An Extraordinary Stay at Roku Kyoto LXR Hotels & Resorts: Experience the Depth of Kyoto

Roku Kyoto LXR Hotels & Resorts is located slightly north of Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto City, at the foot of the Takagamine Mountains.

This area, with its quiet and sophisticated atmosphere, distinct from the city's bustling sightseeing spots, has long been a resort destination cherished by artists, partly due to the presence of Hon'ami Koetsu's art village. It was in this very setting that ROKU KYOTO was newly established in September 2021.

Discover the hidden charms of Kyoto and an extraordinary relaxation experience in this stay report.

Roku Kyoto LXR Hotels & Resorts (hereinafter ROKU KYOTO) is situated in a picturesque area known as the Takagamine Mountains—Takagamine, Washigamine, and Tengamine. This location is in the northern part of Kyoto's Rakuhoku area, just north of Kinkaku-ji Temple, and approximately 30 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station.

This luxury hotel marks the first venture into the Asia Pacific region for LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Group's esteemed luxury brand. Situated in a natural, mountainous area of Kyoto, it offers guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the city's profound charm.

Upon entering the main entrance, you are greeted by a magnificent 400-year-old Kitayama Sugi (Kitayama cedar). This particular wood has been highly valued for tea houses and sukiya-style architecture since the Muromachi period. Given that the area surrounding the hotel is a renowned production center for this exquisite wood, it fittingly serves as the motif for the hotel's logo.

Takagamine, where ROKU KYOTO is located, is also the birthplace of the Rinpa, a prominent art movement from the Edo period. Here, Hon'ami Koetsu, the founder of Rinpa, established an art village. Tokugawa Ieyasu granted him 90,000 tsubo (3,202,497 square feet) of land, where he gathered artists and provided them with a space for their creative endeavors.

LXR Hotels & Resorts is a brand renowned for offering luxurious spaces while also immersing guests in the rich history and culture of its locations. A key appeal of ROKU KYOTO is its embodiment of the artistic spirit of Hon'ami Koetsu.

The Tenjin River, also known as the Kamiyagawa River, flows through the hotel grounds. Its name is rooted in history, as a paper-making guild (kamiza) once produced paper along its banks during the Heian period. It is said that the hotel's name, "ROKU," is a clever play on words, deriving from both the term for "making paper" (roku) and its location at the "foot" (roku) of the three mountains of Takagamine.

After arriving and completing your check-in, take a moment to relax at the Tea House. This lounge-like space offers a tranquil setting where you can unwind with various types of tea, whether you're just arriving or preparing to depart.

You can enjoy complimentary original blended teas, a collaboration with Tsubakido Chaho, a tea shop from Fushimi, Kyoto. The Kiyomizu-yaki (a type of Kyoto pottery) ware used to brew the tea are also exquisite. Original merchandise was also available for purchase.

The journey to your guest room is part of the charm. As you pass through the entrance, you'll discover an expansive garden featuring plants native to the area, such as Kitayama cedar, Japanese red pine, and Japanese maple.

At the heart of the facility is a stunning reflecting pool, reflecting the surrounding natural beauty of the hotel grounds.

Each space within the hotel draws inspiration from various elements of an art village. The arrival building's art theme is lacquerware, guest rooms feature karakami (decorated paper), the restaurant showcases bamboo, and the spa highlights pottery, expressing the art village concept throughout the entire facility. For example, the hallway leading to the guest rooms is lined with art panels made using karakami woodblocks.

Throughout the building, you'll discover traditional art pieces, including Nishijin-ori (Nishijin weaving) art panels and works by ceramic artists. We encourage you to explore and admire them during your stay.

We stayed in a 50-square-meter (538-square-foot) Premier Deluxe room located on the top floor. This room features a simple design that emphasizes harmony with nature.

From the top floor, guests can enjoy magnificent panoramic views unique to this floor. In addition to the hotel's overall scenery, Takagamine Mountain is also visible through the window.

A distinctive feature of the guest rooms is the spacious bathroom. Designed with a calming black theme, guests can open the shoji screen in the bath area to enjoy views of Takagamine Mountain, which are visible from the bath and extend past the bed.

The washroom, also unified in black like the bathroom, features two sinks side-by-side, making it convenient for multiple guests.

What was even more surprising was the incredibly pleasant feel of the original bathrobes. The outer side is made of smooth satin weave, while the inner side uses meltingly soft microfiber, making them truly exceptional.

