Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto: Kyoto’s Most Serene New Luxury Hotel

High above Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, surrounded by bamboo groves, ancient temples, and forested mountain slopes, stands one of Japan’s most captivating new luxury hotels. Opened on August 1, 2024, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is the first Banyan Tree property in Japan and has quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after luxury retreats. Nestled on the mountainside in the beautiful Higashiyama area, the hotel feels wonderfully secluded, yet some of Kyoto’s most famous temples are just minutes away.

As the first Banyan Tree property in Japan, the resort was conceived as a sanctuary inspired by the Japanese concept of yūgen – a subtle, mysterious beauty that reveals itself gradually. Surrounded by bamboo groves and the rolling Higashiyama hills, the property embodies this philosophy at every turn. With only 52 rooms and suites, it feels intimate, exclusive, and deeply personal.

From the moment we arrived, the hotel immediately transported us into the spirit of Japan. The lobby feels more like an elegant modern ryokan than a traditional luxury hotel.

During check-in, we were welcomed with delicious matcha while a musician played the koto, Japan’s national instrument. The delicate sound of the strings drifting through the serene space created one of those rare travel moments that instantly captures the essence of Kyoto.

The architecture throughout the property is stunning. The exterior combines sleek black matte walls with vertical wooden details crafted from hinoki cypress, a wood revered in Japanese culture for its aromatic properties and sacred associations with Shinto shrines.

Inside, warm woods, natural stone, and traditional craftsmanship create a profound sense of tranquility. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame gardens, bamboo groves, and mountain views, while natural materials soften every corner of the hotel.

Our room was spacious, peaceful, and beautifully designed. Large windows looked directly onto the hotel’s bamboo forest, making nature feel like an extension of the room itself. Every room features tatami flooring, whose subtle natural scent immediately creates a feeling of calm and connection to Japanese culture. The sleeping areas are furnished with beds dressed in natural cotton linens, but the rooms also include low chabudai-style seating areas, where guests can sit on cushions placed directly on the tatami, drinking tea or simply contemplating the view.

A handcrafted wooden bathtub made from fragrant Hiba cypress served as the centerpiece of the room. Hiba, a wood native to northern Japan, possesses natural antibacterial properties and releases a complex, forest-like aroma when filled with hot water. As evening settled over the mountains, there was nothing more peaceful than soaking in the warm bath while gazing out toward the bamboo forest and greenery beyond. The hotel also provides elegant robes, traditional Japanese sandals, and wooden baskets, allowing guests to move around the property in true ryokan style.

Another highlight is the hotel’s natural thermal onsen, fed by the property’s own hot spring. The spring water, naturally heated as it rises through volcanic rock, is known for its beneficial effects on muscle pain and skin conditions – therapeutic properties recognized in Japan for centuries. Several guest rooms feature private onsen baths, an extraordinary luxury typically found only at remote mountain ryokans. These Onsen Retreat rooms overlook intimate courtyard gardens or the bamboo grove and Noh stage, offering guests a deeply private and rejuvenating experience.

The wellness experience extends beyond the hot springs. Guests can enjoy yoga sessions in the Bamboo Pavilion, a remarkable structure designed for Noh performances. Practicing yoga on a stage surrounded by bamboo that rustles with each breeze creates a unique connection between contemporary wellness and ancient Japanese aesthetics. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center for guests wishing to maintain their exercise routines.

Dining at Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto was exceptional. Breakfast offers a choice between traditional Japanese and American options, both beautifully presented and prepared with care. Dinner at Ryozen Restaurant was a true highlight. The restaurant embraces the philosophy of kaiseki, transforming seasonal ingredients into edible works of art.

Each course was meticulously presented, showcasing the precision and beauty that define Kyoto cuisine. The restaurant works directly with local farms, organic tea producers, and fishermen from nearby Wakayama Prefecture, ensuring that every dish reflects the region’s rich culinary heritage.

One of the most unique experiences at the hotel can be found in its private bamboo forest. Guests are invited to write a wish on a small piece of paper and tie it to the bamboo. Standing among the towering stalks, listening to the gentle rustling of leaves, it feels like a moment of reflection and gratitude – a simple yet beautiful tradition that perfectly captures the spirit of the property.

One morning, we left the hotel just after sunrise and walked through the quiet streets of Higashiyama to Kiyomizu-dera. Reaching one of Japan’s most revered temples on foot from the hotel felt like a privilege and underscored the property’s extraordinary location. Few luxury hotels offer such immediate access to Kyoto’s cultural treasures while maintaining such a profound sense of seclusion.

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is more than a luxury hotel. It is a place where modern comfort meets centuries-old traditions, where architecture, wellness, cuisine, and culture come together in perfect harmony. Peaceful, elegant, and deeply authentic, this sanctuary offers one of the most immersive and transformative ways to experience the essence of Kyoto.