Hoshinoya Kyoto, managed by Japan's premier resort operation company, opened for business in 2009. The wooden building from over 100 years ago was renovated in the style of a "waterfront residence" and reborn with a new, more polished atmosphere.

The reason the inn receives such approval from international visitors is for its natural environment, quietness, out-of-the-ordinary setting, and its sense of unique Kyoto and Japanese culture.

The staff also approaches customer service with a spirit of "omotenashi" hospitality, and since most employees speak English, stayers should experience no inconveniences. Staff proficient in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish are also available.

A boat will transport you to the other-worldly environment that is Hoshinoya. Board the boat at the foot of Togetsu-kyo Bridge and take a relaxing 15-minute ride up the Katsura River.

During the leisurely cruise, the sights of cherry blossoms in the spring, fresh greenery in the summer, colorful leaves in fall, and snowfall in winter will delight your eyes.

Getting to see the scenery that you can only view from aboard a boat is yet another part of the other-worldly experience. The hospitality of Hoshinoya Kyoto has already begun. Excitement and expectation for your stay at the inn will grow by the minute.

Guests receive an explanation of how to check in before boarding the boat, so once you reach the inn, you can continue straight to your room, a nice perk for tired travelers who wish to relax right away.

All of the guest rooms have views of the river, and the 25 rooms come in 5 types. Guest rooms are dispersed around the premises, and you will pass through a garden to get there. As one example, room number 120 is equipped with both a Japanese-style room and a Western-style room.

When you open the sliding door and go inside, you will be greeted by the scent of a sachet of incense; a tradition continued in Kyoto since the Edo period. You may also notice that the lights in the room are kept low. Minimum illumination is used at the inn to allow guests to be surrounded by the beauty of natural light.

The lights and shadows of the room may bring to mind Japanese author Junichiro Tanizaki's essay "In Praise of Shadows" for some guests.

When you walk into guest room 120's Japanese-style room, the first thing you will see is the large window constructed to face the river. The window frame borders the scenery, just like a picture frame.

Set in front of the window is a low, tatami room sofa, calculated to be at the same height as if you were kneeling. Prepare to be fascinated by the scenery you can see at the unique low eye level of a Japanese room as you simply relax and gaze out the window. Many travelers reportedly take this very opportunity.

Also, be sure to notice the Japanese room's fusuma, the fixture used to partition the room. Kyoto karakami, high-quality printing paper, is used on the fusuma, and it glitters delicately when the light hits it, making the pattern stand out in 3-D.

This karakami is also used on the bed headboard in the bedroom, so you can begin and end each day with a piece of profound Kyoto culture.

Let's delve into yet another of Hoshinoya Kyoto's attractions - the "Water Garden." The Water Garden consists of two waterfalls and a lake, and you will pass through it on your way to the guest rooms. Here you can sit and enjoy your favorite coffee, herbal tea, or alcoholic beverage. Use the space however you like, whether it's to listen to the sound of the waterfalls or mingle with the inn employees. Every day beginning at 3:00 PM, there is a musical performance played on original derivatives of traditional Buddhist instruments.

The "Inner Garden" is a garden which depicts a flowing river using roofing tiles and white gravel. The garden, modeled after a traditional Japanese rock garden, is hugely popular with international guests, who remark on the garden's feeling of "zen." In the fall, there are nodate, or outdoor tea ceremonies, performed underneath the 300-400-year-old maple trees. Guests will surely be able to sense the charm and elegance of Japanese culture in the inn's gardens.

The "Salon & Bar Kura," located in what once used to be a warehouse and utilizing the warehouse's original crossbeams and windows, is a space in which you can feel a unique Japanese aura. Here you can enjoy a free welcome drink and dessert.

Among the desserts are some sweets made by Kyoto's old, traditional sweet shops, especially for this hotel. You can get a sense of the traditional cooking arts utilizing seasonal ingredients. At night, the space operates as a bar where you can enjoy Japanese whiskey.

In the "Library Lounge" adjacent to the inn's front desk, there are books about Kyoto, so it may be nice to do some research here while you enjoy your complimentary snack and drink.

One other recommended spot to visit is the "Aerial Tea Room," built on the deck adjoining the lounge. It's easy to lose track of time as a pleasant breeze blows by while you gaze down at the Katsura River below, the majestic mountains before you, and the train running through the center of the mountains.

One of the best parts of traveling is the food. The dinner served in the inn's dining hall is a traditional Japanese course meal that is a fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine. The head chef is Ichiro Kubota, who was born into a family running a kappo Japanese traditional cooking style restaurant in Gion, Kyoto.

After culinary training in Japan and France, he worked as the executive chef of London's "Umu" restaurant, where his culinary talents earned him a Michelin star rating in just 4 months. You'll experience the profoundness of Japanese cuisine by tasting Kubota's cooking.

Breakfast is eaten in your room, and if you choose the Japanese-style breakfast, you can enjoy a popular vegetable hot pot meal. Experiencing the deliciousness of Kyoto's seasonal vegetables while enjoying the seasonal landscape will most certainly be a fulfilling part of your trip.

There are also many programs available to help you make your stay at the inn meaningful and valuable. Some programs, like the "Introduction to Incense Smelling" and the early morning "Zen Meditation" at a Zen temple, allow you to connect with Japanese culture casually, so why not try participating in one that matches your interests?

Your time at Hoshinoya Kyoto will conclude with a boat ride back to the original boarding area. In the lounge area, you can purchase items from the inn, such as incense, sweets, and pajamas, as souvenirs.

Bring back a memory of your time in Kyoto and look forward to the day you can experience the charm of the inn once again.

Text by:word

We also recommend these restaurants in the Arashiyama area. Save time and hassle - book your table online today!