🕓 2023/6/30
#Hotel
About Kyoto
Kyoto is a city where Japanese tradition and culture remain deeply rooted, captivating visitors with its long history and rich cultural heritage. Since its establishment as Heian-kyo in 794, it served as Japan’s capital for approximately 1,000 years. Today, numerous temples, shrines, and gardens registered as World Heritage sites, along with traditional townhouses (machiya), still exist, and their beautiful landscapes and tranquil atmosphere provide deep impressions to all who visit.
The beauty of the four seasons is also one of Kyoto’s great charms. Cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snow-covered landscapes in winter — each season reveals a different face. Kyoto is also a place where you can experience traditional crafts, maiko culture, and the tea ceremony.
Here we introduce three carefully selected luxury hotels that provide an extraordinary stay when visiting such a remarkable city.
3 Handpicked Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
Hiiragiya Ryokan
Source: Hiiragiya Official Website
●The Charm of Hiiragiya
Hiiragiya is a prestigious ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with over 200 years of history, located in the heart of Kyoto, where tradition and prestige are alive. It has been loved by many notable figures for over two centuries. Known as the inn beloved by the writer Yasunari Kawabata, he continued to visit even after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature, cherishing its tranquility and understated hospitality.
The main building is a wooden sukiya-style structure retaining the atmosphere from the late Edo to Showa periods, while the new wing incorporates new designs in a Japanese style. Most guest rooms overlook lush tsuboniwa (courtyard gardens). Hiiragiya is one of the “Three Great Inns of Kyoto,” alongside the other two prestigious ryokan, Tawaraya and Sumiya.
■ History and Tradition
Hiiragiya was founded in 1818 (Bunsei 1) and boasts a history of over two hundred years. The first Shogoro moved from Fukui to Kyoto and began a transport and seafood business, which was the beginning of Hiiragiya. The second Shogoro made the inn business his main occupation, and many notable figures including patriots of the late Edo period, Meiji-era aristocrats, royalty, and literary figures stayed here. Today, it continues to welcome guests from Japan and abroad while treasuring its traditions.
■ Architecture and Guest Rooms
Hiiragiya has 21 rooms in the main building, a wooden sukiya-style structure retaining the atmosphere from the late Edo to Showa periods, and 7 rooms in the new wing incorporating new designs in a Japanese style. Most guest rooms overlook lush tsuboniwa (courtyard gardens), creating a quiet and serene atmosphere. The sukiya-style guest rooms in the old wing, in particular, feature beautiful historical designs and allow guests to fully enjoy a traditional Japanese space.
■ Kyo-Kaiseki Cuisine
The cuisine at Hiiragiya is Kyo-kaiseki (Kyoto-style multi-course dining) that treasures the changing of the seasons. Using fresh local ingredients, each dish is carefully paired with its serving vessel. For dinner, guests can enjoy traditional Kyo-kaiseki, while breakfast features gentle dishes that nourish both body and soul, such as Kyoto yudofu (simmered tofu), grilled fish, and rice cooked in a donabe (clay pot). Special seasonal cuisine plans are also available, allowing guests to discover new flavors with each visit.
■ Special Experiences
Hiiragiya is an inn where you can feel its tradition and prestige while enjoying special experiences. For example, the bedding and vessels adorned with the holly leaf motif, Hiiragiya’s symbol, evoke the atmosphere of old Kyoto. The writer Yasunari Kawabata also held this inn dear, cherishing its tranquility and understated hospitality. The plaque hung at Hiiragiya’s entrance reading “Raisha Nyoki” (meaning “may those who come feel at home”) conveys the warm spirit of hospitality to all visitors.
●Access Information for Hiiragiya
- Official Website: https://www.hiiragiya.co.jp/
- Access: About 7 minutes on foot from Karasuma Oike Station Exit 3-1, Karasuma Line
- Address: Nakahakusancho, Fuyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8094
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UqK84rx1XY5kCRB48
Aman Kyoto
Source: Aman Kyoto Official Website
● The Charm of Aman Kyoto
Aman Kyoto is a luxury hotel that opened in 2019, located at the foot of the Takagamine Sanzan mountains in northern Kyoto. This area is where the artist Hon’ami Koetsu once conducted his creative activities, making it a special place where history and nature intersect. It has also received the highest “5-star” rating from Forbes Travel Guide, with its exceptional service and facilities recognized worldwide.
