Not only is Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo a convenient hotel close to popular Kyoto destinations, it’s also full of Japanese art!

Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo & Art

Randor Residence accommodations have been popping up all over Japan, and they focus on spacious rooms complete with kitchens and all the facilities a family or group might need to make the most of their trip to Japan. There’s something special, though, about the Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo, which opened in 2023. Built about as close to Nijojo Castle (二条城) as it gets, the building not only neighbors a historic landmark, but also has great access to Kyoto’s famous Kinkakuji Temple (金閣寺), and it’s surrounded by all the sights and sounds of a modern city. Plus, each one of these aspects of Kyoto is reflected in the art on the walls of all the rooms. Staying at Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo is like staying in the world’s most comfortable art gallery – each convenient room a new canvas, all united by one theme: “What is the Kyoto of the future?”

Every room in Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo is brought to life with original art, gorgeous murals and framed prints, depicting what Kyoto means to 20 different Japanese artists. As a city steeped in history, now vibrant and busy with local life and a steady stream of international visitors, it’s no surprise the Kyoto theme was interpreted in 20 very different ways! And starting right from the entrance, the hotel has uniquely Japanese contemporary art there to greet guests as they make their way to the front desk.

From up-and-coming young artists known for their artful paint splatters, to trained illustrators and accomplished calligraphy masters, the wide range of contemporary art complements the comfortable rooms. It’s not hard to imagine taking a break from Kyoto sightseeing to brew a pot of green tea in a Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo hotel room, grab some Japanese snacks from the handy kitchenette refrigerator, and relax on a traditional tatami mat platform while admiring the original murals on the wall.

In one room, graphic lines depict the Japanese weather gods Fujin and Raijin, inspired by the statues found in local Kyoto Sanjusangendo Temple. In another, we can thank Kyoto’s booming cafe culture for a delicious-looking brunch painted across the walls, the perfect view when waking up in a cozy hotel bed. In a third room, adorable little “tsukumogami” (付喪神) mythical spirits are illustrated peaking out of corners and unexpected spaces all around the room. The art elevates the hotel from simple, comfortable accommodations to a unique Kyoto experience!

Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo
521 Nishitakeyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Access: Nijojo-mae Station (Tozai Line), Marutamachi Station (Karasuma Line)
Check-in / Check-out : 16:00 / 10:00
Official Website (en)

Convenient Rooms

Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo is a relatively small hotel made up of large, comfortable rooms, each made to fit one to six people. Aside from the unique art on every wall, the rooms also have slightly varied setups, providing either four single beds or two queens, and either a traditional Japanese tatami mat platform or a sleek sofa bed.

Each room has one and a half bathrooms, meaning there’s one spacious bathroom area set up to accommodate a busy family brushing teeth and showering every morning, plus a whole second toilet!

Rooms with a tatami mat “washitsu” (和室, traditional Japanese room) area offer a chance to experience a little bit of Japanese tradition every night before bed. For extra sleeping space, Japanese futon mattresses are laid out on the tatami platform – Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo uses especially cozy versions of the beds that Japanese people have slept in for centuries. In the morning, the futon mattresses are folded up and stored out of the way, letting guests use the space and lounge on the tatami throughout the day.

For guests who love the tranquil atmosphere of Japanese gardens, two of the rooms have access to peaceful little gardens and outdoor seating. It’s the perfect space to eat dinner and reminisce about the extravagantly simple gardens of nearby Ryoanji Temple (竜安寺).

Even in rooms without a garden, though, there are great places to make and eat a family dinner or pull together a dinner party with friends! For groups traveling with picky eaters, or anyone who just wants a night in, the facilities of Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo make it easy and stress-free to whip up a quick breakfast or a comforting meal of home cooking.

Each room has a little kitchenette, complete with a stove, a microwave, a practical refrigerator, a real kitchen sink, and all the pots, plates, and utensils a cook might need. The large supermarket down the street is open late every night, so grabbing some ingredients and making a meal is actually pretty simple.

Of course, for a really quick dinner, it’s always fun to explore the supermarket’s frozen food section while traveling. It’s easy to throw a few items in the microwave to enjoy in your room!

In the hotel’s shared space, families with messy kids might be especially relieved at the sight of a laundry room! But being able to throw some things in the wash and have clean clothes for the next day is great for travelers of all ages, especially when embarking on a multi-week adventure through Japan. (Here at Japankuru we always recommend packing light and doing laundry during the trip.) Best of all? The laundry room at Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo is free to use – a rare luxury in Japan!

Enjoying Kyoto

Ready to book a room and start planning a trip to Kyoto? Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo is a convenient home base for visiting some of the city’s most popular destinations!

Nijojo Castle (二条城)

Nijojo Castle, the namesake of the nearby Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo hotel, has been standing for over 400 years. Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the three unifiers of Japan and a huge figure in Japanese history, the castle and the palace buildings within its walls have been the setting for some of the most important moments in Japanese history. Nowadays visitors can wander the grounds, enjoy the traditional gardens, and tour the buildings full of treasured paintings and samurai history.

Nijojo Castle
541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 8:45 – 17:00 (hours may vary, check here)
Admission: (for the palace & garden) adults 1,300 yen | students 400 yen | children 300 yen
Official Website (en)

Kinkakuji Temple (金閣寺)

Officially named Rokuonji, the temple most often called Kinkakuji (or Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion) is famous for the shining golden walls of its pagoda, which reflect onto the shimmering surface of the surrounding waters. It’s not just a pretty face, though – the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a long history stretching back past its official inception in the 15th century.

Kinkakuji Temple
1 Kinkakujicho, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Admission: adults 500 yen | children 300 yen
Official Website (en)

Ryoanji Temple (竜安寺)

Ryoanji Temple is famous for its gardens, and its rock garden is especially beloved (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in and of itself). Full of secrets and meant to inspire contemplation, it’s an excellent place to take a breather and appreciate the beauty of Kyoto. Ryoanji Temple is also an easy walk away from Kinkakuji Temple, which is conveniently accessible from Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo, making the two temples a great way to spend a morning.

Ryoanji Temple
13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto
Hours:
　Mar ~ Nov: 8:00 – 17:00
　Dec ~ Feb: 8:30 – 16:30
Admission: adults 600 yen | students 500 yen | children 300 yen
Official Website (en)

On a quiet side street, but steps away from historic Kyoto landmarks, the apartment-style rooms of Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo are an undeniably convenient choice for families and groups. And art lovers of all ages shouldn’t miss the chance to spend their time in Kyoto surrounded by original pieces of Japanese contemporary art, either! Travelers looking for a Kyoto hotel with brand-new facilities will find their home away from home at Randor Residence Kyoto Nijojo.

Before your trip to Kyoto, read up on Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto’s traditional crafts, and the city’s cafe culture. For more information on traveling in Japan’s ancient capital, check out the related articles below, and chat with the Japankuru team about your travel plans on our Twitter (X), Instagram, and Facebook!