Ease your mind and body with a uniquely Kyoto experience

There’s something in the water that’s just calming and therapeutic.

Your body and mind will be at ease upon entering an onsen, a hot spring where water vapours come naturally from the earth.

There’s a uniqueness to the onsen at Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan. It can be described as a soft water that can disarm and ease you at the same time, relaxing your mind, body and soul.

Hotel general manager Manabu Kusui explains the source of its onsen is 1,000 metres below the hotel’s surface and is a rarity as there are not a lot of them in the city.

“It’s not really common to have onsens (in the city center),” said Kusui. “People who come to Kyoto usually go out for sightseeing all day. When we were drafting this hotel, we wanted to create something unique.

“(Travellers) tend to be tired (after sightseeing). So we dug 1,000 metres down under and found an onsen.”

Kuisui noted the on-site hot spring water is unique and wanted to make it something special to make HTMK stand out.

There are two ways to experience onsen at the hotel.

Two private onsens are located in the luxury hotel’s spa, which also includes a therapeutic thermal spring. Booked for one-hour sessions, these onsens include a traditional bathing/shower area commonly found in bathhouses, a vanity station to doll yourself, and a lounge area where you can relax after the onsen experience.

However, if you want an even more private experience, guests can book a stay in the onsen suite, which has a personal hot spring so you can relax and bathe without ever leaving their room.

Some believe that once there’s a crack in the foundation, it can’t be rejuvenated.

That’s certainly not the case for pottery, where filling in a simple crack with gold and lacquer can bring new life and beauty into ceramics. In Japan, this process is known as kintsugi, an ancient craft that’s now celebrated for its sustainability by repairing and restoring a unique piece of art.

Visitors to the Tokinoha Ceramic Studio (tokinoha.jp) in Kyoto can learn the art of kintsugi and repair ceramic pieces that they can take home as a unique souvenir. The workshop is very interactive as visitors learn about pottery restoration.

Led by master potter Daisuke Shimizu, Tokinoha is a studio where you’ll find beautiful ceramic art created via a modern take of Kiyomizu pottery, which finds its origins in the Momoyama period (between 1568 and 1600). Shimizu’s take on Kiyomizu blends both traditional and contemporary techniques.

Pottery from Tokinoha can be found in many restaurants locally such as Toki, located within Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto.

NIJO CASTLE — It’s not every day you can visit a castle in the heart of a modern city.

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 and was once the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun (military leader) of the Edo Period (1603-1868). After the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1867, the castle later became an imperial castle before it was donated to the city of Kyoto and designated a historic site.

The castle grounds itself are made up of two Kuruwa (strong walls), the Ninomaru Palace, the remains of the Honmaru Palace, and various buildings and several beautiful gardens that are lined with plum and cherry blossom trees.

Visitors can explore the castle grounds freely or pick up an English guide rental at the entrance for a more cultured self-guided tour.

KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE — Founded more than 1,250 years ago, Kiyomizu-Dera is a Buddhist temple situated on Mount Otowa, a peak on the Higashiyama mountains.

The temple was created in 778 in the late Nara period by Nara priest Enchin Shonin. It’s popular with locals and visitors alike as they come to pay respect to Kannon, a mercy and compassion deity.

While at the temple, one can climb the steps, turn around and enjoy the incredible skyline view of Kyoto and nearby Osaka.

Depending on the time of year, visitors can take in the cherry blossom bloom in the spring or the beautiful autumn leaves in the fall.

SIGHTSEEING IN ARASHIYAMA — The city of Kyoto is a special mix of traditional and modern Japan. A great place to get a perfect balance of both is by exploring the Arashiyama district in west Kyoto. 

A popular attraction for tourists, Arashiyama is known for several destinations, including the Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple, Kameyama-koen Park, and the breathtaking Bamboo Grove to name a few. It can all be explored by foot, or by rickshaw courtesy of Ebisuya Rickshaw (ebisuya.com).

HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO — This perfectly balances Japanese traditions, luxury and being one with the environment.

Located adjacent to Nijo-jo Castle in the heart of Kyoto, Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto (hotelthemitsui.com) is a sanctuary that’s rich with tradition. The hotel can be best described as a modern take on a traditional Japanese tea room, boasting 160 rooms made of natural materials that give guests the perfect spot to unwind and relax in luxury.

The Mitsui Kyoto is located on the Mitsui family’s former estate, which was maintained for 250 years. The hotel curates a refined experience for guests by showcasing the country’s traditions, architecture, crafts and cuisine.

The best features are the onsen, a private hot spring where guests can unwind in a relaxing bathing experience, and the thermal spring, where guests can immerse themselves in the calming spring water.

To further the relaxation experience with yoga or meditation, one can do so at the hotel’s beautiful 1,300-square-metre courtyard garden, which landscape architect Shunsaku Miyagi designed. Reflecting the deep respect for Kyoto, the garden is a modern recreation of one that once graced the Mitsui residence.

Spearheaded by head chef Tetsuya Asano, Toki’s menu boasts a culinary artistry of Kyoto with dishes made from seasonal ingredients. Forni is the hotel’s Italian restaurant, where diners can munch on grill dishes and authentic pizza or enjoy a hearty breakfast menu in the morning.

Have a drink (or two) and watch the sunset before dinner at The Garden Bar. It’s a great place to reflect on your experiences after a day of exploring Kyoto.

Shiki-No-Ma is a faithful recreation of part of the Mitsui family home. This is the place you go to have exquisite dining experiences or traditional tea ceremonies. One may even witness music and dance performances by geiko.

THE TOKYO EDITION — While Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is steeped in history, the skyscrapers that adorn the skyline speak of its modernity.

A place that has an amazing view of the city is the The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon, a boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Tokyo’s Toranomon district.

Upon arriving in Japan via Narita International Airport, there’s no reason why you can’t make a pit stop in Tokyo and stay at The Edition before heading to Kyoto.

Boasting 206 rooms with 22 suites featuring a view of the modern skyline, The Edition is a great place to enjoy the lap of luxury while pampering yourself at its spa, breaking a sweat at its futuristic gym, or wining and dining at one of its three restaurants.

Located near several subway stations and short walks to Tokyo’s popular neighbourhoods, The Edition is the perfect hub to stay and rest in before taking the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto or other parts of Japan.

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