Where to Stay in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Good for

• Luxury travelers
• Couples

Couples and travelers who want a quiet, high-end stay right by the river and Tenryu-ji, with Arashiyama's bamboo grove a short walk away.

Why we like it

• Sits directly beside the Hozu River, next to Tenryu-ji temple and its Sogenchi Pond garden
• Built partly around a preserved Meiji-era villa, giving the property a genuine sense of history
• Traditional Japanese garden grounds set it apart from Arashiyama's more standard hotels
• A short walk from the bamboo grove, best visited before the mid-morning crowds arrive

What to know

• Priced at the top of the Arashiyama market, in keeping with its five-star positioning

Good for

• Families
• Couples

Families and couples who want a comfortable, well-designed base in Arashiyama with the flexibility of tatami-style family rooms.

Why we like it

• Family rooms combine a tatami area with standard beds, useful for families traveling with kids
• A comfortable walk from the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, and the Togetsukyo Bridge
• Modern, well-kept rooms that stand out from Arashiyama's older, smaller guesthouses
• Quieter once day-trip crowds head back toward central Kyoto in the evening

Good for

• First-time visitors
• Couples

First-time visitors and couples who want a comfortable, well-located base in Arashiyama without paying for a riverside luxury address.

Why we like it

• A short walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station, useful for train connections toward central Kyoto
• Priced well under Arashiyama's riverside hotels while still keeping the district's sights walkable
• Clean, modern rooms that cover the essentials without unnecessary extras
• A quieter base once the day-trip crowds head back toward central Kyoto in the evening

What to know

• It's a 15-20 minute walk from the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, farther than Arashiyama's riverside hotels