---
title: "Mulan Hostel vs Riverside Arashiyama: which hotel is better?"
description: "Mulan Hostel or Riverside Arashiyama in Kyoto? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mulan-hostel-kyoto-vs-riverside-arashiyama-kyoto/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-15
---

# Mulan Hostel vs Riverside Arashiyama

Both are in Kyoto, 220 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Guesthouse · 鳴滝音戸山町
## [Mulan Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mulan-hostel-kyoto/)

- **Guest rating:** 9.1 ·  Excellent

- **Location score:** 5.9

- **Score by category:** 1 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1872756/agoda/?lang=en)

Hotel · ★★★ · 鳴滝音戸山町
## [Riverside Arashiyama](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/riverside-arashiyama-kyoto/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.5 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 6.7

- **Score by category:** 1 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2031085/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Too close to call

Each hotel leads in 1 category. Your priorities decide. 220 m apart.

### Choose Mulan Hostel if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay (9.1 / 8.5)
-   a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 8 / 22)

### Choose Riverside Arashiyama if you want

-   more restaurants on the doorstep (88 / 34)
-   a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 22 / 8)

### Why is Mulan Hostel better than Riverside Arashiyama?

1.  Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 8.5) (+0.6)
2.  Earlier check-in (15:00 vs 16:00) (−1h)

### Why is Riverside Arashiyama better than Mulan Hostel?

1.  54 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+54)
2.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 83 vs 66) (+17)
3.  Allows pets
4.  5 more sights within 1 km (+5)
5.  Has an on-site restaurant

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Mulan Hostel | Riverside Arashiyama |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 9.1  (+0.6) | 8.5 |
| Location | 5.9 | 6.7  (+0.8) |
| Facilities | 4.2 | – |
| Spa & wellness | 1.0 | – |
| Public transport | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 9.1  (+0.6) | 8.5 |
| Guest rating | 9.1  (+0.6) | 8.5 |
| Number of reviews | 485 | 908  (+423) |
| Google rating | 4.6/5  (+0.3) | 4.3/5 |
| Google reviews | 147 | 230  (+83) |
| Rank in Kyoto | top 27%  (+52%) | bottom 21% |
| Location |
| Location score | 5.9 | 6.7  (+0.8) |
| Distance to 鳴滝音戸山町 centre | 2.9 km | 2.9 km |
| To public transport | 100 m | 120 m |
| To the airport | 34 km | 34 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 34 | 88  (+54) |
| To the nearest food shop | 590 m | 380 m  (−210 m) |
| Shops within 500 m | 1 | 4  (+3) |
| Sights within 1 km | 7 | 12  (+5) |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | – | ★★★ |
| Rooms | 8 | 22 |
| Floors | 3 | 3 |
| Newest building or renovation | 2017 | 2017 |
| Listed amenities | 14  (+4) | 10 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 15:00  (−1h) | 16:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Concierge | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free breakfast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bar | ✓ | – |
| Hot tub | ✓ | – |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | – |
| In-room safe | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | ✓ | – |
| Blackout curtains | ✓ | ✓ |
| Restaurant | – | ✓ |
| Pets allowed | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | – |

## Live prices around both hotels

Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.

## Location

220 m apart

Mulan Hostel: city centre: 7.3 km, Osaka Itami International Airport (ITM): 34 km, 34 places to eat within 500 m, 7 sights within 1 km.

Riverside Arashiyama: city centre: 7.5 km, Osaka Itami International Airport (ITM): 34 km, 88 places to eat within 500 m, 12 sights within 1 km.

[Top-rated of 13 hotels in Arashiyama](https://stayversus.com/en/japan/kyoto/area/arashiyama/)

## Weather in Kyoto

[Kyoto weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/japan/kyoto/kyoto/weather)

## Mulan Hostel or Riverside Arashiyama: common questions

### Which is better, Mulan Hostel or Riverside Arashiyama?

They are evenly matched. Mulan Hostel is stronger in guest rating; Riverside Arashiyama is stronger in location.

### Which is cheaper, Mulan Hostel or Riverside Arashiyama?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### How far apart are Mulan Hostel and Riverside Arashiyama?

The two hotels are 220 m apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Riverside Arashiyama vs Kadensho, Arashiyama Onsen, Kyoto -Kyoritsu Resort](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/kadensho-arashiyama-onsen-kyoto-kyoritsu-resort-kyoto-vs-riverside-arashiyama-kyoto/)
-   [Riverside Arashiyama vs Hotel Arashiyama](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotel-arashiyama-kyoto-vs-riverside-arashiyama-kyoto/)
-   [Riverside Arashiyama vs Togetsutei Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/riverside-arashiyama-kyoto-vs-togetsutei-hotel-kyoto/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

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Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mulan-hostel-kyoto-vs-riverside-arashiyama-kyoto/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/
