Kyoto’s Understated Art Hotel: The Shinmonzen

With its dark wood facade mirroring the surrounding townhouses, if you blink, you might miss it. But The Shinmonzen is one of Kyoto’s most unique design hotels hidden just out of sight in the Gion district. Brought to you by design legend Tadao Ando, The Shinmonzen fuses luxury with boutique and tradition with modernity, and with just twelve suites, it’s an intimate affair where design is the focus. The hotel doesn’t hold back on experiences, with its recently opened restaurant featuring a seasonally changing European menu and its prime Kyoto location leading to unparalleled access to private meditation sessions, spa services and some of the city’s best alternative experiences that avoid the crowds, making it the perfect base in the heart of Kyoto.

The Offer

What appears as a striking, dark wood machiya townhouse from the outside has a contrasting inside where Kyoto meets Paris. The interiors here are modelled around a classic ryokan with contemporary works by the likes of Damien Hirst and Annie Morris on the walls, while the furnishings are a mixture of European and Japanese, such as hinoki wood bathtubs and French linens, hinting at the French hotelier that dreamed up The Shinmonzen. The suites are all unique and accented in Japanese materials like bamboo, lacquer and silk, with tatami floors, a king-sized bed and a balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River.

The restaurant combines flavours of France, America and Asia where Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten uses fresh, local ingredients in his delectable 6 and 8-course menus as well as a new patisserie on the horizon. Currently, you can enjoy snacks and drinks in the Riverside Lounge after a workout or an in-room massage, and The Shinmonzen also has plans to open a basement spa with resident reiki master. Expect personalised service and unparalleled access to meditation and tea ceremonies at temples not open to the public, geiko experiences and private rickshaw rides through the ancient streets of Kyoto.

Looking for more unique hotels and travel guides? Subscribe to the weekly Views from Japan newsletter here.

The Location

You would be hard-pressed to find a better location in Kyoto than the Gion District, where The Shinmonzen manages to stay away from the noise and crowds yet is surrounded by narrow lanes lined with heritage houses straight off a postcard. Nearby are lots of local shops and galleries, and the Shirakawa River is a peaceful stretch of water which is dappled with pink cherry blossoms in the spring. For anywhere else you might want to go in Kyoto, from Nishiki Market to Fushimi Inari Taita, the hotel staff will fall over themselves to arrange it for you.

Who is it For?

The Shinmonzen will perfectly suit those who are visiting Kyoto and need a stylish hideaway that focuses on Japanese hospitality and tradition without sacrificing modern comforts. Anyone who appreciates art and design will love the hotel’s French-meets-Japanese interiors, which manage to feel supremely homely and are ideal for everyone from solo travellers and couples to families. The central location and newness of the property also means it’s still relatively under the radar, and you can take advantage of the incredible personalised experiences on offer that explore some of Kyoto’s most unique sights.

Sustainability

You’ll find no shortage of sustainable elements at The Shinmonzen. The artwork, furnishings and design crosses borders, but wherever possible, you’ll find local products, materials and artwork by skilled Japanese artisans. They have a zero-plastic goal, which has led to using LED light bulbs and devices to save on water, while the bathroom toiletries are made from organic bamboo. They’ve signed the UNESCO sustainable tourism pledge too, with the building made mostly from sustainable local materials and the traditional machiya-inspired design in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood. The outstanding restaurant has a seasonal menu that uses local ingredients, and they have outreach programmes with Japanese farmers, meaning you’ll find a great range of plant-based options.

Important Information

How to get there

Car: The Shinmonzen is around 60 minutes from Osaka International Airport, or 90 minutes from Kansai International Airport.
Train: The nearest station is Kyoto Station, which is just 15 minutes drive from the hotel. Taxis can be arranged.
Check-in / Check-out: Check-in 3 PM, Check-out 11 AM with late checkout possible.
Rooms: 12
Onsen: N/A
Pets: Yes, six of the twelve suites can accommodate dogs up to 15KG and your pet will get a bed, bowl and treats.
Contact: The Shinmonzen

Shinmonzen-dori, 235 Nishinocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0088
Find out more via theshinmonzen.com

Affiliate Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing via these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It’s a big help to keep this site up and running and I only promote products and services that I personally use and trust. Thanks!

Are You Ready to Discover Japan, Minus the Crowds?

Are you tired of seeing the same over-crowded locations in Japan? I’ve spent five years exploring all corners of the country and now reveal everything I have learnt in my brand new travel guidebook. In Views from Japan, I take you on a journey through unique architectural destinations, under-the-radar neighbourhoods and timeless countryside hotels, as well as revealing my most trusted insider travel tips and so much more.

Your Journey Starts Here