It used to be that Aman was the only real luxury hotel in town, but now the Six Senses Kyoto has arrived. By no means are we saying you need to choose one or the other, but instead this may be a situation of “in addition to”. This spring, Six Senses Kyoto placed Six Senses in yet another iconic urban area—its first-ever Japan location. Like the culture it reflects, the hotel is all about the details. This is a first look at this new hotel in Kyoto.
Location
Six Senses Kyoto is in the Higashiyama Ward of Downtown Kyoto. It’s a year-round hotel with cherry blossoms in the spring and colorful foliage in the fall, and this season is perfect for festivals. Kyoto is also known for its temples and shrines. The city is steeped in cultural history and may help you unlock the secret to Zen we’re all looking for.
Stay
The rooms are detail-oriented and traditionally Japanese with quirky accents. Earthy colors form each room’s foundation. Sprinkle in Japanese folklore like The Moon Rabbit (a rabbit that lives on the moon and makes mochi desserts), and you’ve got amusement and comfort checked off.
There are 81 rooms and suites. Some come with balconies, and for every king bed, there is a room that offers a twin version. You can choose a city view for people watching and garden rooms for a direct view of the Toyokuni Shrine. The Premier Suite Garden King offers a private Japanese Garden, and the Three Bedroom Penthouse Suite dedicates the entire top floor to its guests. Six Senses Kyoto takes sleep seriously; every room has a pillow menu and Naturalmat mattress, but more on that later.
Dining
Remember when we said it’s all in the details? Sekki is an all-day restaurant with meals based on seasonality, but these seasons aren’t the four of the Western world. Instead, Sekki follows the 24 micro-seasons of the Japanese calendar. Japanese seasonality applies to not only your lunch but also omakase and afternoon teas. Locally sourced meals are ever-changing in the open kitchen. The same goes for Café Sekki, which has fresh morning beverages and pastries. Food events like Wagashi and fermentation classes are also available.
Perhaps the most exciting on the food list is Sushi Oga. The sushi restaurant is notorious for having reservations booked out a year in advance. To meet the demand, a second location, Sushi Oga Higashiyama, is here to stay at Six Senses Kyoto. This location is spearheaded by sushi master Chef Sakai. Your meal comes served on a collection of antique plates and cut masterfully by the experts. You can wash it all down with Japanese drinks created from homemade sodas and syrups at Nine Tails.
Wellness
It’s a rare luxury to see the source ingredients of your skincare. At Six Senses Spa, you can create your own “beauty scrubs” at the Alchemy Bar. Note that ingredients can differentiate based on the 24 Japanese seasons. You can also shop at the spa lounge store for fashion and beauty. Senses like taste and smell inspire the suite experiences. Some highlights include participating in flying yoga, enjoying curated tea blends, or using the Watsu Pool. We didn’t forget about the sleep program either. You can arrange for a sleep tracker and analysis combined with field experts’ advice on wellness to help you sleep more soundly.
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FAQs
Q: What are Nine Tails open hours?
A: Nine Tails is open from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Q: What Festivals are happening in Kyoto this summer?
A: The Festivals in Kyoto are as follows:
-Gion Matsuri: July 14-24
– Gojo-zaka Pottery Festival: Aug. 7-10
– Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji Fire Festival): Aug. 16
