Family-Friendly Hotels in Arashiyama: Kyoto's Riverside Hot Spring Retreat

Known for Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Grove Path, Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's classic sightseeing districts, and it also works surprisingly well as a base for a family trip. Unlike the hotels in the city center, the inns of Arashiyama Onsen sit in a calm setting ringed by the river and the mountains, and once the daytime crowds thin out in the evening, the area settles back into the quiet face of a hot spring town. Even with small children who find crowds overwhelming, an early morning stroll to Togetsukyo Bridge or through the bamboo grove lets you take in that unmistakably Kyoto scenery at an unhurried pace.

When choosing a family stay in Arashiyama, the two things to look at are Japanese-style rooms and how the kitchen handles children. All 4 of the inns listed on this site have Japanese-style tatami rooms, which makes them easy to live in with a crawling baby or with children sleeping beside you on futons. Toddler meals and allergy accommodations are offered at all 4 of them, so even at inns serving Kyoto kaiseki (a multi-course seasonal dinner) you can discuss a children's version in advance. At an inn that serves dinner in your room, the family can eat at its own pace without worrying about anyone else.

As for bathing, the water at Arashiyama Onsen is a simple spring, low in minerals and gentle on the skin, which is another plus for families. 3 of the inns have a private bath you can reserve, so you can soak together as a family at your own pace. Many guest rooms also come with their own bath, so even a baby who has not yet made a public bath debut has somewhere comfortable to wash.

For sightseeing, Arashiyama's real strength is that the spots children love are clustered within walking distance. The Sagano Romantic Train, a sightseeing railway that runs along the Hozugawa River gorge, is a treat for any child who loves trains. The pebbly banks of the Katsura River are just right for a toddler's walk, and at Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama you can watch wild Japanese macaques up close. Kyoto Station is about 15 minutes away on the JR Sagano Line, so connecting to the rest of the city or to the Shinkansen is easy.

During the autumn foliage season, book the Sagano Romantic Train ahead of time for peace of mind. The streets around Togetsukyo Bridge are flat enough to cover with a stroller, and if you stay at an Arashiyama Onsen inn, the morning walk and the evening soak are both on foot, which keeps the travel load on a family trip pleasantly light.