Your First Visit to The Westin Miyako Kyoto
The Westin Miyako Kyoto is a five-star hotel situated on the elevated hillside of Higashiyama, one of Kyoto’s most storied districts. Founded in 1890, it is one of Kyoto’s oldest Western-style hotels and operates today as part of Marriott International’s Westin brand. Located just a two-minute walk from Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line, it is easily reached from across the city. The hotel’s banquet facilities include the Mizuho no Ma — Kyoto’s largest banquet hall at 1,650 sqm with a capacity of 2,000 in theater-style — making it a frequent venue for large-scale international conferences, gala dinners, and corporate receptions. Its proximity to Nanzenji Temple and the Okazaki cultural district lends a distinctly Kyoto character to any event held here.
This guide covers practical information including how to get to The Westin Miyako Kyoto, where to stay, dining options nearby, and tips for your visit.
Getting to The Westin Miyako Kyoto
The nearest station is Keage Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line, Exit 2), a two-minute walk away. A complimentary hotel shuttle also runs from Kyoto Station.
From Kansai International Airport (KIX)
- JR Haruka Limited Express + Subway: KIX → (Haruka, approx. 75 min) → Kyoto Station → (Subway Karasuma Line, approx. 3 min) → Karasuma Oike Station → (Subway Tozai Line, approx. 7 min) → Keage Station → 2-minute walk. Total approx. 90 min, approx. ¥3,370 (Haruka reserved ordinary car).
- Limousine Bus + Free Hotel Shuttle: KIX → (Keihan Bus Limousine, approx. 75 min) → Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit → (Free hotel shuttle, approx. 25 min) → Hotel. Total approx. 110 min, approx. ¥2,800 (bus only; shuttle is free).
From Itami Airport (ITM)
- Limousine Bus + Subway: Osaka International Airport (Itami) → (Hankyu Kanko Bus Limousine, approx. 55 min) → Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit → (Subway Karasuma and Tozai Lines, approx. 15 min) → Keage Station → 2-minute walk. Total approx. 75 min, approx. ¥1,940 (bus ¥1,340 + subway approx. ¥600).
- Limousine Bus + Free Hotel Shuttle: Osaka International Airport (Itami) → (Hankyu Kanko Bus Limousine, approx. 55 min) → Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit → (Free hotel shuttle, approx. 25 min) → Hotel. Total approx. 90 min, approx. ¥1,340 (bus only; shuttle is free).
From Nearby Stations
- Keage Station (Subway Tozai Line): Exit 2, through the Nejirimanpo brick tunnel, then approx. 2-minute walk. Step-free and sheltered from rain.
- Kyoto Station (JR, Kintetsu, Subway Karasuma Line): Take the complimentary hotel shuttle from Hachijo Exit, departing at 10 and 40 minutes past each hour, approx. 25 minutes. Particularly useful with heavy luggage or in wet weather.
Venue Quick Reference
- Official name: The Westin Miyako Kyoto
- Address: 1 Awataguchi Kachodcho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0052
- Nearest station: Keage Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line, Exit 2), approx. 2-minute walk
- Official website: https://en.miyakohotels.ne.jp/westinkyoto/
- Free hotel shuttle: Departs Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit at :10 and :40 past each hour (confirm schedule on the official website)
Event Venues at The Westin Miyako Kyoto
The Westin Miyako Kyoto offers a range of banquet and meeting spaces to suit events of different scales.
Mizuho no Ma
Kyoto’s largest banquet hall, located on the 4th floor of the West Wing. With a 7-meter ceiling height and the ability to be partitioned into two to four sections, it accommodates everything from plenary sessions to gala dinners.
| Setup | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Banquet (formal dining) | 1,100 guests |
| Theater | 2,000 guests |
| Schoolroom | 1,200 guests |
| Floor area | 1,650 sqm |
| Ceiling height | 7 m |
Aoi Den
A mid-size banquet room overlooking the Japanese garden registered as a Kyoto City Cultural Asset (Scenic Site). Capacity up to 270 guests. Ideal for events seeking a traditional Japanese ambiance.
Cosmos Hall
A mid-size banquet room accommodating up to 230 guests. Flexible layout options make it suitable for seminars and receptions.
