Six Senses Kyoto marks the brand’s entry into Japan, blending Six Senses’s wellness and sustainability standards with Japanese tradition
Six Senses Kyoto has opened in Japan, aiming to take guests on a sensory journey of reconnection. The brand’s entry into Japan starts with this Kyoto destination, conveniently situated among the heritage shrines and palaces within the ancient capital.
The hotel’s design draws inspiration from the Heian period (794-1185), when Heian-kyo (now Kyoto) was the capital of Japan. Modern interpretations of the Heian period are displayed throughout the hotel. The lobby artwork sets the tone with a folding screen featuring 504 hand-crafted Kyoto-made Rakuyaki tiles. These symbolise the silhouette of the sacred Mount Kurama, one of the legendary settings of the Tale of Genji and the birthplace of Reiki healing. Other touches throughout the property include use of wood and natural materials and meandering paths through inner Japanese gardens.
Six Senses Kyoto offers 81 guest rooms and suites including specialty suites like the Premier Suite Garden with a private Japanese courtyard to the 238 square-metre Three Bedroom Penthouse Suite. Those looking to optimise their sleep can take advantage of the hotel’s sleep aids and programs like personalised sleep consultations that integrate insights from guests’ sleep tracker with treatments, nutritional guidance and low intensity training.
At the Six Senses Spa, guests can begin their journey with a signature Wellness Screening that analyses health biomarkers before Wellness Practitioners make personalised recommendations tailored to individual needs and goals. Highlights include the Kyoto-exclusive Ah-un treatment and watsu (aquatic bodywork). The adjacent Biohack Recovery Lounge is equipped with recovery devices such as compression therapy. Additionally, a wellness program includes a half-day to six days for both hotel guests and external visitors focused on sleep, detox, yoga and fitness.
The hotel’s food and beverage offering take guests on a journey through the ancient Japanese calendar. The all-day dining restaurant, Sekki, features weekly menus and drinks inspired by Japan’s 24 solar terms. The veg-forward lineup focuses on local, artisanal and sustainable ingredients sourced by Chef Hiroki Shishikura. The adjacent Café Sekki boasts a selection of fresh brews, craft teas, homemade kombucha, healthy juices and sweets and pastries using only natural ingredients and traditional fermentation techniques. Nine Tails, the speakeasy cocktail bar, offers spirited creations alongside non-alcoholic options crafted from artisanal condiments and homemade syrup and cordials.
A sustainability tour aligns with the brand’s ethos as do interactive workshops at the Earth lab and body product creation events at the Alchemy Bar. Six Senses Kyoto’s dedicated Sustainability Fund sees 0.5 per cent of the hotel’s revenue allotted to Biotope Network Kyoto and Council for Kyoto Traditional Forest Culture.