distance to Shijo Karasuma Station: 7-minute walk · Distance to Nishiki Market: 15-minute walk · Free WiFi: Yes · On-site restaurant: Yes · Opened: March 2022 · Neighborhood: Shimogyo Ward, central Kyoto

Key facts about Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo

How far is Richmond Hotel Kyoto from Kyoto Station?

The hotel is located at 50 Kasabokocho in Shimogyo Ward, about 1,950 feet from central Kyoto. The most direct route from Kyoto Station is a 15-minute taxi ride or approximately 20 minutes via the Karasuma subway line to Shijo Station, followed by a 7-minute walk.

Walking distance to Shijo Karasuma Station

Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers confirm the hotel is a less-than-10-minute walk to Shijo Karasuma Station, placing it on the quieter eastern edge of the Shijo district. One guest noted it takes “less than 10 minutes to walk to Shijo central where Daimaru is,” while another described the hotel as “on the quieter east side of Shijo and closer to Hankyu Karasuma Station.”

Public transport options from Kyoto Station

From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma subway line northbound to Shijo Station (about 4 stops, roughly 10 minutes). From Shijo Station, the hotel is a 7-minute walk east. Taxis are readily available outside Kyoto Station and typically cost between JPY 1,000 and JPY 1,500 depending on traffic.

The bottom line: The hotel is well-connected to Kyoto Station via a short taxi or subway ride, and its position on the quieter edge of Shijo offers a balance of accessibility and calm.

Is breakfast included at Richmond Hotel Kyoto Shijo?

Breakfast is not included in the standard room rate. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast at its on-site restaurant, available daily from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM for a surcharge.

Breakfast options at the hotel restaurant

The buffet costs JPY 3,850 for adults and JPY 1,900 for children. The hotel mentions that reservations are recommended for the breakfast buffet, though booking platforms do not consistently specify whether walk-ins are accommodated.

Happy hour and complimentary sweets

An interesting alternative to the paid breakfast: the hotel offers complimentary drinks (non-alcoholic) to guests from 1 PM to 8 PM daily at the breakfast area, along with occasional sweets during the afternoon. This arrangement, noted by TripAdvisor reviewers, means budget-conscious travelers can skip the paid breakfast and still enjoy hot drinks and pastries in the lobby.

The trade-off: Paying for the buffet breakfast can add JPY 3,850 per adult per morning, but the complimentary drink-and-snack service may reduce that need.

Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo location

The hotel sits in Shimogyo Ward, the central district of Kyoto that houses major commercial streets, transport hubs, and cultural landmarks. Its address at 50 Kasabokocho places it within a 15-minute walk of both Shijo Street and Nishiki Market.

Neighborhood: Shimogyo Ward

Shimogyo Ward is one of Kyoto’s most convenient neighborhoods for visitors, offering direct subway access, department stores like Daimaru and Takashimaya, and hundreds of restaurants along Shijo Street. The hotel is on the quieter eastern edge, a block from the main thoroughfare.

Nearby attractions: Nishiki Market, Shijo Street, Nijō Castle

• Nishiki Market (15-minute walk): Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this covered market has food stalls, souvenir shops, and small restaurants.
• Nijō Castle (25-minute walk or 10-minute bus): A UNESCO World Heritage site with ornate interiors and gardens.
• Pontocho Alley (15-minute walk): A narrow, atmospheric dining street along the Kamo River.

Why this matters: The location combines central convenience with a slightly quieter setting than the busiest stretch of Shijo, which reviewers consistently describe as a net positive.

What is the best area to stay in Kyoto for tourists?

Kyoto’s visitor districts each offer distinct advantages. The right choice depends on your priorities for transit, atmosphere, and access to attractions. Here, the Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo anchors the Shijo/Karasuma area, but other neighborhoods serve different traveler profiles.

Shijo and downtown Kyoto

Shijo Street is the historic commercial spine of Kyoto, lined with department stores, cafes, and theaters. Staying in this area — as the Richmond Hotel does — puts you within walking distance of Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and multiple subway lines. This area is best for first-time visitors who want convenience and variety.

Higashiyama and Gion

This district features traditional wooden buildings, geisha sightings, and a quieter, more picturesque atmosphere. It is about 20–25 minutes on foot from Shijo. Gion’s narrow streets and historic teahouses offer a more immersive cultural experience but fewer restaurant options and longer walks to transit.

Kyoto Station area

The area immediately around Kyoto Station is ideal for travelers prioritizing rail access, especially those making day trips to Osaka, Nara, or Uji. It has the largest concentration of hotels and direct bus links to major temples but lacks the character of Shijo or Gion.

“The hotel has a clean zen-like modern look.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer describing the Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo

The pattern: The Shijo/Karasuma area offers the best balance of transit access, dining variety, and walkability for most first-time visitors, while Gion and the Station area serve niche priorities like atmosphere or rail connectivity.

Pros and cons of Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo

Room and property specifications

These details are compiled from Japan Travel by NAVITIME and multiple booking platforms.

Pricing and value

Exact room rates fluctuate based on season, booking platform, and lead time, but the property generally positions itself in the mid-range to upper-mid-range category for Kyoto hotels. Based on historical data from Booking.com and Expedia, typical nightly rates range from JPY 8,000–15,000 for a Standard Double in low season, climbing to JPY 20,000–30,000 during peak periods (sakura season in April, autumn foliage in November).

The biggest cost variable is breakfast: at JPY 3,850 per adult per morning, a two-night stay for two adults adds JPY 15,400 to the bill if you opt for the buffet each morning. Budget-conscious travelers can offset this using the complimentary drink service and nearby convenience stores like FamilyMart or 7-Eleven (both within a 3-minute walk per TripAdvisor reviews).

Getting there and getting around

The Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo is accessible by multiple transport modes:

• From Kansai International Airport (KIX): Take the JR Haruka limited express to Kyoto Station (~75 minutes, JPY 2,850), then a 15-minute taxi or 20-minute subway ride to Shijo Station.
• From Itami Airport (ITM): Take the airport limousine bus to Kyoto Station (~55 minutes, JPY 1,380), then follow the same route.
• From Kyoto Station: 15-minute taxi or 20-minute subway (Karasuma Line to Shijo Station, 7-minute walk).
• By subway: Shijo Karasuma Station (Karasuma Line) is a 7-minute walk; Hankyu Karasuma Station (Hankyu Line connecting to Osaka) is 6 minutes.

Alternative hotels near Shijo/Karasuma

If Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo is unavailable or does not quite match your needs, the following properties in the same area offer different trade-offs in price, style, or amenities:

Note: Rate ranges are approximate and based on data from major booking platforms.