Houou no Ma (Phoenix Room)
Mid-size banquet space for up to 220 guests. Suited to formal meetings, ceremonies, and receptions alike.
Atago no Ma / Hiei no Ma
Two mid-size banquet rooms each accommodating up to 160 guests. Well-suited to parallel breakout sessions or simultaneous smaller events.
Minori no Ma
Accommodates up to 120 guests. A compact mid-size room suitable for board meetings and smaller gatherings.
Grand View
A premium banquet room for up to 70 guests, featuring garden views. Ideal for intimate private functions.
Cocoon
A premium banquet room newly opened in 2020, seating up to 40 guests. Features refined interiors and up-to-date AV facilities.
Circular Room
A distinctive circular room with a formal dining capacity of 30 and a standing reception capacity of 40. Its unique design creates a sense of occasion for small, exclusive gatherings.
For detailed layout diagrams and equipment specifications, see the official website.
Where to Stay
For event attendees, staying within the hotel itself is the most convenient option. Five-star guest rooms ensure a restful night before early-morning sessions, and the hotel’s on-site restaurants and bar are available for post-event dining and informal gatherings.
If you prefer to stay at a nearby property, the following are options in the Higashiyama area.
THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO TOKYU, A Pan Pacific Hotel
A luxury hotel in the Higashiyama district, operated under the Pan Pacific brand and offering high standards of service in one of Kyoto’s most scenic neighborhoods.
Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei
A luxury ryokan-style hotel in the Okazaki district, featuring the French restaurant Nouvelle Époque. Combines refined Western dining with a quintessentially Kyoto atmosphere.
Recommended Restaurants Near The Westin Miyako Kyoto
The Keage, Nanzenji, and Okazaki areas offer a varied dining scene ranging from high-end kaiseki to casual French bistros.
Fine Japanese Cuisine
Kakyo
A reservation-only kaiseki restaurant steps from Nanzenji Temple, offering meticulously crafted seasonal Kyoto cuisine in a tranquil setting. An excellent choice for client entertaining or special occasion dining.
Casual Japanese
Nanzenji Junsei
A historic restaurant founded in the Edo period, set within a garden-enclosed complex adjacent to Nanzenji Temple, specializing in yudofu (tofu hot pot). Approximately a 5-minute walk from Keage Station, and well suited for combining business with a taste of traditional Kyoto culture.
Western Cuisine
Le Rokujian
A casual French bistro in the Okazaki area, popular for both lunch and dinner. A local favorite for relaxed dining after a full day of meetings.
Asian Cuisine
Kyokando
An authentic Korean barbecue restaurant in the Gion district, open late into the night and a practical option for a post-event dinner when other establishments have closed.
Café
COFFEE matsu
A specialty coffee shop directly in front of the hotel, known for its carefully sourced beans and quiet atmosphere. A convenient spot for morning coffee or a mid-session break.
Bar
VIVE LOUNGE KYOTO
A high-end lounge bar in Gion, offering an extensive cocktail menu and a nighttime view of the neighborhood. A refined way to close out an evening after an event.
Tips Before You Visit
The Nejirimanpo Route from Keage Station
Exiting Keage Station at Exit 2, you will immediately find the Nejirimanpo — a short tunnel built with spiraling brickwork dating to the late 19th century. Passing through it leads directly to the hotel approach in approximately two minutes, on a flat, step-free path that remains comfortable in rain.
Use the Free Shuttle When Carrying Luggage
The hotel sits on elevated ground above Keage. If you are traveling with large bags or in wet weather, the complimentary shuttle bus from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit (departing at :10 and :40 past each hour) is the most practical option.
Cherry Blossom Season Brings Significant Crowds
From late March to early April, the Keage Incline attracts large numbers of visitors for cherry blossom viewing, and the surrounding streets become very congested. During this period, avoid city buses in this area and travel directly to Keage Station on the Subway Tozai Line.
Autumn Foliage Season Also Affects Bus Routes
From mid-November to early December, visitor traffic to Nanzenji and Eikan-do surges, causing severe congestion on bus lines around Okazaki and Jingumichi. The Subway Tozai Line to Keage Station is the reliable alternative throughout the foliage season.