Hoshinoya Kyoto
Arrive by boat. Stay in a riverside ryokan reborn.
Hoshinoya Kyoto can only be reached by boat — a wooden craft that carries guests up the Oi River from the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. The approach is deliberate: the river, the forested banks, and the absence of roads force a transition from city to something older. The property is a restored century-old ryokan built into the hillside above the river. Rooms blend traditional tatami and fusuma screens with modern comforts, and each opens to views of the river gorge or the maple-covered mountainside. The kaiseki dinner, served in-room or in the main dining hall, changes entirely with each season. What makes Hoshinoya distinct from other ryokan experiences is the editorial eye — each detail is considered without being precious. The incense programme, the seasonal library, the morning stretch sessions by the river. It's hospitality designed for guests who notice.
Good to know
- Arrival by private boat on the Oi River
- Restored century-old hillside ryokan
- Seasonal kaiseki changed entirely each season
- Morning stretch sessions by the river
- Rooms overlooking the Arashiyama gorge
Location
- 11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 616-0007
- Nearest station: Kyoto Station
- From Tokyo: ca 2 h 15 min med shinkansen
- Best time to visit: Morning