🕓 2023/6/30
＃ホテル
Kyoto is a city rich in tradition and culture, captivating visitors with its long history and abundant cultural heritage. Established as the capital city Heian-kyō in 794, Kyoto flourished as Japan's capital for approximately 1,000 years. Today, it is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional townhouses, offering beautiful landscapes and a tranquil atmosphere that deeply impress visitors.
Kyoto's charm changes with the seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom; summer brings lush greenery; autumn features stunning foliage; and winter showcases snowy landscapes. Additionally, Kyoto offers cultural experiences such as traditional crafts, the Maiko culture, and tea ceremonies.
For those visiting Kyoto, we introduce three select luxury hotels that offer an exceptional stay.
Source: Hiiragiya Official Website
Hiiragiya Ryokan, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a traditional inn with over 200 years of history. It has been loved by many famous people, including the writer Yasunari Kawabata, who frequently stayed there even after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. The inn is renowned for its quiet atmosphere and understated hospitality.
The main building, constructed in the late Edo period to the Showa era, features wooden sukiya-style architecture, while the newer wing incorporates modern designs with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Most guest rooms offer views of lush courtyard gardens. Hiiragiya is one of the three prestigious inns in Kyoto, alongside Tawaraya and Sumiya, known for their luxury and historical significance.
■ History and Tradition
Founded in 1818, Hiiragiya boasts a history of over 200 years. The inn's origin traces back to its founder, Shojiro, who moved from Fukui to Kyoto and started a transportation and marine product business. The second Shojiro turned it into an inn, attracting numerous famous guests, including shogunate warriors, Meiji aristocrats, imperial family members, and literary figures. Today, Hiiragiya continues to uphold its traditions while welcoming guests from around the world.
■ Architecture and Guest Rooms
Hiiragiya comprises 21 rooms in the main building and 7 rooms in the newer wing. The main building retains the elegant sukiya-style architecture from the late Edo period to the Showa era. Most rooms overlook beautiful courtyard gardens, providing a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The rooms in the old wing feature exquisite traditional Japanese design, allowing guests to enjoy a historic and cultural experience.
■ Kyoto Kaiseki Cuisine
Hiiragiya's cuisine emphasizes the changing seasons with its Kyoto kaiseki dishes. Using fresh local ingredients, the inn offers meticulously prepared dishes in carefully chosen tableware. Guests can enjoy traditional Kyoto kaiseki for dinner and a healthy breakfast featuring Kyoto yudofu (boiled tofu), grilled fish, and rice cooked in an earthen pot. Seasonal special dishes are also available, ensuring a new culinary experience with each visit.
■ Special Experiences
Hiiragiya offers unique experiences reflecting its tradition and prestige. The inn's signature motifs, such as the holly leaf pattern on bedding and tableware, evoke the charm of ancient Kyoto. Yasunari Kawabata cherished this inn, appreciating its tranquility and discreet hospitality. The plaque at Hiiragiya's entrance inscribed with "Rai-sha-nyo-ki" (meaning "Guests are like family") reflects the warm hospitality extended to all visitors.
Opened in 2019, Aman Kyoto is a luxury hotel located at the foot of Takagamine Sanzan in northern Kyoto. This area is historically significant as the place where artist Honami Koetsu created his work. The hotel has received the highest rating of "Five Stars" from the Forbes Travel Guide, recognized globally for its exceptional service and facilities.
■ Harmonious Natural Environment
Aman Kyoto is set within a vast 24,000-square-meter forest, featuring Kitayama cedar and moss-covered gardens. This environment provides guests with tranquility and relaxation, creating a private, retreat-like atmosphere. The natural beauty that changes with the seasons can be enjoyed year-round.
■ Luxurious Rooms and Suites
Aman Kyoto offers 26 guest rooms designed with minimalist aesthetics, blending modernism and traditional Japanese beauty. Even the standard rooms boast 60 square meters of space, combining luxury and functionality. The special rooms, such as the "Suites" and "Takagamine Pavilion," feature expansive spaces with kitchens, dining areas, and hinoki (cypress) bathtubs.
■ Culinary Experiences
Aman Kyoto has two dining options: "The Living Pavilion by Aman" and the Japanese restaurant "Taka-an." "The Living Pavilion by Aman" offers innovative dishes made with carefully selected Kyoto ingredients, while "Taka-an" serves authentic Kyoto cuisine using seasonal ingredients. Both restaurants provide creative menus that highlight local produce, ensuring a satisfying culinary experience.
■ Wellness and Relaxation
Aman Kyoto's spa facility, "Aman Spa," features spacious indoor baths and open-air rock baths utilizing natural hot springs. The alkaline simple spring water is ideal for relieving fatigue and improving skin health, offering an optimal environment for mental and physical refreshment. The spa offers treatments that combine traditional therapies with modern science, tailored to each guest's needs. Activities such as yoga and meditation are also available in the natural surroundings.
Opened in 2020, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is a luxury hotel located in front of Nijo Castle in Kyoto, built on a site historically connected to the Mitsui family. The hotel offers a special experience to its guests with a design that fuses traditional Japanese beauty with modern comfort. It has received the highest rating of "Five Stars" from the Forbes Travel Guide, recognized globally for its quality and hospitality.
■ History and Tradition
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is built on the site where the Mitsui family's main residence (Kita House) once stood, dating back to the late 17th century. The Mitsui family was influential during the Edo period through commerce and finance and remained rooted in this area for over 250 years. The entrance gate, "Kajiimiya Gate," is over 300 years old and served as the main gate of the former Mitsui residence. The hotel features artworks and decorations reminiscent of the Mitsui residence, providing guests with a rich historical experience.
■ Luxurious Rooms and Suites
The hotel has 160 rooms, ranging from 43 square meters to 213 square meters. Each room blends contemporary design with traditional Japanese aesthetics, offering both comfort and luxury. Even the standard rooms are spacious, providing a high-quality Japanese ambiance. The Presidential Suite, one of the largest in Kyoto, offers 213 square meters of space with a kitchen, dining area, and hinoki (cypress) bathtub, ensuring the utmost luxury. Many rooms offer views of Nijo Castle or the beautiful gardens.
■ Culinary Experiences
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO boasts four dining facilities. "TOKI" offers innovative cuisine, "FORNI" serves Italian dishes, "THE GARDEN BAR" provides a relaxing bar and lounge experience, and "SHIKI-NO-MA" is available for special events and tea ceremonies. These restaurants use local Kyoto ingredients to create dishes that offer guests a satisfying culinary experience.
■ Wellness and Relaxation
The hotel features a spa facility, "Thermal Spring Spa," utilizing natural hot springs. It includes an onsen pool where guests wear swimsuits, private onsen, and treatment rooms, allowing for luxurious relaxation and rejuvenation. There is also a fitness gym, ensuring guests can maintain their health during their stay.