Hoshinoya Kyoto

Like a scene straight out of Japanese folklore, guests arrive at Hoshinoya Kyoto by private boat along a secluded arm of the Oi River. The hidden property is a former Heian period (794 to 1185) nobles’ retreat, featuring a network of centuries-old buildings with views overlooking the river and its surrounding landscapes as they transform across the seasons. Every aspect of this hotel is designed to evoke a deep sense of peace and serenity—morning Zen meditation at a nearby Buddhist temple shrouded in misty forest, a floating tea room positioned high on a mountainside where you can whisk your own matcha as the river gently flows below, and the wonderful pavilion guest rooms featuring intricate woven ceilings, ikebana flower arrangements, paper shoji screens, deep wooden bathtubs and traditional Kyoto-crafted wallpaper.