Another delightful aspect of your stay is the hair dryer, a Repronizer 7D Plus, which is gaining attention as a beauty device for hair.

Guests who book a Premier Floor room on the top floor receive the following five exclusive benefits:

1. Premium Turndown Service
2. Soap Butler Service
3. Signature Cocktail at The Bar
4. Complimentary Fitness Wear Rental
5. 20% Discount on THE ROKU SPA Treatments

We'd like to highlight benefits 1 through 3 in more detail. The Premium Turndown Service prepares your room for a restful night before you go to bed. In your softly lit room, you'll find exclusive ROKU KYOTO matcha truffle chocolates, made with matcha from Seicha Tsujiki, a tea company that has received the Prime Minister's Award.

You'll be enchanted by the sweet taste of the exquisite matcha truffles, enjoyed in a room perfectly prepared for sleep. It's a truly luxurious service.

The Soap Butler Service is also delightful. A soap butler will visit your room and cut your preferred selection from several types of premium bar soaps right before your eyes.

From soaps made with natural ingredients sourced from overseas, to hinoki (Japanese cypress) and yomogi (Japanese mugwort) soaps, a wonderful aroma will fill your room.

The Signature Cocktail at The Bar is also appealing. You'll receive one complimentary glass of ROKU KYOTO's signature cocktail, Hana Monogatari (Flower Story), at The Bar within the hotel. This gin-based cocktail, luxuriously infused with seasonal herbs and fruits, will elevate your stay to an even more refined experience.

Additionally, the Premier Floor offers benefits such as complimentary fitness wear and the opportunity to experience spa treatments at THE ROKU SPA with a 20% discount. If you're planning a stay, we highly recommend considering this floor.

One of the facilities guests staying at ROKU KYOTO look forward to is the outdoor thermal pool. It's a relaxing space where you can feel the air of Takagamine, rich in nature. The blue pool tiles are made of ceramic, and they look wonderful even up close.

This outdoor natural hot spring pool uses natural hot spring water that flows from the adjacent Shozan Resort Kyoto. The water temperature is adjusted according to the season and air temperature, allowing you to enjoy it throughout the year. In winter, you can also use it to relax and warm your body.

There is also a thermal room (warming room), so you can also use it while cooling down by the poolside.

The five major benefits of the Premier Floor include complimentary rental of fitness wear, so be sure to take advantage of it. With the introduction of premium fitness machines from Technogym, you can use the gym 24 hours a day at your preferred time.

We also tried out THE ROKU SPA. A welcome perk is the 20% discount* available as a Premier Floor benefit. The twin spa rooms feature a large bathtub filled with natural hot spring water, allowing you to relax as you soak. Afterward, you can choose from various courses tailored to your needs for your treatment.

The treatments and interior design incorporate natural elements unique to this region, such as mizuhiki (decorative cords), washi (Japanese paper), kirinusa (cut paper strips used in Shinto rituals), and karabitsu (lacquered chests). They also offer treatments using the hotel's original aroma oil, which blends Kitayama cedar essence with a cedarwood base. Furthermore, you'll find various unique experiences here, such as herbal steam treatments that combine several herbs like mugwort, eucalyptus, and kuromoji (spicebush).

Another key highlight is the concierge service including Eiji Tanaka, a full member of Les Clefs d'Or, a prestigious international hotel concierge network organization. He has been featured on television and is renowned for his ability to promptly fulfill any request.

"I want to share a Kyoto that is known only to a select few, a step beyond the Kyoto everyone knows," says Tanaka. Despite being a true professional in hospitality, he is also very approachable, so if you see him at the concierge desk, feel free to consult him about your stay. He is an incredibly reliable resource.

As you relax within the hotel, time gracefully transitions from the magic hour to the evening twilight. The lighting of the corridors and the restaurant building is enchanting and truly beautiful. Once the sun sets, you can head to your eagerly anticipated dinner.

Dinner is served at the restaurant TENJIN. Here, you can savor dishes that tell the unique story of this region on every plate. The cuisine respects the local history, with dishes incorporating elements like the yin-yang expressions of Kyoto's inner and outer areas, traditional vegetables from the Takagamine Medicinal Garden, and unique plating techniques inspired by the Rinpa art village.

