Historic Serenity
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto fuses modern luxury with tradition in stately surroundings.
Location matters. When Takahira Mitsui built his Kyoto residence in the late 17th century, he chose a spot adjacent to Nijo Castle.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the castle hosted an array of imperial and shogunal guests after its completion in 1603. This made the district a natural choice for the second-generation head of the Kitake, the executive branch of the Mitsui family.
While the residence is gone, key relics remain. These include Kajiimiya Gate, lovingly restored to its previous glory and which now frames the entrance to Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, a stunning 161-room property, which opened in November 2020.
Member Stuart Sowder says location is important when he and his husband, Rusty Yuson, choose where to stay. And when they visited for a weekend in June with their 17-year-old twins, Lucas and Lyla, they knew they had selected well.
“We enjoyed a special corner suite with an amazing view of the front gate and the tower of Nijo Castle,” Sowder says.
Image: Rusty Yuson (left) and Stuart Sowder with their twins, Lyla and Lucas
Yuson cites a stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens as a highlight of the stay. Designed by landscape designer Shunsaku Miyagi, the tranquil courtyard space is a recreation of the one that formed the centerpiece of the former Mitsui residence. It blends traditional and modern aspects of the Japanese art form that is evident across Japan’s former imperial capital.
This serenity can also be found inside the hotel, where the Thermal Spring uses geothermal waters sourced from a spring 1,000 meters beneath the hotel to create an oasis designed to soothe all five senses.
“The Thermal Spring is gorgeous,” says Member Blanka Kobayashi, who stayed at the hotel with her family in September. “We planned our days to ensure we could visit the spa daily. It has a wonderful design with rest beds directly by the pools, so you can lie down with your legs in the warm water. The upscale design is very calming.”
Sowder and Yuson say they often mark milestone occasions, such as a 50th birthday, with an exclusive hotel stay. They chose Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto because of their experiences at the Mitsui Fudosan-run Halekulani properties.
“We love both the Halekulani Okinawa and Waikiki,” Sowder says.
How did Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto compare?
“It is a luxury experience in every way and a wonderful blend of historic and modern architecture,” Sowder says. “The gardens were serene and affirming. The hospitality was world-class—with absolute attention to the littlest detail—and everyone was so friendly and helpful.”
Kobayashi echoes the sentiment: “It was one of the most beautiful and enjoyable hotel stays we’ve had. It’s a prime location, so it’s the perfect home base for sightseeing.”
