At a glance
?
We handpick the properties we work with. Everything we do is tailor-made for our clients so when you speak to one of our team they will advise you on the best property for you.
Built around Shakusui-en, an 800-year-old pond garden, with Edomae sushi, a maiko performance series, and the temples of Higashiyama on the doorstep.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto sits in the Higashiyama district, built around Shakusui-en, an 800-year-old circuit-style pond garden that was originally laid out at the end of the Heian Period. The 10,000 sqm garden is one of the few of its kind still in existence, and the hotel is designed to open up onto it from nearly every angle.
The location puts the city’s main draws within walking or short-drive distance, including the temples of Higashiyama, the historic streets of Gion, and the geisha districts that anchor traditional Kyoto. The hotel was ranked the sixth-best in Japan in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
Rooms run from Premier Heritage Garden Rooms with direct garden views to the two-bedroom Presidential Suite on the fourth floor. Suites and residences come with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows.
More information
- Built around Shakusui-en, an 800-year-old pond garden laid out at the end of the Heian Period, with rooms and suites opening directly onto the grounds.
- Edomae omakase at Sushi Ginza Onodera, with seven to ten varieties of nigiri sourced from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market and Hokkaido.
- Live maiko performances in the lobby twice a week, with a meet-and-greet across the hotel’s restaurants afterwards.
Accommodation
Premier Heritage Garden Room
Specialty room category, with views directly onto Shakusui-en pond garden. Available with either a king bed or two doubles, sleeps up to three with a sofabed or rollaway. Pet-friendly room type.
One-Bedroom Premier Heritage
A large suite with separate living and sleeping spaces, both lit by natural light, and a Zen-style bathroom. Sleeps up to four including up to three children. Connecting rooms are available for families.
Two-Bedroom Kyoto Residence
The largest residence at the hotel, with floor-to-ceiling city skyline views, two private balconies, and a dining room that seats six. Comes with a fully equipped kitchen, washer, and a dedicated guest experience ambassador.
Two-Bedroom Presidential Suite
The largest hotel suite in Kyoto, on the fourth floor with extra-tall ceilings and a 10 sqm balcony. Layout runs to two bedrooms, a separate living and dining room, and a private pantry for cocktail prep. Sleeps four.
More Information
?
Don't forget that most of our itineraries can be totally customized. Our expert team will be able to talk you through all the options.
Dining
The hotel runs four dining venues. Sushi Ginza Onodera is the signature, an Edomae omakase counter built from 400-year-old Japanese cypress, with sushi served on Bizen and Kiyomizu ware and views over Shakusui-en. EMBA Kyoto Grill handles steak and seafood with dry-aged meats and charcoal grilling, with indoor seating and a waterfront terrace. FUJU lounge, reached by a glass bridge over the pond, serves matcha tea and traditional sweets by day, sake and champagne by evening. SEY is the izakaya-inspired cocktail bar.
Wellness
The spa runs across two floors of the underground Level 2 Fitness Centre, with seven treatment rooms, a 20-metre indoor pool, two whirlpools, sauna, steam bath, and a full Technogym fitness centre. Signature treatments include the bamboo ritual, a full-body massage using warmed oil and therapeutic bamboo sticks, and the Zen Ceremony, which ends with a sake bath. The spa was listed in the Vogue Global Spa Guide’s 100 Best Spas in the World from 2024 to 2026.
Location
The hotel sits on Myohoin Maekawa-cho in Higashiyama-ku, the eastern temple district of Kyoto. The historic streets of Gion are within walking distance, with Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kiyomizu-dera, and the Kyoto National Museum all close by. Kyoto Station is around a 10-minute drive, putting the rest of the city and the Shinkansen network within easy reach. Tokyo and Osaka are roughly two hours away by bullet train.
Our Experts
Millicent Kenworthy-Green
Luxury Travel Expert"Japan is often at the top of people's travel bucket-list, and for good reason. It's a country where you can find whatever it is you want, from the bustling cosmopolis of Tokyo to the luxury resort lined shores of the smaller islands. "
Contact us
Maria Gardner
Luxury Travel Expert"The beauty of Japan is the amazing blend between old and new. You can enjoy the futuristic neon glow of Tokyo whilst also exploring some of the world's most culturally significant sites. "
Contact us
Why book with us?
Personal Service
We want to ensure you have the best experience with us so we’ll keep working on your itinerary until perfect. You will have your own personal dedicated member of our team who will help build a trip that is bespoke to you.
Call our travel experts on +44 (0)20 7157 1570
Our 5* Reviews
We pride ourselves in the number of clients that are referred to us by our existing customers. Our 5* Trustpilot rating is important to us, so we encourage you to browse our reviews. They speak for themselves and that's why you are in safe hands.
Make an enquiry
Planning your trip should feel effortless.
We Listen
You share what matters, whether it’s a destination, a feeling, or a moment worth celebrating.
We Curate
Your dedicated expert shapes a thoughtful, private itinerary tailored entirely around you.
You Travel
Every detail handled. Every moment considered. Support before, during, and after your journey.
Share a few details about your trip and one of our travel experts will be in touch shortly.
Phone
Email