Rangetsu

Ryotei Rangetsu is a hotel with a perfect location, very close to many attractions in Arashiyama. The hotel’s kaiseki cuisine is excellent in both quality and taste. Before arriving, we informed the hotel in advance about the foods we do not eat, and they accommodated us very well.
The staff provided excellent service, and the room and views were beautiful. The onsen water quality was also very good — soaking in it felt truly refreshing and relaxing.
I may have stayed during a peak holiday season, so the price was a bit high at that time, but aside from that, everything about the hotel was impressive.

This has to be one of the best places I’ve ever visited. The private and public baths are second to none, and the hospitality/service is immaculate. Looking right over the Katsura River, the views are beautiful. Highly recommend it even if it’s for one night.

Me and my wife decided to stay here for 2 nights while visiting Kyoto just because of its traditional Japanese service. We travel a lot and stay in a lot of places and this was by far my favorite room, view, atmosphere, and service I’ve ever had or seen. Truly the best experience I’ve ever had. The staff was so polite and so helpful. The room was so nice we didn’t even want to sight see we just wanted to lay in bed and look out the window all day. We will be back, thank you so much!

Arashiyama is busy during tourism season, so as we branched off the cold, windy, sidewalk packed with tourists and peddlers, and entered the immaculate, spacious, near-silent ryokan lobby, I thought we had accidentally entered a museum.
The whole stay felt surreal. The entire hotel is covered in tatami, even the elevators. The public onsen was spacious, fully stocked, and empty. Our suite had a unique name, and was large enough to warrant separated doors for the different rooms, not to mention the outdoor patio and private onsen with framed view of the autumn colors.
The entire staff was extremely attentive at all times. I think the staff count neared the visitor count, given the exclusivity of the rooms. Everyone was traditionally dressed at all times and always upkept traditional ceremony while greeting you, taking your luggage and shoes, showing you around the hotel, and serving food and tea.
The location allows you to stay at Arashiyama outside of peak tourist hours. Sunrise and early mornings are beautiful in the bamboo forest and surrounding hills, and late evenings have frequent lighting events in nearby gardens and temples.
Other reviews may complain about the price.

Everything you can think of, they went above and beyond! Service is amazing. Course meal food was delicious. Room was very clean. I am glad to have experienced Rangetsu. The thoughtfulness and politeness that they carry is wonderful. They are so respectful!

Went there in 2017. A classic Japanese ryokan replete with outdoor bath, teahouse, breakfast and everything. Extremely professional and dedicated service. On our last day, me and my family had to check out before their regular business hours. The management really went above and beyond to prepare our breakfast extra early and grab us a taxi to Kyoto Station. We didn't speak any Japanese; the management didn't speak any Korean, but they still put in the extra effort to communicate to us by translators. Location right by the riverbank surrounded by great walking paths and cute cafes are also a big plus.
It definitely wasn't cheap. But this is a 4 star ryokan, not some cheap hostel, so no surprise there. Everything was well worth the price, and it truly felt like a luxurious splurging experience. Strongly recommended for anyone who can afford to indulge themselves while visiting Kyoto.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here, everything was meticulous, thoughtful and perfect. I stayed in the single room, the size was just nice for one person and I heard that it was previously used for tea ceremony, it also created a real sense of culture and heritage to the space. The onsen bathtub in the room has lovely natural texture and scent, it was very well-maintained. The staff also provided different tasty local snacks in the fridge everyday which was a very thoughtful touch. Both the breakfast and dinner were very refined, fresh and beautifully presented. The public onsen space was super clean and comfortable. The staff are very attentive, helpful and speak good English. I will definitely go back when I visit next time.

Truly unique and memorable ryokan experience, including the most elaborate breakfast of our lives. My only regret is that our reservation, made through a travel site, didn't include dinner and it was too late to add it on upon arrival. Advisable to contact them prior to ensure that you have a memorable dinner on-site.

Absolute gem. Great place to relax after a bustling few days. Rooms are gorgeous, great part of town, very lovely staff, and amazing food. Truly the best part of my trip.

We got a complimentary upgrade to a bigger room, and the room was huge! The dinner and breakfast were also great! The private hot spring tub was awesome.
The service was so awesome to a point it scared us a little at the start. They paid so much attention.

Staff was amazing! Cannot speak highly enough about them. Very lovely people and the environment really takes you away from the hustle and hustle of the city life. Don't expect to see your fellow hotel patrons. It always felt as if I was walking into my own place. The staff also make your breakfast and dinner. This is very traditional experience that I'd highly recommend. If you can get your private onsen, do it! Sit outside and listen to the water flowing without the sound of cars and people and immerse yourself in nature.

The hotel was extraordinarily peaceful overlooking a River. The room was very clean and the breakfast and dinner were unforgettable with so much attention to detail! we really enjoyed the stay.

The experience at Ryotei Rangetsu was extraordinarily peaceful. It was unlike any other 5-stars hotels or resorts I’ve been to (both in Asia, North America & Europe).
The meticulous attention to details from the staff not only made us feel welcomed but taken cared of. I highly recommend booking either a dinner or the breakfast, we did both and loved both!
The location is unbelievably breathtaking with the full view of the Oigawa river.
It was a deep relaxing stay and we stayed till the very last minute because of that.

The stay was the best we've had so far in Japan out of the two weeks we were there. The service was impeccable and the staff were attentive and helpful. They gave recommendations in the area for sights or for local sake and beer. The food was excellent and the views and rooms were immaculate. I wish we had more of our nights booked there but are happy we spent what time we did there and would do it again!

Our experience at Ryotei Rangetsu was amazing. The service was thoughtful, efficient, and organized, they really thought of everything, allowing us to fully relax our minds. The annex room with a private onsen was wonderful and had a stunning view of the river and mountains. It was also spacious but comfortable, especially the futons that they lay out for sleep. We chose to include the dinner as well, which was delicious and very filling. Overall the stay was 5 stars for us.

Our stay at Ryotei Rangetsu was exceptional. Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of bamboo groves and tranquil riverside views, the location is truly a serene escape. The service is what made the experience truly stand out. The staff exhibited the highest level of professionalism, ensuring every detail was handled with grace and attentiveness, making our stay seamless and relaxing.
For an elevated experience, I highly recommend booking a stay in the annex, which offers a private outoor onsen. Having a personal hot spring added an extra layer of luxury and privacy that made our visit even more memorable.
This ryokan is the perfect choice for those seeking tranquility, exceptional service, and a refined culinary journey in one of Kyoto’s most beautiful areas.

It’s a very nice hotel but it’s definitely not worth almost $1, 000 usd a night (hence the 2 star rating). See pic — that’s the blackout shades in the morning…. At this price they even charge you 330 yen for a bottle of water. We thought we had booked dinner but were informed at 10am while dropping bags off (check in is 3pm) that we had not (completely out mistake). We asked to have it added at our cost but they declined. If you do decide to spend too much money on a hotel room be sure to book dinner as the small town pretty much shuts down at night and most restaurants are closed. AC is also not quite cool enough at night. I would probably stay in Kyoto and just come to the town for the day.