HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa

HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is the first property in the HOTEL THE MITSUI brand, renowned for its ultra-luxury offerings and designed to reflect the harmony of the four seasons and five senses. Situated in the heart of Kyoto, near the historic Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 160-room hotel offers three dining venues, including the innovative TOKI, a thermal spring sourced from an on-site natural spring, and a modern tea ceremony alcove. Built on a 250-year-old site once home to the executive branch of the Mitsui family, the hotel exudes refined sophistication and serves as a cultural gateway to Kyoto. It was the first Japanese hotel to receive a Five Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide upon opening, maintaining that distinction for four consecutive years. The hotel also appears on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Gold List and is the only Kyoto property among seven in Japan to earn the Michelin Three Key distinction in 2025 for two consecutive years. It was also named in the World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2025. Room & Suite The hotel’s 160 guest rooms are a modern reinterpretation of traditional Japanese tea rooms, featuring natural materials and artisanal craftsmanship. Each room reflects the authentic beauty of Japanese design. Some suite rooms offer views of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while another includes access to a natural onsen, sourced from an on-site spring, for bathing and relaxation. Restaurant Kyoto’s rich food culture is reflected in the culinary offerings at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, where the team sources the finest ingredients from around the world and across Japan, beginning with renowned local Kyoto produce. The hotel’s dining and bar facilities include five distinct areas: TOKI, FORNI, THE GARDEN BAR, and SHIKI-NO-MA, all located around a beautifully curated garden where guests can enjoy seasonal views. TOKI Led by Chef Tetsuya Asano, Japan’s representative at the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition 2027, TOKI offers a fusion of Kyoto ingredients with French cuisine. The restaurant is known for its fond, a flavorful soup stock made with Kyoto water as a key ingredient. FORNI FORNI is an all-day dining restaurant serving a variety of Italian dishes, including oven-baked pizza and authentic grilled items. THE GARDEN BAR This space allows guests to enjoy seasonal afternoon tea or light bites with a drink, while relaxing and taking in the garden views. SHIKI-NO-MA Built from Japanese cypress, this area is ideal for exclusive dining events, meetings, and tea ceremony gatherings. Thermal Spring Spa The THERMAL SPRING SPA at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO uses natural spring water drawn from an on-site source to create a sanctuary for relaxation. The concept is that of an Oasis of Serenity, where guests can escape daily life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of spring water. The space is designed to engage the five senses through the interplay of time, sound, light, fragrance, and water. The Thermal Spring SPA has received a four-star rating in the spa category from Forbes Travel Guide 2025. Thermal Spring A natural onsen pool where guests are asked to wear swimsuits for bathing, offering a unique and deeply relaxing experience available exclusively to hotel guests and those with confirmed spa treatment reservations. Treatment The spa offers a range of unique treatments, including body therapies with original massage oils. Based on the principles of traditional Japanese Anma Massage and incorporating innovative facial treatments developed overseas, the treatments focus on Ying/Yang Balance and the Five Elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). These traditional techniques, combined with modern approaches, make the spa treatments at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO distinctive. Private Onsen The private onsen, over 100m² in size, features an enclosed wet living space and a dedicated Japanese garden, offering a uniquely Japanese experience available exclusively to hotel guests. Experience As Japan’s imperial capital for over 1000 years, Kyoto is a rich repository of Japanese history and culture. It is the birthplace of many traditional arts, including the Way of Tea and calligraphy, and remains the cultural heart of the country. Surrounded by mountains, Kyoto offers a captivating landscape throughout the year and is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient temples and shrines. At HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, guests are invited to explore the unique culture and history of this ancient capital through curated experiences. **Exclusive to hotel guests.** - **TOKINOHA Collaboration with HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO** This experience includes a visit to the TOKINOHA Ceramic Studio, where guests can tour the workshop, shop for unique items, and consult directly with Kiyomizu-san to commission custom-made pieces. Guests also have the opportunity to try their hand at kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending pottery with gold and lacquer. - **Experience Tranquility with a Bowl of Tea at CHAKYO** The Ambassadors, trained by a Mushakouji Senke tea master, perform a ryurei-style seated tea ceremony at CHAKYO. - **HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Ambassador Curated Art Tour** An Ambassador will guide guests through the hotel, highlighting significant cultural and historical items, including the Kajiimiya Gate at the entrance and the SHIKI-NO-MA room, which contains many items with a connection to the Mitsui family. - **Meditation Yoga in Private Onsen (150 minutes)** This session includes simple yoga poses, breathing exercises, and meditation with incense. After yoga, guests can enjoy a private spa bath, healthy smoothies, and vegan butter sandwiches. - **Transformative Morning Practice - Wellness Breathing** Join a wellness breathing session led by an instructor, suitable for beginners. The session takes place on the elegant wooden engawa garden-viewing corridor of the SHIKI-NO-MA room, offering a reinvigorating start to the day as the morning sun illuminates the garden.