Arashiyama is a pleasant town with mountains and river located in the western outskirts of Kyoto, offering very beautiful natural setting and relaxed atmosphere. It's a masterpiece of natural scenic beauty, while it's a small town without too many attractions, many tourists go there for a day trip. It takes about half an hour ride on Randen Line from Kyoto. On my first visit, I had a day trip too but I've decided to stay a little longer this time. This area is especially popular among tourists during Autumn, when the Japanese maple (momiji) - which takes up to 70% of Arashiyama add grace and beauty to the season.
There are a few beautiful ryokans in Arashiyama, my favourite was Hoshinoya unfortunately it's fully booked by the time I started to do my planning. I've only made all my hotel bookings 1-1.5 months before I departed. Bad bad idea to check out hotels 1-2 months before departure, furthermore it's the cherry blossom season, left aside the steep prices, many hotels were already fully booked and I've only left with a few choices. I've settled down with Hanaikada Ryokan, a traditional ryokan with natural hot springs.
