BANYAN TREE DEBUTS IN JAPAN WITH FIRST PROPERTY IN KYOTO
Banyan Group announced the opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto on August 1, 2024, which also marks the debut of the Banyan Tree brand in Japan. Located in the historic Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto City, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto features 52 guestrooms, the signature Banyan Tree Spa and two distinctive dining experiences.
Location and Heritage
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto stands on the former site of the esteemed Hotel Ryozen, nestled in Kyoto’s renowned Higashiyama district, home to attractions such as Kodai-ji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of the most spectacular temples in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site also boasts the rare Higashiyama Onsen hot spring, making it a cherished retreat for many. Redeveloping this property aligns with Banyan Tree Group’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and sustainability for future generations.
The Only Hotel with a Noh Stage in Kyoto
The sacred Ryozen area within Higashiyama mountain has long served as a boundary between the town and the mountains of Kyoto, with Otani Sobyo Mausoleum to the north and the area called Toribeno to the south. This area symbolizes the transition between the world and the afterlife. Nohgaku, a traditional Japanese performing art featuring supernatural themes such as ghosts and gods, has been performed continuously for around 650 years since the Muromachi period and was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. The Noh stage, comprising the “main stage” and “Kagami no Ma,” represents two worlds, with the “Hashigakari” acting as a bridge between them.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto has constructed a unique Noh stage on its premises to reflect this boundary nature. Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, this is the only Noh stage in a Kyoto hotel. The design of the rafters creates a Noh stage that embodies both presence and ephemerality, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings of Higashiyama. The elegant stage serves as a venue for traditional Nohgaku, contemporary art performances, and musical events, offering guests an unforgettable cultural experience.
Sanctuary for the Senses
Designed by Yukio Hashimoto, the hotel’s 52 guestrooms, which include eight Onsen Retreat rooms, draw inspiration from the concept of “Yūgen” (mysterious, quiet beauty) and the famous phrase “Hisureba Hana” from the Noh theory bible “Fushikaden.” This phrase, which translates to “hidden beauty revealed,” captures the surprise and excitement guests will feel upon entering their rooms, as they are moved by elements that surpass their imagination. Each room features traditional Japanese materials, including large cypress wood bathtubs, tatami mats, natural wood elements, and gold leaf accents, engaging all five senses and providing a serene sanctuary.
Food and Drink
Ryozen, the property’s signature Japanese restaurant, focuses on seasonal and local ingredients and multicourse kaiseki meals, with plans to expand menu offerings later on. The sake-centric bar, featuring an impressive collection of Kyoto-produced sake, will also double as an afternoon tea spot by day.
Wellbeing
As one of the few properties in the Higashiyama Ward to have its own hot spring source, Banyan Tree Higashiyama also offers an indoor-outdoor stone-clad onsen facility for guests to partake in the ancient Japanese custom. The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, featuring six treatment rooms with hot spring-fed tubs, a sauna, steam room, and relaxation area, also offers a menu of unique Kyoto-exclusive treatments like a bamboo massage and therapies that include private en-suite onsen time.
Commitment to Sustainability
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto harmonizes with its natural surroundings through three distinctive gardens and a bamboo grove, offering a unique landscape experience. The hotel’s sustainable practices include preserving and reinforcing the historic stone walls from Hotel Ryozen, cultivating moss for the stone walls during construction, and maintaining existing symbolic trees and the bamboo grove.
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