As the vibrant greenery of late spring deepens, the anticipation of a Kyoto summer begins to settle over the city. While the lowlands prepare for the rising heat, HOSHINOYA Kyoto invites travelers to look toward the cool, shaded sanctuary of Oku-Arashiyama for the upcoming 2026 summer season with 3 brand new programs. A stay here begins with a private boat ride from Togetsukyo Bridge, winding up the Oi River to a secluded "waterside retreat" that was once the site of Heian-era noble villas. Here, summer is not merely a season to be endured, but a cultural experience to be savored. By weaving together the cooling wisdom of the past with authentic local immersion, HOSHINOYA Kyoto offers a profound connection to the land that sets it worlds apart from conventional luxury hotels.
Program 1: Nouryo (Summer Cooling) Stay in Oku-Arashiyama
Located at the foot of the northern mountains and surrounded by lush greenery and flowing streams, HOSHINOYA Kyoto enjoys a microclimate that is up to 4.9°C cooler than the city center. This natural air conditioning, created by mountain air and river mists, sets the stage for the "Nouryo (Summer Cooling) Stay in Oku-Arashiyama." Guests can enjoy shaved ice inspired by Sei Shonagon’s The Pillow Book, featuring a refreshing water pepper (tade) and wasanbon sugar syrup served in bamboo craft. Even the "Nouryo Dinner" honors heritage, utilizing exquisite glassware—once a rare treasure for Heian aristocrats—to serve seasonal dashi-based delicacies, allowing guests to dine amidst the shifting evening light just as the nobility did a millennium ago.
"Nouryo Stay in Oku-Arashiyama" Overview:
・Period: July 1 – August 31, 2026
・Price: 52,030 JPY for 1 guest; 84,700 JPY for 2 guests (Includes tax and service charge; excludes room rate)
・Included: Special shaved ice, Nouryo dinner, Nouryo breakfast, and stretching session on the pier.
・Location: HOSHINOYA Kyoto
・Eligibility: Overnight guests only
・Capacity: 1 group per day (1–2 guests)
・Reservations: Required via the official website (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakyoto/) up to 7 days in advance.
・Notes: Program contents may be subject to change depending on circumstances.
Program 2: Summer Solo Trip to Oku-Arashiyama
For those seeking spiritual and intellectual restoration, the "Summer Solo Trip to Oku-Arashiyama" program provides a 24-hour all-inclusive sanctuary that prioritizes the guest's inner world. Unlike typical high-end resorts, this program fosters a deep connection to Kyoto’s intellectual culture through a partnership with the legendary Keibunsha Ichijoji bookstore, providing curated literature in each room. Guests can retreat to the "Aerial Tea Room," a wooden deck overhanging the river, to engage in the meditative art of Bonkei confectionery making, arranging dry sweets to mirror the surrounding landscape. With private morning and evening stretches in the secluded gardens and a personalized check-out via a private boat, this experience offers a level of privacy and cultural intimacy that defines authentic Japanese hospitality.
"Summer Solo Trip to Oku-Arashiyama"Overview:
・Period: June 1 – August 31, 2026
・Price: From 189,078 JPY per person (for 1 guest per room)
・Included: Accommodation, Early Check-in (14:00), Late Check-out (14:00), Book loans, Bonkei confectionery kit, private night and morning stretch sessions, dinner (including drink pairings), breakfast, and mini-bar.
・Capacity: Limited to 1 guest per day
・Reservations: Available via the official website (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakyoto/) up to 7 days in advance.
・Notes: Activity locations are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Program 3: "Summer Research for Adults"
Finally, the "Summer Research for Adults" program transforms a stay into a journey of discovery, challenging the surface-level tourism found elsewhere in the city. Guests can participate in rituals that have defined the Kyoto calendar for centuries, such as writing wishes on Kaji leaves—the original Heian precursor to paper talismans—or joining the "Firefly Hunt" to hear The Tale of Genji recited in the Kyoto dialect of a century ago. The program further distinguishes itself by providing direct access to the masters of Kyoto’s living traditions; the "Gyoten Lectures" feature talks by the headmaster of the Misho-ryu Sasaoka school of flower arrangement and experts from historic incense and gardening houses. These encounters allow guests to not only observe but to actively "update" their sensibilities, returning home with a piece of Kyoto’s soul.
About HOSHINOYA Kyoto
A picturesque nobles’ retreat in the millennial city of Kyoto
HOSHINOYA Kyoto in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is a ryokan (Japanese inn) with a river view from all rooms and is located in an area that was once flourished as a vacation home area for the Heian nobles. Whilst preserving the traditional Japanese architectural design and incorporating modern comforts, it opened in 2009. Away from the hustle and bustle near the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, a famous landmark of Arashiyama, HOSHINOYA Kyoto is 15 minutes by boat up the Oi River. Through the culture and traditions of Kyoto, the landscape that reflects the four seasons, immerse into a place where tradition and modernity intersect.
About HOSHINOYA Brand
Luxury hotel embodying the true characteristics of land, history, and culture
HOSHINOYA is an accommodation with distinct themes, conceptualized from each location's land, history, and culture. Woven into these distinct themes is our attention to detail in every aspect from the design to hospitality; contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind world of HOSHINOYA. Enrich the heart with the epiphanies of travel through a unique stay experience.
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