When reading the part of "Japan Onsen Tour" by Tanizan Hanataba, the story of the Arashiyama Onsen in Kyoto came up. The onsen located deep in Arashiyama, Kyoto, attracted a lot of attention. It is a carbonated spring with a temperature of 11 degrees Celsius, which may not be very impressive, but in the Kinki region where there are few hot springs, it was considered quite rare. Despite being near Kyoto, the facilities of the inn were more like a rustic inn rather than a luxurious retreat, and it was not a place where one could relax comfortably. However, going there during the cherry blossom or autumn leaves season, rowing a boat up to the onsen, leaning against the railing facing the river, and quietly sipping sake can also be a comforting experience. I had never paid much attention to hot springs in Kyoto, so I did a little research...Arashiyama has been a prosperous aristocratic villa area since the Heian period. The history of the hot spring resort dates back to the Taisho era, with a few hot spring inns such as Arashikyo-kan. However, it was not considered a well-known hot spring resort. Therefore, in recent years, starting in 2004, the area revitalization began with the re-boring of the hot spring source. It seems that what Tanizan Hanataba is talking about in his book is the Arashiyama Onsen in Arashiyama (Motoyamacho) that opened in March 2004, not the one near Togetsukyo Bridge (Ukigahara-cho). It appears to be a traditional Japanese-style inn located opposite Kameyama Park on the west bank of the Hosugawa River in Nishikyo Ward. It seems that it is the same as "Arashikyo-kan". You can reach the inn from the base of Togetsukyo Bridge by sightseeing boat. Arashikyo-kan was closed in 2006. And in June of this year, it was announced that the old established inn, Arashiyama Onsen Arashikyo-kan in Nishikyo Ward, near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, will be renovated by Hoshino Resorts, a company that operates inns around the country. The management rights have already been transferred to the company, and renovation work will begin next month, with plans to reopen around next summer. Locals are hoping for a rebirth that matches the image of Arashiyama, saying that they have felt lonely since the old established inn closed. In 2008, it was announced that the Arashikyo-kan will be renovated and reopened by Hoshino Resorts as a luxury inn called "Hoshinoya Kyoto" in December 2008. The average room rate will be in the high 70,000 yen range per night excluding meals, comparable to a luxury hotel. They aim for an annual room occupancy rate of over 70% by offering new services such as boat transfers on the Oi River and collaboration with local ryotei restaurants. This transformation into "Hoshinoya Kyoto" represents a new concept of staying that combines the private feel of a traditional Japanese inn with the sophistication of Kyoto's culture. The stay at "Hoshinoya Kyoto" aims to provide a refined experience of Kyoto's spirituality and the richness of nature that was not available in previous stays in Kyoto. The theme of this stay is to discover the essence of Kyoto by inheriting the goodness of traditional Japanese architecture that has been passed down.

There is a dedicated boat that takes you up the Uzumasa River for about 5-10 minutes. You arrive at a traditional Japanese inn located in a lush and quiet area. I have only dined there, but I was led to a tatami room where I had my meal. I ate there three times, but only found the food delicious once. It was a kaiseki meal, so my inexperienced palate may not have been able to appreciate it fully. I was able to use the bath once, but it was small and crowded with other guests. Despite the crowds, the intimate atmosphere adds a special touch. There was also a rock bath, but I only used the indoor bath, which was disappointing. This place is great for experiencing the charm of Kyoto. Taking a boat to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is a nice touch. This would be a perfect place to stay or dine with someone special visiting Kyoto for sightseeing.