Kyoto City Area Guide

Kyoto City is renowned as Japan’s center of history and culture, and is one of the major cities in the Kansai region with a population of about 1.4 million. As Japan’s ancient capital for over 1,200 years, Kyoto is home to numerous shrines, temples, and traditional streetscapes. It also hosts many prestigious educational institutions such as Kyoto University, attracting students and researchers from around the world. While tourism is a major industry, with over 50 million visitors annually, Kyoto also offers a well-developed living environment where tradition and modern conveniences coexist. The city has an extensive subway and bus network and offers easy access to Osaka and Kobe. With its safe environment, rich food culture, and traditional Japanese lifestyle, Kyoto is also a popular place for foreign residents.

Kyoto City Key Data

Area
827.83 km²
Population
1,431,969
Population Density
1,771 people / km²
Foreign Residents
61,022
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Major Stations and Access to Key Areas

Major Train Stations in Kyoto City

  • Kyoto Station (JR Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Tokaido Main Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line, Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line)
  • Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
  • Shijo Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line)
  • Karasuma Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)

Average Travel Time from Major Stations to Key Destinations

Departure Station Kyoto Station Kawaramachi Station Karasuma/Shijo Station Osaka Station Shin-Osaka Station Namba Station Tokyo Station
Kyoto Station - About 5 min About 7 min About 30 min About 15 min About 45 min About 2 hr 20 min
Kawaramachi Station About 5 min - About 2 min About 40 min About 25 min About 55 min About 2 hr 30 min
Karasuma/Shijo Station About 7 min About 2 min - About 38 min About 23 min About 50 min About 2 hr 25 min
Osaka Station About 30 min About 40 min About 38 min - About 5 min About 10 min About 2 hr 40 min
Shin-Osaka Station About 15 min About 25 min About 23 min About 5 min - About 15 min About 2 hr 30 min
Namba Station About 45 min About 55 min About 50 min About 10 min About 15 min - About 2 hr 35 min
Tokyo Station About 2 hr 20 min About 2 hr 30 min About 2 hr 25 min About 2 hr 40 min About 2 hr 30 min About 2 hr 35 min -

Living Convenience for Foreign Residents

International Schools

  • Kyoto International School (Kita Ward): Offers education from kindergarten to middle school, adopting the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
  • Douglass International School (Sakyo Ward): Provides English-based education to a multinational student body.

Medical Facilities with Foreign Language Support

  • Kyoto University Hospital (Sakyo Ward): Equipped with an international medical department to support foreign patients.
  • Takeda Hospital (Shimogyo Ward): Features English-speaking doctors and a strong record of accommodating foreign patients.

Popular Supermarkets and Restaurants Among Foreign Residents

  • Kyoto Yaoichi Honkan (Nakagyo Ward): A shopping mall-style supermarket featuring fresh produce, seafood, rice, prepared foods, and groceries.
  • AEON Mall Kyoto Katsuragawa (Minami Ward): Offers a variety of international grocery stores and restaurants.
  • Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Pontocho Main Branch: A popular specialty restaurant serving Kyoto-style beef cutlet with crispy coating and juicy meat.
  • Sushi Naritaya: A sushi restaurant near Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji Temple, known for its fresh seafood selected by an experienced fish market expert.

Public Support Services for Foreign Residents

  • Kyoto International Community House (Sakyo Ward): Offers living support, visa consultations, and Japanese language learning assistance for foreign residents.

Popular Neighborhoods in Kyoto City

  • Gion / Higashiyama Area: Preserves Kyoto’s traditional townscape and is popular with tourists.
  • Shijo / Karasuma Area: A bustling business district with abundant commercial facilities.
  • Kitayama / Takaragaike Area: Known as a high-end residential area with a quiet living environment.
  • Fushimi Area: A historic area famous for its sake breweries, offering relatively affordable living costs.

Housing Market in Kyoto

Kyoto City is a highly livable urban area where history and modern life blend harmoniously, making it popular among foreign residents. The market for pre-owned condominiums in central Kyoto has shown a rising trend in recent years. For instance, the average sales price in Kamigyo Ward has increased by approximately 22.2% compared to three years ago. Similarly, prices for single-family homes have also been on the rise, with an average increase of about 6.2% across Kyoto Prefecture over the past three years. These data indicate the active real estate market in Kyoto City. In the rental market, a wide range of properties is available, from single-occupancy apartments to family homes, reflecting strong demand. For example, the average rent for a STUDIO type is around ¥59,000, while larger properties such as 3 Bedrooms and above average around ¥148,000 per month, providing abundant options to suit various lifestyles.

Average Rent by Floor Plan

STUDIO 1Bedroom 2Bedrooms 3Bedrooms
Average Rent (JPY/month) ¥59,000 ¥87,000 ¥112,000 ¥148,000

Average Prices for Pre-Owned Homes

Area Apartment (70m²) Single-Family Home (100m²)
Kita Ward¥26,420,000¥29,290,000
Kamigyo Ward¥36,080,000¥36,520,000
Sakyo Ward¥37,280,000¥32,750,000
Nakagyo Ward¥44,960,000¥32,550,000
Higashiyama Ward¥31,010,000¥27,470,000
Fushimi Ward¥19,750,000¥20,860,000