Located on Mount Ryozen, between Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji, the world's leading resort and hotel brand, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, opened in August 2024. Featuring 8 luxurious guest rooms, the popular Banyan Tree Spa, and two unique dining options, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto promises experiences and time that can only be found here.
Banyan Tree is a popular resort hotel that is admired around the world.
The origins of Banyan Tree date back to 1984, when the founder of Banyan Tree acquired 550 acres of former tin mine land in Bang Tao Bay, Phuket, Thailand, and planted over 7,000 trees to purify the contaminated land, improving the acidic soil over a period of 10 years.
In 1994, Laguna Phuket, Asia's first integrated resort, was born, including Banyan Tree Phuket, the flagship resort of the Banyan Tree Group. Laguna Phuket is centered around a large seaside lagoon, and currently has nine luxury resort hotels and villas lined up, with golf courses and restaurants scattered nearby, making it Phuket's premier luxury resort. Further development is still ongoing.
In addition, as a symbol of its global resort brand, the company has opened a series of resorts in scenic locations, historical sacred sites, beautiful beaches, and resort islands around the world, and is committed to sustainable development, including revitalizing local areas, protecting the environment, and giving back to the local community.
A stay in the popular tourist destination of Kyoto where you can immerse yourself in traditional Japanese beauty
So, it is interesting to wonder what kind of world view the Banyan Tree Group has created in Kyoto.
After climbing a steep slope, you will reach a hilltop with a panoramic view of Kyoto city. There you will come across a beautiful wooden main gate made with traditional Japanese techniques. It is the entrance to a quiet space and special time away from the hustle and bustle.
Although it is within walking distance of Gion's tourist attractions, it is surrounded by tranquility away from the hustle and bustle.
The natural wooden gate at the hotel entrance.
The concept that Banyan Tree has set forth as the traditional Japanese beauty is "Yugen," a word that expresses profound mystery, and is a concept that is deeply connected to Noh, having been used frequently in Noh texts left by Zeami, such as "Fushikaden" and "Hanakyo."
Symbolizing this concept, the hotel grounds are home to three gardens and a bamboo grove that take advantage of a 12m difference in elevation, including a Noh stage called "The Noh Stage" designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates.
The Noh Stage is located in the center of the hotel grounds.
Hotel lobby.
This Noh stage, a structure made entirely of timber, blends in with the surrounding bamboo forest and the sky, exuding a unique architectural beauty. Its appearance floating on the water basin seems like a space that transcends time and space, and also the boundary between the human world and the natural world.
Speaking of the sacred mountain area of Higashiyama, there is Otani Sobyo to the north of the site and a place called Toribeno to the south, which has long been considered a barrier separating this world from the afterlife. Even today, there are many temples and shrines in this area, and unlike the bustle of the city, it maintains a sacred silence.
A fusion of Japanese aesthetics and Banyan Tree's sensibility in pursuit of relaxation
Next, let's take a look at the guest rooms.
Based on the hotel's concept of "mysterious and profound," the theme of the guest rooms is a passage from the Noh play "Fushikaden," titled "Hisureba Hana" (A secret flower). The rooms are decorated with traditional Japanese techniques, including large Japanese cypress bathtubs and tatami mats, and gold leaf accents.
"Serenity Double".
The double vanity unit at "ONSEN Retreat."
"Grand ONSEN Retreat".
An open-air bath with "natural hot springs."
This was once the site of Hotel Ryozen, a long-established inn with a hot spring source, which is rare in Kyoto, and the hotel draws natural hot spring water, including some of the guest rooms called "ONSEN" rooms, which have natural hot spring water. There is also a large public bath called "Natural Hot Spring" that is available only to guests. In addition to the indoor bath, you can also enjoy an open-air bath.
Banyan Tree Spa has four single rooms and two double rooms.
He is also very interested in food. At his signature dining restaurant, Ryozen, he serves banquet meals and Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients. Enjoy the rich broth made from Rishiri kelp that has been aged for five years, which matches the pure soft water of Kyoto, and use Kyoto vegetables and seasonings unique to Kyoto. A healthy dining experience that stimulates all five senses awaits.
In addition, the hideaway bar "BAR RYOZEN" with only 20 seats offers more than 30 types of Kyoto local sake and premium sake, including rare sake that is not distributed outside the prefecture, as well as original flavors such as cocktails made with local ingredients such as the RYOZEN Matcha Gin and Tonic and Mirin Breeze.
Ryozen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cuisine that expresses the beautiful Japanese aesthetic sense.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto also arranges Japanese cultural experiences for its guests, offering premium experiences that are one of the best parts of travel, such as visiting a Noh mask maker's studio or participating in a private incense ceremony.
Away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto, you can experience the space and time created by Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto and quietly experience the true charm of the ancient capital, Kyoto.
Text by Yuko Taniguchi
7 Seikanji Ryozencho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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