■ Nature in Harmony
Aman Kyoto is nestled within a vast forest of approximately 24,000 square meters, with Kitayama cedars and moss-covered gardens throughout the grounds. This environment provides serenity and healing to guests, creating a hideaway-like private space. The changing natural beauty throughout the seasons can be enjoyed year-round.
■ Luxurious Guest Rooms and Suites
Aman Kyoto has 26 guest rooms in total, designed with a minimalist aesthetic that fuses modernism with traditional Japanese beauty. Even standard rooms offer a generous 60 square meters, combining luxury with practicality. Special rooms such as the “Suite” and “Washigamine Pavilion” feature spacious interiors with kitchens, dining areas, and hinoki (cypress) baths.
■ Culinary Experiences
Aman Kyoto features two dining venues: “The Living Pavilion by Aman” and the Japanese restaurant “Taka-an.” “The Living Pavilion by Aman” offers innovative cuisine using carefully selected Kyoto ingredients, while “Taka-an” serves authentic Kyoto cuisine with an abundance of seasonal ingredients. These restaurants provide creative menus that make the most of local ingredients, delivering heartfelt satisfaction to visitors.
■ Wellness and Relaxation
The spa facility “Aman Spa” at Aman Kyoto features a spacious indoor bath and an outdoor rock bath using natural hot spring water. The hot spring is an alkaline simple spring, expected to aid in fatigue recovery and skin beautification, making it ideal for refreshing body and mind. Treatments that fuse traditional therapy with cutting-edge science are also offered, with personalized programs tailored to each individual. In the nature-surrounded environment, activities such as yoga and meditation can also be enjoyed.
●Access Information for Aman Kyoto
- Official Website: https://www.aman.com/ja-jp/resorts/aman-kyoto
- Access: About 30 minutes by taxi from JR Kyoto Station
- Address: 1 Washigamine-cho, Okitayama, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8481
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FoGu2xSCH3EFGQBi7
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
Source: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Official Website
●The Charm of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is a luxury hotel that opened in 2020, located in front of Nijo Castle in Kyoto. Built on a site with deep ties to the Mitsui family’s history, this hotel offers guests a special experience through its design and service that fuse traditional Japanese beauty with modern comfort. It has also received a “5-star” rating from Forbes Travel Guide, with its quality and hospitality recognized worldwide.
■ History and Tradition
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is built on the former site of the Mitsui family’s head household (Kita-ke), with its history dating back to the late 17th century. The Mitsui family wielded great influence through commerce and banking during the Edo period, and had been rooted in this Kyoto location for over 250 years.
The hotel’s iconic entrance gate, the “Kajii-no-Miya Gate,” has a history spanning over 300 years and was originally used as the main gate of the former Mitsui residence. Throughout the hotel, art pieces and decorations evoking the former Mitsui residence are placed, providing guests with a rich historical experience.
■ Luxurious Guest Rooms and Suites
The hotel has 160 guest rooms ranging from 43 to 213 square meters. Each room features a design that fuses contemporary aesthetics with traditional Japanese beauty, combining comfort with luxury. Even standard rooms are spacious, with a refined Japanese atmosphere throughout. The Presidential Suite, in particular, boasts one of the largest spaces in Kyoto City at 213 square meters, complete with a kitchen, dining area, and hinoki (cypress) bath for the ultimate in luxury. Many rooms also offer views of Nijo Castle or the beautiful gardens.
■ Culinary Experiences
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has four dining facilities. “TOKI” offers innovative cuisine, “FORNI” serves Italian, “THE GARDEN BAR” provides a bar and lounge experience, and “Shiki no Ma” hosts special events and tea ceremonies. These restaurants serve cuisine that makes the most of local Kyoto ingredients, delivering heartfelt satisfaction to visitors.
■ Wellness and Relaxation
The hotel features a spa facility called “Thermal Spring SPA” that uses natural hot spring water, equipped with a swimsuit-worn thermal pool, private hot springs, and treatment rooms. This allows guests to spend a luxurious time refreshing both body and mind. A fitness gym is also available for health management during your stay.
●Access Information for HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
- Official Website: https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/ja/kyoto/
- Access: 3-minute walk from Nijojo-mae Station Exit 2, Tozai Line
- Address: 284 Nijoaburanokoji-cho, Aburanokoji-dori Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0051
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TyNUfuvCq1KbnU4G6