The Hotel Higashiyama by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Contemporary Japanese minimalism with modern-ryokan sensibility. Clean lines, natural materials, garden views. Smart but not flashy. Cultural programming runs deep through the 'Kyoto Iroha' experience program.
Book the private spa rooms in advance — they fill quickly and are the best way to experience Japanese bathing culture in total privacy
Why It Matters
Built on the site of a 100-year-old elementary school and opened in 2022 as an independent property, it rebranded as a Pan Pacific soft-brand in January 2025. The hotel is one of the few luxury properties in the historic Higashiyama district. Its 'Kyoto Iroha' program — covering everything from kimono dressing to special Chion-in temple viewings — is more curated and substantive than most hotel cultural menus.
A 143-room luxury hotel that opened in July 2022 on the former grounds of a century-old Kyoto elementary school. The design draws heavily from the nearby Gion Shirakawa River area — think clean Japanese minimalism layered over modern comfort, with rooms arranged around a central garden courtyard. It's positioned as a kind of contemporary ryokan: the craftsmanship and cultural programming feel genuine rather than performative, and the location in Higashiyama puts you within walking distance of Shoren-in Temple, Chion-in, and the Gion district.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Awata Suite
From JPY55,000 / night58 sqm suite on the 5th floor named after the Awataguchi area, one of Kyoto's historic seven entrances. Separate living and dining area from the bedroom. All suites are designed with Japanese-style floors with beds, long dining tables and kitchenettes — this is where the hotel genuinely earns its modern-ryokan label.
King · 58 sqm
Deluxe Room
From JPY26,000 / nightRanges from 24–32 sqm. Minimalist surroundings with traditional Japanese design elements and modern sensibilities. Good step up from Superior if you want more breathing room. Same eco-friendly amenities and garden-facing options.
28 sqmExecutive Room
From JPY37,000 / night35–47 sqm with a Japanese-inspired decor, ideal for up to three guests. The hotel's largest standard room category — proper space to spread out after a long day of temple-hopping. Good for solo travelers who want to work comfortably, or families with one child.
King · 41 sqmOkazaki Suite
From JPY55,000 / night61 sqm. Named after the Okazaki area and its canal. Richly decorated living and dining area with a separate master bedroom. Slightly more elaborate decor than the Awata Suite. Good if you need space to entertain or work in a distinct room from where you sleep.
King · 61 sqmPan Pacific Suite
From JPY105,000 / nightThe flagship at 85 sqm. Large dining area, separate bedroom, and the full suite of luxury amenities. This is what the hotel was built to show off — substantial space, premium finishes, and full Kyoto cultural immersion from a genuinely impressive room. Rates from ¥105,000 per night.
King · 85 sqmPremier Room
From JPY32,000 / night28–41 sqm. The sweet spot for most guests — one reviewer staying in the Premier King described it as 'very spacious and well-appointed at about 28-30 sqm.' Contemporary design with Japanese accents, tub and standing shower zone, hard mattresses (a recurring note from guests who prefer softer beds).
King or Double · 34 sqmShirakawa Suite
From JPY55,000 / night65 sqm. Named after the Shirakawa River that runs through Gion. Unique decor distinguishes it from the other junior suites. Private separate dining area and bedroom. The largest of the three 'entry-level' suite categories before jumping to the Pan Pacific Suite.
King · 65 sqmSuperior Room
From JPY24,000 / nightThe entry-level room is cosy but honestly a bit small at 21–25 sqm — one guest on TripAdvisor compared it to a well-executed Japanese capsule experience. In-room tea set, eco-friendly amenities, inner courtyard views. Fits two guests comfortably if you're not heavy packers.
23 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Hands-on wagashi (Japanese sweets) making experience at Kanshundo, a renowned Kyoto confectionery. Visual and delicious.
Print on traditional Kyo Karakami woodblock patterns, then tour the studio where these decorative papers have been made for centuries.
Experience the 'painting' stage of traditional Kyoto folding fan (sensu) making — color in a fan using traditional techniques.
Experience Kyoto ware pottery on an electric potter's wheel at the Benimura Kiln on Chawanzaka (Teapot Lane) near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Includes workshop visit.
A relaxed kimono dressing experience available directly in your guest room. Rental and dressing assistance included — walk the Higashiyama temple trails in proper style.
The hotel's signature program offering curated access to authentic Kyoto cultural experiences. A wide menu of options including traditional crafts, guided tours, and special temple viewings.
Experience the meditative practice of shakyo (sutra copying) at Mibu Temple. A rare traditional cultural access point arranged through the hotel.
Tea ceremony experiences and lectures held at the hotel's in-house tea bar, operated by historic Gion Tsujiri tea house (est. 1860). Book in advance.
An outdoor foot bath for guests. Complimentary use. Perfect for winding down after covering miles of Kyoto's stone-paved temple paths on foot.
Guided tour of the Higashiyama area through the four seasons with an experienced rickshaw driver. One of the more distinctive ways to take in the preserved streets around the hotel.
Behind-the-scenes guided viewing experience at Chion-in, one of Kyoto's most important Buddhist temples. Not available to the general public — this is arranged exclusively through the hotel.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
In-room and common area wireless internet included for all guests. Speed reported at 50+ Mbps.
Fitness room with modern exercise machines on the 1st floor. Open 6:00am–8:00pm. Note: multiple guest reviews flag the gym as small relative to the size of the hotel.
All rooms include a mini bar (coffee & tea set), full bathroom amenities, and a complimentary skin care set.
Central garden courtyard around which the hotel's rooms are oriented. Outdoor terrace area accessible to guests.
Multi-purpose recreation space on the 1st floor housing a gym, self-service laundry, and a library stocked with books on Kyoto culture. The full Utility Room is accessible 24 hours; gym hours are 6am–8pm.
Multi-lingual staff available around the clock. Concierge services include cultural activity bookings, transportation arrangements, and luggage storage.
Professional dry cleaning and laundry service available. Self-service laundry also available in the Utility Room on the 1st floor.
Luggage storage available for guests departing before or after checkout. Several guests note the concierge will also arrange luggage forwarding to other parts of Japan.
The hotel gift shop, curated by the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. Features exclusively handmade items — a genuinely good place to buy local artisan pieces rather than generic souvenirs. Open 10am–7pm.
Complimentary hourly shuttle bus service between the hotel and JR Kyoto Station. Departs from the hotel at 25 minutes past each hour, 8:00am–8:00pm. Eliminates any need to navigate the subway with heavy bags.
BUILD YOUR THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA BY KYOTO TOKYU HOTEL, A PAN PACIFIC HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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