Best MICHELIN Hotels in Asia for Discovering Ancient Temples and Cultural Landmarks

"Set along the tranquil banks of the Hozu River in Arashiyama — Kyoto’s western, temple-dotted enclave — this one MICHELIN Key retreat offers a quiet reverence for place and time. Once the summerhouse of Meiji-era industrialist Shōzō Kawasaki, it now welcomes travelers to step into Kyoto’s poetic past, with just 39 rooms, many featuring private open-air onsens. Tucked away amid whispering bamboo groves and near the iconic Tenryu-ji Temple, it’s a quiet ode to Kyoto’s timeless allure. The hotel invites exploration of nearby treasures: the gilded brilliance of Kinkaku-ji, the serene gardens of Kōdai-ji, the storied grounds of Tenryu-ji, and the quiet charm of Hōgon-in. For a playful detour, the Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Museum adds a dash of intrigue, while Japan’s largest railway museum charts the nation’s industrial past. Though crowds come and go, drawn by Arashiyama’s famed sights, this refuge remains perfectly hushed — just as it was meant to be centuries ago." - Faye Bradley