The Four Seasons plants its zen garden a stone's throw from the Sanjūsangen-dō, and pulls off the challenge of a Western palace that respects Kyoto.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
From
1,095.039 €
“800-year-old pond listed as a historic monument at the heart of the property, visible from most rooms.”
The Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto occupies a 3 200 m² site in Higashiyama-ku, the temple district to the east of the city. We stay in 123 rooms and suites that mix hinoki wood, sliding shoji and ofuro bathtubs in volcanic stone. The historic pond runs through the property, bordered by maples and clipped pines, we see it from the garden-side rooms and from the spa. The 20-metre indoor pool overlooks a bamboo garden, the spa offers treatments inspired by the onsen ritual. Two restaurants, including a kaiseki table run by chef Nakamura, trained at Kikunoi (three Michelin stars). The service is polished, discreet, efficient, without the starchiness of some Japanese palaces. From 1 095 € a night, we pay for the location, the garden and the level of finish, not the folklore ✨
Who is it for?
Who we recommend it to
We recommend the Four Seasons to travellers seeking an international palace in Kyoto without forgoing Western comforts (king-size beds, spacious bathrooms, 24-hour room service). It's an address for honeymoon couples, fifties fans of Japanese art, wealthy families wanting a reliable base between temple visits. Purists of the traditional ryokan will give it a miss, but those seeking the best of both worlds will find a rare balance here.
The building
Architecture and interiors
The building dates from 2016, designed by the HBA Design agency in collaboration with Kyoto artisans. Low-rise architecture (three storeys maximum) to respect the district's scale, facades in aged cedar wood and Shirakawa stone. Interiors by Hirsch Bedner: Oya stone floors, woven bamboo screens, lacquered wood coffered ceilings. The scale stays intimate, 123 rooms arranged around the central garden, no endless corridors or outsized lobbies.
At the table
Restaurants, bar, service
Two tables at the Four Seasons Kyoto: Sushi Wakon, an 8-seat counter run by chef Shinichiro Takagi (trained in Tokyo, 12-course omakase from 28 000 yen), and Brasserie, French cuisine reinterpreted by chef Nakamura with Nishiki Market produce. Breakfast in the dining room or on the garden terrace, Japanese menu (onigiri, miso, grilled fish) or Western (pastries, eggs). The Lounge bar serves saké cocktails and rare Japanese whiskies, open until midnight. 24-hour room service, full menu.
Highlights
- Pond from the Heian era (800 years) listed as a monument, maintained by specialist gardeners
- 1 000 m² spa with 20 m pool, private Shigaraki stone onsen, Sodashi treatments
- Sushi Wakon restaurant: 12-course omakase by chef Shinichiro Takagi, 8 counter seats
- Rooms of 50 to 235 m², stone ofuro bathtubs, private terraces for garden suites
- Private shuttle to Gion, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari temples, electric bike service
Location & access
Where the hotel sits in Kyoto
The Four Seasons stands in Higashiyama-ku, 800 metres from the Sanjūsangen-dō and 1.2 km from Kiyomizu-dera. Quiet residential district bordered by temples and private gardens, few shops but plenty of traditional tea houses. Shichijo metro station 10 minutes on foot, Kyoto station 15 minutes by taxi. Kansai Airport (Osaka) at 1h30 by private shuttle, the hotel offers a limousine service. The Gion district (geishas, kaiseki restaurants) is 2 km away, reachable in 8 minutes by car.
Good to know
Before you book
- Pets
- Accepted, all sizes, 15 000 yen per stay, basket and bowls provided.
- Pool
- Indoor 20 m, heated year-round, open 6h-22h.
- Spa
- Open 9h-21h, 48-hour advance booking recommended for treatments.
- Parking
- Private on-site, free, valet available, 40 spaces.
- Wi-Fi
- Free throughout the hotel, fibre optic, stable connection.
- Airport shuttle
- Private limousine to Kansai, 35 000 yen one-way, reserve 24h ahead.
Facilities
1 pool
Non-smoking rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Fitness centre
Airport shuttle
Facilities for guests with disabilities
Room service
Restaurant
Private parking
Spa and wellness centre
On-site parking
Pets allowed
Location
Where Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is located
Exact address
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Address
Higashiyama-ku Myohoin Maekawacho 445-3
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