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The recently opened Rokusen Hotel Kyoto is the brand's debut in Japan. "The design of the hotel fits well with our placemaking philosophy of delving into local legends, culture, traditions and art. It takes us back to the Heian Period (794-1185 AD) in Japan, when the concept of Miyabi played an important role in Japanese art." said Clint Nagata, founder of Singapore-based design firm BLINK Design Group.
🤗 Recreating the Heian Period in Kyoto
Located in Higashiyama-ku, Hotel Rokusen Kyoto is in the neighborhood of Myokoji and Tokyo Kokusai Shrine, close to the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, and about an 18-20 minute walk to Gion. It taps into the city's millennia-old cultural wisdom, from references to traditional Yasushi aesthetics to the implantation of contemporary craftsmanship to the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
The mood changes as soon as you cross the hotel's temple-like wooden threshold - the cited white foil paneling, carefully woven by centuries-old Kyoto artisan Nishimura Shokubo, reflects the hues of the sunlight, and natural light floods the main lobby space overlooking the large courtyard garden.
Depicted on the walls of the long ash wood front desk are 504 colorful tiles, crafted over a two-year period by ceramic artisan Yoshimura Rakunyu. The artwork captures abstract variations of orange and green, reminiscent of nearby Mount Kama, the birthplace of Reiki and one of the scenes depicted in the Japanese classic, The Tale of Genji.
The high ceilings reflect organic undulations, hinting at the early Japanese folding book orihon. A whimsical artwork on a metal wall sculpture is a modern interpretation of the "Chōjū-giga" (Animal Frolic Scrolls), considered the first manga (graphic novel) in Japanese history.
The spa blends Zen philosophy and modern science, with the sound of water, flower arrangements and Zen-inspired rocks complemented by a rich palette of natural materials and soft, nature-friendly curves, and each treatment room is inspired by the five senses, complete with wind chimes, rock gardens, incense and moss walls. Highlights include the Ah-un treatment, unique to Kyoto, which symbolizes the pursuit of inner peace, balance and awakening through a series of rituals and coordinated body and sound therapies.
The air is filled with the hotel's signature scent - a warm Japanese wood and citrus scent crafted by Tomoko Saito Aromatique Studio.
Watsu (water fitness) relieves physical and mental tension through hydrotherapy moves and stretches in a dedicated pool. For those seeking smart solutions to help recover from travel, the adjacent Biohack Recovery Lounge is equipped with state-of-the-art recovery equipment such as compression therapy.
The farm-to-table restaurant, inspired by the concept of the 24 seasons, offers a range of wholesome, contemporary cuisine that incorporates traditional Japanese culinary wisdom, with menus crafted in the bustling open kitchen using locally sourced and grown ingredients, and regularly changed to reflect the various micro-seasons of the year.
The hotel showcases sustainability through culture, community and ecology. Urban sustainability means collaborating and making connections, from the shrine next door to a seventh-generation farm outside Kyoto, where organic farming techniques have been passed down from ancestors to provide the hotel with the best seasonal produce. Kitchen waste is composted to feed the beautiful gardens and herbs are grown for the kitchen and spa.
The hotel aims to blend in with the fabric of Kyoto and offers the perfect vantage point to explore the city's exciting history and thriving culture. The Sustainability Fund, which comes from 0.5% of the hotel's revenue, is earmarked for projects that have a positive impact on the local community and natural environment.
🤗 Tradition is fun
The 81 rooms are built around a central courtyard, designed to connect guests to nature and the changing seasons within. The views from the rooms will be differentiated into garden and city views. Basic Courtyard rooms will have views of the central courtyard, while Superior, Deluxe and Junior Suite City rooms will have city views. Garden View Junior Suites and Suites face Toyokuni Shrine and the garden.
Drawing inspiration from Japan's millennia-old culture of yakuza, the design expresses the infinite variations of the seasons and weather, as well as the interplay of light and shadow throughout the day. The hotel is centered on traditional Japanese materials, with time-honored materials woven throughout the hotel's interior - from Sakan (traditional Japanese plasterwork) and ceramic tiles to woodwork and metal details.
Additional layers are achieved through live edge detailing, sudare shutters, recycled washi paper, Hikihaku weaving, natural stone flooring, and biophilic elements such as pocket gardens, hanging plants, and centuries-old flowers that utilize centuries-old floral practices.
Wooden walls with reversible panels made of natural and red-lacquered wood separate bathrooms and bedrooms; woven copper lamps are made by Kyoto-based manufacturer Kanaamitsuji; a huge abstract white moon painting hides a large TV; and Japanese sudare window screens filter sunlight.
All bedrooms are equipped with the Six Good Sleep service, which promotes restful sleep through customized organic mattresses, temperature-regulated pillows, comforters and organic cotton sheets. For those seeking to further optimize the quality of their sleep, sleep aids and programs are also available through a personalized sleep consultation that combines information from the resident's sleep tracker with palliative care, nutritional guidance and low-impact training.
- Author:japan guides
- URL:https://japan-guides.com/article/lodging-6
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