Higashiyama Kyoto, Japan
Renovated
2024
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness LuxeOutside the door
The house
IHGHigashiyama wellness den
Under a folded white ash ceiling, a wall of handcrafted Raku tiles frames views of an inner courtyard pond and manicured gardens.
“Interiors, dreamt up by Singapore-based Blink Design, balance Kyoto craftsmanship with a light, contemporary aesthetic.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Folded ash ceilings and 504 handcrafted Raku tiles retrace Heian-era courtly elegance.
Remarkable
The city's only dedicated Watsu hydrotherapy pool anchors garden-facing ofuro bathhouses and sensory suites.
Notable
Dedicated Guest Experience Makers oversee stays featuring custom organic mattresses and recovery sleepwear.
What they say
One Michelin Key
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
As a work of design it’s an impressive one, as modern as can be and yet maximally respectful of Japanese tradition.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set in historic Higashiyama, the property sits directly opposite Toyokuni Shrine, with Sanjusangendo and Kyoto National Museum a short stroll away.
The rooms
Tatami-style carpets and hemp-leaf woodwork frame bedrooms with deep ofuro tubs and custom organic mattresses, overlooking quiet gardens or shrine grounds.
The pool and gym
Bring a swimsuit.
The 18-meter indoor pool sits beneath cloud murals, and the fitness studio is paneled in light wood.
The spa
Guests blend custom herbal remedies at the Alchemy Bar, and sensory treatment suites incorporate gongs and tuning forks.
Dogs stay too.
Bar
Nine Tails
Illuminated fox masks line the walls of this cocktail lounge, where bartenders mix drinks using rare Japanese craft spirits.
The hotel feels chic and contemporary while remaining richly textured, thanks to playful and modern design reinterpretations of the Heian period.
Restaurant
Sekki
Menus rotate fortnightly across Japan's 24 solar seasons, serving vegetable-forward dishes made with local Kyoto produce.
At the table
Open-air tables on the rooftop terrace look straight out over the Kyoto cityscape toward the surrounding mountains.
How it began
Blink Design Group shaped the retreat around Heian-era courtly elegance, referencing classic folklore and 12th-century scroll illustrations throughout the architecture.
Good to know
Stay here
Six Senses Kyoto
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.