This luxury Kyoto hotel is a quiet sanctuary shaped by 800 years of history

The Four Seasons Kyoto is the perfect place to escape the city and relax, finds Niki Cottrell

May 20, 2026 - 21:15

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This luxury Kyoto hotel is a quiet sanctuary shaped by 800 years of history

In Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, this Four Seasons outpost is close to the city’s iconic temples while having the rare privilege of being set around an 800-year-old pond garden. It delivers on quiet luxury and is rooted in a sense of place

Location

Four Seasons Kyoto sits in the Higashiyama district, one of the city’s most charming and well-preserved areas, where traditional streets wind past wooden townhouses and centuries-old temples.

Nearby are two major airports: Osaka Itami (closest for domestic flights) and Kansai International, for those travelling from abroad. From Osaka Itami airport, take the Airport Limousine Bus to Kyoto Station (Hachijoguchi exit), then it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to the hotel. If arriving from Kansai International, the Haruka Express train will take you directly to Kyoto Station, which is also a 10-minute taxi ride away.

Tucked on a quiet road, the Four Seasons feels like a peaceful hideaway, though many of the city’s most iconic sights are within reach. The Kiyomizu-dera temple can be reached on a scenic 25-minute walk through shop-lined lanes, while the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine is around 20 minutes away by car.

The Higashiyama Shichijo bus stop is a five-minute walk away and Kyoto Station under 15, both of which allow you to reach Nara Park, Kuramakibunecho or the Arashiyama bamboo forest for day trips.

The vibe

The hotel centres around a historic pond garden

The hotel centres around a historic pond garden (Four Seasons)

The hotel is built around the Shakusui-en, a 12th-century ikeniwa (or pond garden). The hotel mirrors the vibe of Kyoto itself: quiet, intentional and deeply considered.

Light filters through tall windows, reflecting off wood and stone, with the historic garden acting as a constant backdrop. It feels contemporary yet grounded in tradition.

Due to the height restrictions for architecture in the district, the hotel has a low-rise structure with four storeys above ground and another three underground.

The hotel introduces itself through a living room-style space just off the entrance. Sofas, bookshelves, self-serve tea facilities and carefully curated artwork make it feel more like a private residence or art gallery, rather than a lobby.

The service

Check-in took less than five minutes, and when confirming the details of my stay with reception I was presented with chocolate and tea. Communication was seamless throughout my stay, with all staff I came into contact with speaking fluent English as well as Japanese.

The little details are what really made this hotel experience stand out. After travelling through Japan in peak summer heat, the twice-daily laundry service felt especially thoughtful.

Bed and bath

Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in

Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in (Four Seasons)

There are 180 rooms. Deluxe is the entry-level category, and these have views of the courtyard or Myoho-in Temple grounds. I stayed in a Heritage Garden Room overlooking the Shakusui-en pond garden. Guests can request a plush or firm topper to adjust their mattress for added comfort. There is also a pillow menu that ranges from body pillows to horse hair or hypoallergenic.

The decor style is refined yet warm. The use of natural wood and stone creates a calm foundation, lifted by subtle flashes of purple and lime on the carpets and cushions.

Deluxe rooms come with a work desk, seating area and sofa bed, and higher categories have a fully separate living room space.

Bathrooms – accessed by sliding doors – feature double sinks, a separate bath and shower, and a Japanese bidet toilet.

Food and drink

Emba Kyoto Grill focuses on wood-fired cooking

Emba Kyoto Grill focuses on wood-fired cooking (Four Seasons Kyoto)

Sushi Ginza Onodera offers an intimate omakase-style sushi experience with Chef Takuya Kubo, with the opportunity to book a private room or make reservations for the 10-seat private chef’s table.

The elevated Emba Kyoto Grill and Steakhouse specialises in wood-fired cooking with a modern edge. Guests can choose between an la carte or a seasonal set menu. Mine included Ebisu pumpkin soup with gingerbread cookies and yuzu cream – an unexpected favourite – and Japanese beef tenderloin with bearnaise sauce.

Breakfast is served at Emba Kyoto Grill. For 700 JPY (£32.59), guests can choose one made-to-order main dish, such as free-range eggs benedict with salmon, along with items from the breakfast bar, which includes Western and traditional Japanese options, such as squid okonomiyaki and grilled eel.

The kitchen was able to accommodate dietary requirements, including providing dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.

Facilities

The spa at Four Seasons Kyoto

The spa at Four Seasons Kyoto (Four Seasons)

Below ground, the wellness area unfolds across two floors. There is a 20-metre indoor pool, two large whirlpools and cabana-style loungers lined up around the pool, along with an ofuro (a traditional Japanese soaking bathtub) and sauna – all open from 7am to 9pm.

The hotel’s spa, Kyo no Iyashi, is open from 10am to 10pm daily and offers seven treatment rooms. There is a focus on local ingredients. The bamboo ritual uses warm bamboo sticks and healing oils to relieve deep muscle tension, while the sake baths (where premium rice sake is added to a hot mineral water bath) are designed to soothe and relax.

The highlight of the garden space (a short walk away from the main hotel building) is the tea house, Shakusui-tei, with outdoor seating just above the Shakusui-en pond. I recommend the uji matcha shaved ice in summer, plus there’s a wide range of teas and sake (I recommend ordering the tasting menu for a full experience).

In addition, there are various cultural experiences that allow you to get a taste of the city from inside the hotel. These span everything from Maiko performances to sushi masterclasses and tea ceremonies.

Accessibility

The hotel has two wheelchair-accessible entrances. In addition, there are lifts to get to the different floors, and a designated wheelchair-accessible room which features wider sliding doors, an accessible shower, a toilet with handrails and lowered sinks.

Pet policy

Cats and dogs up to 6kg are allowed for a fee of 18,975 yen (£90) per stay. Food and water bowls are available. Pets cannot be left unattended at any point.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 3pm to midnight; check-out is before noon.

Family-friendly?

Yes. The hotel is very family-friendly with a kids’ menus and a playroom in the wellness centre. Families with children are welcome to use the pool from 9am to 7pm daily. There’s also a scavenger hunt map given to children upon arrival, koi feeding and specific cultural experiences like origami making sessions.