Arashiyama is located on the western edge of Kyoto City, with gorgeous scenic landscapes on display every season. About 100 years ago, there were only 2-3 hot spring inns in the area. But after a new spring source was discovered in 2004, the number of bath facilities has since increased.

The water quality is that of a simple alkalescent hot spring, characterized by a still, soft texture. A soak in these springs is also said to aid in several health conditions, including neuralgia, muscle, and joint pains, bruises, chronic digestive issues, cold sensitivity, and fatigue.

From Kyoto (and Tokyo area)
・From JR Kyoto Station, take Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (approx. 16 min). From there, it's about 20 minutes on foot.
・From Kyoto Municipal Subway Kyoto Station, take Karasuma Line (approx. 4 min) to Shijo Station, and transfer to Hankyu Line.
・From Hankyu Karasuma Station, take Kyoto Line to Katsura Station (approx. 8 min), and transfer to Arashiyama Line to Hankyu Arashiyama Station (approx. 7 min). It's a short walk from there.

From Osaka
・From Hankyu Umeda Station, take Kyoto Line via Katsura Station to the Arashiyama Line Arashiyama Station (approx. 47 min). It's a short walk from there.

From Kyoto (and Tokyo area)
・Take Meishin Expressway Kyoto South IC via National Route 1 and National Route 171 (approx. 40 min)

From Osaka
・Take Kyoto Jukan Expressway Kutsukake IC via Route 9 (approx. 25 min)

Arashiyama is so close to the mountains, you'll be able to watch the leaves change colors with every season. Spring brings lovely cherry blossoms to Nakanoshima Park on the southwest side of Togetsukyo Bridge. Many people flock to see them during sakura season!

In the summer, you can watch the cormorants fishing for their meals from the pleasure boat that sets sail from north of Togetsukyo Bridge.

Autumn dyes the mountains in delightful shades of red and yellow, and some temples and shrines in the Arashiyama area even hold nighttime illuminations. (Check our autumn foliage forecast for details before heading out!)

And while tourism may dwindle in the winter, that makes it the ideal time to experience the still, quiet Arashiyama atmosphere.

There's much to see and do in Arashiyama. But one of the first places you'll want to visit is the Togetsukyo Bridge. Grab your camera and aim toward the mountain from the downstream side of the bridge. Now that's Japanese scenery!

Then, take the road from the north side of Togetsukyo to Randen Arashiyama Station. It's lined with souvenir shops and restaurants you'll definitely want to check out on your way to Tenryu-ji Temple, the registered World Heritage Site that lies just beyond.

Visit the scenic Japanese gardens, or rent a bicycle for a ride around the Sagano area and the Arashiyama bamboo forest! (However, be sure to check out the sightseeing routes in advance to avoid getting lost!)

Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Kadensho is a Japanese inn right before Hankyu Arashiyama Station. You'll love the delicious food and the traditional Kyoto vibe. There's even an authentic Japanese tea room called Josuian, near the 1F waiting room.

After checking in, you can select a yukata and obi of your choice. Couples can match outfits by choosing a pair with matching, traditional designs!

Rooms come in three styles. Kyo Machiya is a Western-style room designed in the image of a townhouse, with beautiful screens and lattice frames. Kyo-wafu is a relaxing Japanese-style room, and Kyo-modern is a more Western take on the Kyoto atmosphere.

There are nine types of rooms in all, differing by floor plan. Whether traveling with friends and family or alone, you'll be sure to find the perfect space to accommodate your trip!

The large, indoor public bath is a stone bath called 'Heian-no-Yu.' There's also a medicinal, open-air bath surrounded by rocks.

You can also enjoy five types of private baths at no additional charge, each ranging in style and type: the barrel steam bath, 'Kiri-no-Yu,' the soothing, aromatic cypress bath, 'Musou-no-Yu,' the open-air radium bath, 'Akane-no-Yu,' the open-air carbonated bath, 'Takeniwa-no-Yu,' the open-air silk microbubble bath, 'Kinu-no-Yu.'

However, note that there is no reservation system in place, so please check that the 'bath in progress' light is off before heading in. Also note that, unfortunately, guests with tattoos are not permitted in the public baths but may freely enjoy the private baths.

For dinner, dine at the hotel's food alley, Kitayama Yusui, which happily serves all-you-can-eat homemade obanzai (Kyoto-style side dishes) and tempura. Sit at the window seats and look out at the courtyard, or dine in peace in the semi-private or completely private rooms.

After dinner, walk off the meal with a stroll around the area. And if the hunger sets in again later on, grab a free yonaki soba (late-night ramen)! For breakfast, start the day on a healthy note with a Japanese set meal that includes even more Kyoto obanzai.

(Note that this facility only supports Japanese language).

Arashiyama Onsen Saishiki no Yado Hanaikada is an inn south of Togetsukyo Bridge. Located right next to Togetsukobashi Bridge, you'll enjoy the picturesque scenery of pleasure boats floating down the stream right before your eyes!

