Stay here: Aman Kyoto

What’s the deal?

Just a 30-minute drive north from Kyoto station and the sights of Kyoto’s city centre, amid 32 hectares of forest, lies a secret garden. This beautiful slice of nature is the setting of Aman Kyoto . The hotel enlisted the help of renowned landscape architect Professor Shimoda to create an idyllic environment of moss-covered footpaths and cedar and cypress groves – perfect for a luxurious, nature-inspired getaway.

Dotted about the grounds are six pavilions housing 24 guest suites, two two-bedroom villas and various communal spaces. These elegant, minimalist buildings take inspiration from traditional ryokan; designed using natural materials and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, they seamlessly bring the outdoors in. Other thoughtful touches include fine tatami mat floors that imitate the texture of grass and deep ofuro bathtubs crafted from natural hinoki cypress wood. 

Here, in these tranquil surroundings, you can bid adieu to the wider world for a few days and lose yourself in the peace and quiet of nature. 

Why stay?

Aman Kyoto promises complete seclusion and relaxation, coupled with the utmost care and attention. As you wander the extensive grounds, you’ll rarely run into another guest, giving the illusion that you’ve got the whole property to yourself. 

If the lush greenery isn’t enough to rejuvenate your mind and body, a trip to Aman Spa will do the trick. Here, you can soak in the mineral-rich waters of a traditional Japanese onsen. There are both indoor and outdoor pools to choose from, but the hotel’s outdoor onsen baths, fed by natural hot springs, are designed to mimic a natural rock pool and offer a particularly immersive experience.

Over at all-day dining venue The Living Pavilion by Aman, there is no craving that can’t be satisfied. A nourishing breakfast of grilled fish and soya milk porridge is best enjoyed in the crisp morning air on the open wooden deck. Afternoon tea is an exquisite affair with flower-shaped wagashi confections and freshly prepared Japanese tea. 

Enjoy complimentary evening aperitifs paired with small snacks, followed by a home-cooked dinner that showcases Kyoto-style cuisine and local, seasonal ingredients. The eight-course set I was treated to included delicacies such as Japanese sweetbread meunière with Tamba chestnut and black truffle, and cedar-roasted Kyoto wagyu beef fillet with chrysanthemum condiment. 

While you could easily spend your entire stay taking solo walks about the grounds, Aman Kyoto also hosts a range of cultural experiences, from morning yoga sessions and guided garden tours to origami workshops and matcha making. I had the pleasure of joining the Takagamine Village tour, which took me through bamboo forests and past ancient bonsai; it also incorporated a visit to the Genko-an Temple (and its famed Window of Enlightenment), as well as a stop at the Matsuno Shōyu brewery, where I made sure to pick up a bottle of soy sauce. 

If you’d like to find your own way around the area, you can borrow cross bikes for up to six hours, while chauffeur services are also available upon request. Plus, seventeen Unesco World Heritage Sites, including the popular Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion , are located nearby.

Cathay editors say…

“It would be no exaggeration to call this hotel a paradise. Allow yourself time to fully take in its transformative beauty and serenity, as leaving is sure to be bittersweet. Staff are unfailingly attentive; they’re happy to customise experiences according to your interests, and you’ll often return to your room to find thoughtful mementoes, like chocolates, bookmarks and small scented bags (bunko). If you require extra assistance during your stay, the Aman butler service is only a WhatsApp message away.”