HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO: WHERE HERITAGE, HARMONY AND MODERN LUXURY CONVERGE (Japan)
In the very heart of Kyoto, across from the UNESCO-listed Nijo-jo Castle, stands Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto — a property where time seems to slow, and where every stone, beam, and gesture tells a story of quiet perfection.Category: Asia Pacific - Japan -
Article written by Asia Abadie on 2025-11-13
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Once the residence of the illustrious Mitsui family for over two and a half centuries, this retreat is more than a hotel: it is a profound expression of omotenashi, the Japanese art of wholehearted hospitality. Recognised internationally for its excellence, the hotel holds a prestigious Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. In 2025, it was awarded Three Michelin Keys in 2025 and named in the World’s Best Hotel 50, affirming its place among the finest properties in the world.
Passing through history
The experience begins before even stepping inside. Guests enter through the Kajiimiya Gate, a magnificent wooden structure built in 1703 and carefully preserved as a cultural treasure. Once the threshold to the Mitsui family estate, it now serves as a symbolic passage — from the rhythm of modern Kyoto to a sanctuary where the past and present intertwine.
Beyond the gate, a peaceful courtyard garden opens, with seasonal trees framing the path toward the lobby. The air is still, scented faintly with the various plants, and the hum of the city vanishes. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a striking sculpture, an abstract ceramic form that seems to rise from the earth itself. Designed by Yukiya Izumita, “Kaze”, which means “wind”, anchors the space, setting the tone for what lies within: a dialogue between art, heritage, and serenity.
A dialogue between nature and architecture
The architectural vision for the lobby and guestrooms was led by Andre Fu. Natural light fills the lobby through the ceiling high windows that can be opened on warm days; textures shift from stone to wood to fabrics; and water, omnipresent, acts as a unifying element.
Perhaps the most striking example of this lies on the hotel’s B1 floor, where guests descend into the spa and wellness areas. In the gym, a glass ceiling panel reveals the flow of water from the garden’s surface above, a reminder that nature is not merely observed but integrated into the very structure of the hotel. Watching the water ripple overhead, light refracting gently across the stone walls, feels almost meditative.
Rooms and suites: A symphony of calm
The hotel offers 160 rooms and suites across several categories.
The Deluxe Rooms combine natural wood finishes with soft textiles. Many overlook either the inner garden or Nijo-jo Castle, framing Kyoto’s heritage like a living painting.
For guests seeking the utmost privacy and immersion, the Onsen Suites are a defining highlight. Fed directly from the natural hot spring that lies beneath the property, these suites feature private thermal baths, embodying the concept of “Oasis of Serenity.” At the pinnacle of the experience is the Presidential Suite, a grand yet understated space.
Every suite, regardless of category, is designed to slow the senses, allowing guests to rediscover the poetry of simplicity.
Seasonal plates
Each restaurant presents a different interpretation of Kyoto’s seasons and Japan’s craftsmanship.
At TOKI, the hotel’s signature restaurant, dishes unfold as a performance — the chef working behind the counter, flames rising and aromas intermingling. Ingredients are local. The restaurant’s Head Chef, Tetsuya Asano, will represent Japan at the 2027 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition.
FORNI, the hotel’s Italian-inspired venue, offers a lighter, convivial ambience. The dining room overlooks the tranquil garden, natural light shining through. On one wall, a 3D ceramic mural composed of hundreds of small plates forms a delicate floral tableau while mirrors cover the back of the restaurant so guests can observe the garden from any angle.
The Thermal Spring Spa: Kyoto’s hidden sanctuary
Descending to the Thermal Spring Spa, guests enter an entirely different world. Drawing from a natural hot spring found 1,000 meters below the property, the baths are complemented by ambient lighting, creating a quiet interplay of shadow and reflection.
The aforementioned glass panel in the ceiling allows glimpses of water flowing from the gardens above, bringing the outside world into this cocoon of warmth and calm. Treatments combine Japanese ritual with global wellness philosophy. Every experience is designed to restore balance and connection.
A living expression of Kyoto’s soul
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto extends hospitality beyond its beauty through curated cultural experiences. Guests can participate in tea ceremonies, kimono dressing, ceramic workshops, and temple tours — each led by locals who carry Kyoto’s traditions forward.
To pass through the ancient gate and into this sanctuary is to step into Kyoto’s living spirit: cultivated, poetic, and eternal. For discerning travellers seeking not only luxury but a genuine sense of place, this is Kyoto at its most authentic — a haven where history breathes softly beneath modern design, and where hospitality is practised as an art form.
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