The open-air bath also boasts an incredible view of the Togetsukyo Bridge, Oi River, and Arashiyama landscape, which varies in color with the seasons. A soak in this spring with such a beautiful view is guaranteed to make an unforgettable memory of your trip!

The large communal bath area includes indoor baths for men and women, as well as an open-air bath. Open-air baths Oigawa and Katsuragawa offer views of the sacred mountain, Mt. Atago, towering at 924 meters tall!

Note that men's and women's bathing times alternate, so be sure to check in advance before you go. In general, tattoos are not permitted in the public baths. However, guests with tattoos may reserve a private bath.

Seasonal dishes of local Kyoto vegetables and delicious tofu are served on beautiful tableware, and come in a variety of styles of Japanese cuisine, including kaiseki cuisine and hot pots. There's also a popular day trip plan for Kyoto cuisine and hot springs alone.

Pamphlets are available in English and Chinese, and some indoor signs also include English. They are currently working on adding more basic English support.

Upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge, along the Hozu River, lies Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto, a popular inn that many also visit for its restaurant, teppanyaki, and tea house alone.

A free one-way taxi service to the inn operates from JR Kyoto Station. You can also take a free, one-way rickshaw ride from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, Keifuku Electric Railway Arashiyama Line, and Hankyu Arashiyama Station.

Reception is available 24 hours a day in English, Chinese, and Korean. Room service and concierge services are also available for your comfort.

The inn has 39 modern guest rooms decorated with traditional Japanese beauty. Of these rooms, 17 include their own natural, open-air hot spring. On the 3rd floor are two private, natural hot spring spas, called 'Raku' and 'An.' Both are exclusive to hotel guests. (Reservations required / 45 min limit per person or group / 4,427 yen per person / bathing tax 150 yen per person)

Autumn foliage season lasts from mid-November to early December. At this time, you'll be able to enjoy the colorful Arashiyama scenery from the private garden, the bath, and from some of the popular rooms with a view.

The restaurant, Kyo-Suiran, was renovated from a Meiji Era villa that belonged to a business family. Here, you can indulge in innovative dishes that combine kaiseki and French cuisine, from the luxurious atmosphere of a fancy mansion.

Vegan and vegetarian options, as well as options for people with allergies, may also be arranged, but be sure to consult with them in advance.

Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Togetsutei is a long-established hot spring inn built in 1897. There are two buildings for food and bathing: the riverside building, Hekisenkaku, and the mountainside building, Shuzankaku. All rooms are designed in the traditional Japanese style, with tatami mats and shoji screens, creating an atmospheric space perfect for relaxation.

The Arashiyama-no-ma room bath on the first floor of Shuzankaku is a natural, wood-scented hot spring bath attached to a beautiful courtyard with flowing waters. Take a leisurely soak as you enjoy the garden view through the glass window.

This space was created in response to feedback from guests who wanted to enjoy the springs without having to use the large public bath. Of course, you may still stay in a regular room and soak in the large public baths if you want to! Soothe away your fatigue in the abundant hot waters, regardless of which bath you choose.

Meals are in the traditional Kyoto Kaiseki style. The aesthetics of the inn and the skill of the chefs stand out in these gorgeous gourmets, from the light soup stock and delicious ingredients, to the beautiful, colorful presentations of each dish.

Breakfast includes boiled tofu from a famous local tofu shop. Brochures, building displays, and customer service are available in English.

Head to Nakanoshima from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, which connects to Togetsukyo Bridge. Right in front of Nakanoshima Bridge is the day-trip hot spring facility, 'Fufu-no-Yu,' the perfect spot for a daytime soak followed by a stroll around Arashiyama and Sagano. You may also want to stop by on your way back from sightseeing. The facility is conveniently located a short 3-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station.

The indoor bath area has not only the hot springs, but a dry sauna, a mist sauna, a silk bath, and a cold bath. Relax your body and mind as you soak in these open-air baths while gazing out at the garden. The women's open-air bath area also has a cherry blossom tree. So if you visit during the spring, you can even watch the cherry blossoms as you bathe!

Don't worry about bringing too much of your own stuff. The bath provides rental towels for 200 yen, or you can buy your own for only 100 yen! It also includes plenty of other leisure facilities, including a rest area, a manga corner, a shop, and a hand massage corner.

Please note that guests with visible tattoos and guests who are intoxicated are not permitted in the bath. Also note that the facility is only available in Japanese.

Arashiyama is a wonderful area with so many sights and attractions, one day isn't possibly enough to cover them all! So why not book a hot spring inn, indulge in delicious Kyoto cuisine, and check out the shrines and temples while you're there? Then, after a round of sightseeing, ease your fatigue at a day-trip facility before moving on to round two! No matter where in the world you come from, visitors from all over are bound to find something they love in amongst these little-known, wonderful hot springs!

*Information in article as of October 2022. Please see official websites for the latest updates & information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki