Summer Boating in Oku-Arashiyama – HOSHINOYA Kyoto

Learning the ways of cooling through the wisdom of the past

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HOSHINOYA Kyoto, a ryokan (Japanese inn) in Arashiyama where all guest rooms have a river view, is hosting “Summer Boating in Oku-Arashiyama” from 1 July to 31 August 2022. This program is available to one group per day to spend a private and elegant time amid the cool air on our original Yakata boat “Hisui.” Savor refreshing desserts using Japanese flavors and iced matcha green tea in Yukata (Japanese traditional summer garment) while gazing at the jade-colored water and cool green maples shining in the morning sun. Relish in an elegant and refreshing time in Arashiyama, where Heian nobles enjoyed boating to seek coolness amid the hot summers.

Background
HOSHINOYA Kyoto is in Arashiyama, a place where nature remains. In summer, the green maple trees in the valley create soft shades, and the flow of the jade-colored Oi River creates a cool breeze. Kyoto, being a basin, has long been a place with the intense summer heat. Nobles of the Heian period (794-1185) often had and spent their summers in Arashiyama in search of a cooler abode. We developed this activity for guests to experience an elegant summer morning amid the cool breeze, inspired by the atmosphere of the Heian nobles who enjoyed boating while admiring the valley’s scenery and enjoying poetry and music.

Characteristic 1: A breezy, refreshing time on Yakata boat “Hisui” on the jade-colored Oi River
The jade-colored Oi River flows right in front of HOSHINOYA Kyoto, sandwiched between the green maples of Mt. Ogura and Arashiyama, refreshing the eyes of any beholder. From the Yakata boat close to the water, feel the cool breeze blowing through the valley and the sound of green maples rustling in the wind. Enjoy the valley view all to yourself on the Hisui on a quiet summer morning.

Characteristic 2: Savor the coolness with refreshing desserts and iced matcha
Enjoy refreshing desserts and iced matcha green tea prepared by our staff. Bonkei (tray landscape) is one of Japan’s unique pastimes where one admires three-dimensional expressions of various natural sceneries on a tray. This program offers refreshing desserts such as sorbets and fu-manju (wheat gluten buns) made from summer fruits to express the scenery of Oku-Arashiyama. Iced matcha is a summer drink made from strong green tea served with ice. Feel nature’s breeze by tasting Bonkei confectionery and iced matcha while immersing in the valley’s cool atmosphere.

Characteristic 3: Change into a yukata and feel the breeze
Enjoy the boating experience in yukata, a breezy, Japanese-style summer garment made of cotton that feels comfortable on the skin. Change into your favorite combination of yukata and obi belt of varying colors for an enjoyable boat ride.

Characteristic 4: Elegant time on Yakata boat, Hisui
Hisui is an original Yakata boat of HOSHINOYA Kyoto using materials and decorations that have long been familiarized in Kyoto. For example, Kitayama cedar and Japanese cypress used in residences of Kyoto create the boat’s framework and throughout the boat, there are copper decorations that have been used as decorations for pillars and ceilings of temples since ancient times. The boat is surrounded by a traditional Japanese blind to create an elegant space similar to scenes depicted in Heian Emaki (picture scrolls of the Heian period).

The roof of the boat has a special glass that can be switched from opaque to transparent with a flick of a button so that guests can enjoy an expansive view of the glittering glow of the surface of the river. Ride this unparalleled Yakata boat to gaze into the valleys and blue skies of Arashiyama.

Summer Boating in Oku-Arashiyama in a glance
Period: 1 July to 31 August 2022
Time: 9:30 am to 10:20 am
Price: 58,000 JPY per group (includes tax and service charge)
Price includes: private use of Yakata boat “Hisui,” Japanese confectionery, cold matcha green tea, Yukata dressing & rental
Capacity: 1 group per day (maximum of 3 people per group)
Available to: guests staying at HOSHINOYA Kyoto
Reservation: required a week in advance
Others: Boating may be canceled, or the time of the program is subject to change depending on the weather.

About HOSHINOYA Kyoto
Address: 11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 616-0007
Price: Starts from 136,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals)
Number of Rooms: 25
Check-in: 3:00 pm / Check-out: 12:00 pm
Directions: Approximately 10 minutes by walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station

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.