Stone steps reminiscent of the approaches to shrines and temples. At the top of this is a circular plaza made of stone.Stone steps reminiscent of the approaches to shrines and temples. At the top of this is a circular plaza made of stone.

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2021.3.1

Takanori Nakamura/Aman Kyoto A secret haven of Kyoto with gourmet food and ancient ruins

Stone steps reminiscent of the approaches to shrines and temples. At the top of this is a circular plaza made of stone.

A garden that looks like a forgotten ancient ruin

Written by Takanori Nakamura

 

As I stood in this ruin-like garden, I realized once again that the expression "forgotten" is no exaggeration.

 

Aman Kyoto is located at the foot of Washimine Sanzan, which extends from Mt. Hidadaimonji in the north of Kyoto. Within walking distance of Kinkaku-ji Temple, this Washmine district is home to Hon'ami Koetsu, the founder of the Rinpa school in the early Edo period, and is a historically important area in Kyoto, but what is especially noteworthy is its vast size. The garden looks like a ruin. Aman Kyoto's total site area is approximately 4000 square meters, but including the surrounding natural forest, it extends to approximately 32 square meters. However, as soon as you step into this garden, you will realize that nature is not just as it is. This is a magnificent garden made up of cobblestones and stone masonry that took about 40 years to create by the former owner of a textile wholesaler who made a huge fortune in Nishijin textiles.It was once known as the Kamiyagawa Garden. It was called.


The moss-covered stonework and lush trees are reminiscent of Angkor Wat. The moss-covered stonework and lush trees are reminiscent of Angkor Wat.

The moss-covered stonework and lush trees are reminiscent of Angkor Wat.


The previous owner apparently had a dream of creating a textile museum here, but it was almost forgotten by history. Aman Kyoto inherits its ruin-like garden environment and has 24 suites and two pavilions that blend in with the natural surroundings. I think that even among the many gems of Aman resorts in the world, it has outstanding charm in terms of historical value.

 

It is sure to captivate not only core fans such as so-called Aman junkies, but also researchers and enthusiasts of ruins and stones, as well as garden lovers. What I admired was the previous owner's extraordinary passion for stone and his unique aesthetic sense. Moreover, how did they build such a huge group of stones? It is sure to give visitors a sense of scale and mystery that rivals Stonehenge and Angkor Wat in England, or the Moai statues on Easter Island.

 

It is surprising that this garden, which would normally have the value of becoming a tourist spot on its own, is now a private garden. I think it's worth visiting before you die to get a glimpse of the unknown richness of Kyoto's natural environment and the aesthetic sense of the people who live there.


A new attempt at gastronomy

 

Personally, if I were to add to the appeal of Aman Kyoto, it would be the high potential of its food. The light dishes prepared by Kentaro Torii, the executive chef of ``The Living Pavilion by Aman'' located within the facility, are sure to please your heart and soul with Kyoto ingredients and seasonal flavors, while bringing in innovative expressions. Torii has been able to serve as a base for its activities overseas, including Italy, France, and Singapore, and seems to be able to satisfy guests from all over the world with its wide variety of attractions. Even if you stay for a long time, you won't get bored.

 

 

Chef Kentaro Torii's specialty dish. Kyoto's version of ``fish and chips'' made with fresh fish wrapped in kadaib and fried. Create your own creative dishes based on Italian cuisine. Chef Kentaro Torii's specialty dish. Kyoto's version of ``fish and chips'' made with fresh fish wrapped in kadaib and fried. Create your own creative dishes based on Italian cuisine.

Chef Kentaro Torii's specialty dish. Aman Kyoto's version of "Fish & Chips" is fresh fish wrapped in kadaib and fried. He creates his own creative dishes based on Western cuisine.

The all-day dining venue ``The Living Pavilion by Aman'' overlooks a beautiful garden. The all-day dining venue ``The Living Pavilion by Aman'' overlooks a beautiful garden.

The all-day dining venue ``The Living Pavilion by Aman'' overlooks a beautiful garden.

Speaking of gastronomic experiences, there is the attached Japanese restaurant ``Takaan''. In April 2020, Shinichiro Takagi, the owner of Zeniya, a long-established restaurant in Kanazawa, was appointed executive chef and has begun a new challenge in Japanese cuisine. Takagi had experience training at Kyoto Kitcho, and later studied abroad in the United States before becoming the second-generation owner of his family's Zeniya, where he continues to propose original cuisine and service to traditional restaurants. However, at Takaan, you can experience the original way of enjoying kaiseki cuisine, with a hospitality that emphasizes the ``live feeling behind the counter'' and ``communication.'' In a good way, it removes the hurdles that domestic and international guests have when entering a kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto.

Incorporating creativity not only in the food, but also in the selection of utensils and presentation. Incorporating creativity not only in the food, but also in the selection of utensils and presentation.

Incorporating creativity not only in the food, but also in the selection of utensils and presentation.

Takaan consists of a comfortable counter and table seats. It's also appealing to be able to see the food being prepared across the counter. Takaan consists of a comfortable counter and table seats. It's also appealing to be able to see the food being prepared across the counter.

Takaan consists of a comfortable counter and table seats. It's also appealing to be able to see the food being prepared across the counter.

What's more, ``Takaan'' is open to not only hotel guests but also foreign guests. Since the number of guests is not limited, we can expect the restaurant to be featured in guidebooks such as Michelin and the ``50 Best Restaurants in Asia'' in the future.

 

However, personally, I would like you to stay at Aman Kyoto and experience not only the garden environment but also the delicious food.

The guest rooms follow the style of traditional Japanese inns, but are modernized and incorporate features to help you become one with nature. The guest rooms follow the style of traditional Japanese inns, but are modernized and incorporate features to help you become one with nature.

The guest rooms follow the style of traditional Japanese inns, but are modernized and incorporate features to help you become one with nature.

Amane Kyoto

1 Washimine-cho, Okitayama, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture

Takanori Nakamura Takanori Nakamura

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Takanori Nakamura

columnist. Born in Hayama Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. She is active in newspapers, magazines, and TV with themes of fashion, gourmet, wine, travel, and lifestyle. She currently serves as the Japan Council Chair for the World's 50 Best Restaurants. He is a 7th degree Kendo teacher. He is a tea ceremony professor at the Dainippon Tea Ceremony Society. His books include ``Pilgrimage training through famous restaurant recipes'' (Sekai Bunkasha) and co-authored ``The Cigar Life'' (Ota Publications).


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