Japan’s Stunning Seasonal Scenery
Looking for the perfect hideaway this holiday season? You will find a magical place resting on the steep banks of the Hozugawa River, tucked away in the color-coated hills of Arashiyama.?A stunning mix of traditional Japanese ryokan and the latest 21st-century architecture, the Hoshinoya Kyoto Hotel is a true jewel in this picturesque oasis. Only accessible by boat, you’ll catch your first glimpse of this magical place amidst the trees high above, red autumn hues boasting the arrival of a new season. Take in the captivating scenery along the quiet river, and then wash gracefully ashore on the banks of a private paradise rich in culture and tradition.
Zen Lifestyle
After you check in, enjoy freshly brewed hot tea with Japanese confectionaries in the garden by the water, or simply take in the enchanting view of the tranquil Ooi River right from your room. Furnished in a contemporary Japanese style with attractive hand-blocked wallpaper, cedar wood, sliding glass doors and large picture windows with superb river views, you are surrounded by the wonders of nature in the comfort of your own quarters. Feel free to relax, slip on a pair of complimentary Japanese slippers and observe the passing foxes, deer and monkeys as the wilderness comes alive right outside your window.
If you really want to relax and indulge, pamper yourself with an in-room massage. Let the experts gently knead away the tension in your body with a relaxing Shiatsu back, neck and shoulder massage, or relieve stress and improve your sleep with an Anma massage that will balance the body and calm irritated nerves.
For those interested in a more thorough treatment, the Zen Sojourn is the perfect internal purification program for balancing the mind, body and internal energy. This one-night and two-day program will increase your fortitude and balance the yin and yang energy forces within you. Based on traditional Chinese medicine in partnership with the time-honored philosophies of Kyoto, the delightful spa offers specialized treatments, medicinal tea, medicinal baths, acupuncture, moxibustion therapy, and shiatsu massages – there is something to meet everyone’s individual needs.
Kyoto Gourmet
Indulgences don’t end there: wine and dine at Hoshinoya Kyoto Dining and treat yourself treat yourself to an authentic Kyoto gourmet experience. Savor seasonal Kyoto ingredients harvested at the beginning and end of each season as you delight in authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Under the influence of Executive Chef Ichiro Kubota, Hoshinoya’s Kaiseki cuisine captures the essence of Kyoto’s culinary tradition, yet incorporates sophisticated cooking techniques and products from abroad. Season to season, Japanese and foreign, Kubota and his team bridge together ingredients and cultures to concoct new flavors and delicate dishes reflecting on each unique season. Hoshinoya offers you the unique opportunity to experience a culinary world with richness and depth that is deeply tied to the history and food culture of Kyoto. Complemented with a selection of aged wines and sakes, you are sure to have an unforgettable dining experience.
Venture to a nearby former villa set amidst the scenery of Arashiyama and you’ll find another decadent dining experience at Arashiyama Kitcho, Japan’s foremost ryotei-style restaurant, serving a rich variety of seasonal kaiseki cuisine. Widely known both in Japan and abroad, its constant evolution of cuisine within the Japanese tradition is confirmed by three Michelin stars.
When you are not pampering your taste buds or indulging your mind and body in Hoshinoya’s comforts and luxuries, there is an array of activities to delight in. Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks as you relax on large, comfortable sofas in the Library Lounge, featuring Internet access and laptops, a wide selection of CDs, along with books and magazines about Kyoto. Spend an afternoon in the Floating Tea Room, an open-air terrace overlooking the Ooi River with breathtaking scenery of Arashiyama. Here you can relax and reflect as you delight in tea, lunch or cocktails throughout the day.
Explore the Countryside
If you’re in the mood to get a little bit closer to the picturesque beauty glowing outside of your private abode, it can be easily arranged. Have a luxurious time afloat the waters of Ooi River on a private boat tour through the fall leaves as you take in the beautiful scenery of the Rankyo Ravine in much the same fashion as did the Kyoto nobility of a thousand years ago. Book a ticket on the Sagano Romantic Train, winding slowly through the famous Hozu Ravine, offering a ravishing view of autumn’s brilliant colors. Spend an afternoon taking a rickshaw tour of the bamboo forests and famous temples as you journey to one of the best spots in all of Arashiyama for lunch, including little known local favorites and restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide.
For a more cultural experience, let Hoshinoya organize an exclusive tour to the famous Kyoto Zen temple where you can learn ancient meditation techniques from Zen monks, follow the worship service in the correct sitting posture, and enjoy a cup of ceremonial matcha green tea. If you’d prefer to simply don a Japanese kimono and go exploring, you can do that too. Walk the streets of old Kyoto after you receive professional instruction on how to wear your stylish kimono, an art that many Japanese no longer learn. And if you’re particularly adventurous and culturally curious, there are 17 World Heritage Sites all within reach from Hoshinoya Kyoto. With so many activities to choose from in such a luxurious and stunning environment, you can be as relaxed or as active as your heart desires.