Executive Chef Akira Taniguchi, who honed his skills at luxury hotels in Tokyo, crafts dishes that blend French techniques with the natural bounty sourced primarily from Kyoto. The appetizer, a delightful combination of amberjack, persimmon nukazuke (fermented bran pickles), and goat cheese, was incredibly impressive and instantly captivated us.

The cold appetizer is presented in two layers: a bottom layer of basil paste and cucumber mousse, topped with Spanish Jamón Serrano. You can savor the evolving flavors with every bite.

The main fish and meat dishes also feature exquisite combinations of various ingredients. Local specialties like Kyo-gamo (Kyoto duck) and Kyoto pork are highlighted, with their rich, savory flavors expertly brought out.

For dessert, we enjoyed ROKU KYOTO's autumn parfait. The combination of Shine Muscat grapes and ginger sherbet was outstanding, and the kuzumochi (arrowroot mochi) topped with muscat grapes was also delicious.

TENJIN also boasts a resident sommelier. They curate a wine list to perfectly complement the dishes as the seasonal menu changes, enhancing your dining experience. The low-alcohol original cocktail, crafted with Shine Muscat grapes, was also surprisingly delicious.

During the Edo period, it is said that a medicinal herb garden existed behind ROKU KYOTO, from which vegetables and other produce were presented to the shogunate. Inspired by this history, the hotel continues to operate its own farm on the property today. A distinctive feature of their culinary approach is the incorporation of these cultivated herbs, flowers, and vegetables into their dishes and drinks. Even the herbal tea served after your meal uses herbs harvested directly from their own farm.

After dinner, enjoy another drink at The Bar, nestled in a corner of TENJIN. If you're staying on the Premier Floor, we highly recommend trying the signature cocktail Hana Monogatari (Flower Story), a special amenity included with your stay.

Breakfast is also served at TENJIN's All-Day Dining. The space facing the Tenjin River is entirely glass-paneled, allowing the refreshing morning light to pour in. There are also terrace seats where you can enjoy the seasonal scenery, such as fresh greenery in summer and vibrant autumn leaves.

The main dishes are available in several Japanese and Western styles, served in a semi-buffet style. Among them, the popular Eggs Benedict was an exquisite dish, topped with poached eggs and a generous amount of Kyo-mizuna (Kyoto greens) over a ragu sauce made from Miyama venison, making it a dish you can enjoy as lightly as a salad.

The buffet counter offers a variety of dishes, including obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking) and salads primarily featuring Kyoto vegetables, as well as smoked salmon, smoked chicken, and cereals. There is also a wide selection of breads, complemented by exquisite jams from Tanii Farm in Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture. You'll enjoy just looking at the abundant selection of carefully sourced ingredients from the Kansai area.

The hotel's homemade fresh juices are also highly praised by guests. The tomato juice, made with Ohara tomatoes, is characterized by its strong sweetness and refreshing finish. The green vegetable juice, made with komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), spinach, and apple, had almost no bitterness typical of vegetables and was very easy to drink.

After breakfast, why not explore the surrounding area until check-out? ROKU KYOTO is situated just south of Shozan Resort Kyoto, a property established by Shozan, a dyeing master who founded a Nishijin kimono manufacturer. Within its vast 30,000 tsubo (1,067,499 square feet) grounds, you are free to explore the various Japanese gardens, streams, restaurants, and tea houses.

The Japanese garden, with its paths winding through Kitayama cedar forests and its grounds dotted with tea houses and residences, including Shozan's guesthouse, is a renowned garden often called Kyoto's secret garden.

If you venture a little further, both Kinkaku-ji Temple and Genko-an Temple—the latter renowned for its Window of Enlightenment—are within walking distance. You can enjoy Rakuhoku, an area that offers a different charm from central Kyoto.

ROKU KYOTO offers you a luxurious stay amidst the rich natural scenery of the Takagamine Mountains, in a land steeped in the artistic heritage where the Rinpa school of art originated. Its greatest appeal is the unique ambiance you can experience here, which is unlike anything found in central Kyoto City. Indulge in the outdoor thermal pool and spa, and savor a variety of artistic culinary delights that are a feast for the eyes. This is a supreme accommodation where you can enjoy a truly special stay that can only be experienced here.

Photography by Tomoaki Okamura
Reporting and writing by Yuka Kakami

*This article is a translation of an article originally published in Japanese on 11/10/2023 and has been translated with the assistance of AI.