A Stay with Japanese Charm: The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto

Design

Set against the backdrop of the Yasaka Pagoda, this former school building retains its Japanese charm. The koi pond greets you outside the lobby, and the terrace was the perfect spot to take in the Kyoto sunset. The restaurant Library was formerly the school’s auditorium. Throughout the hotel, you notice the yellow stone building was the original school building, and the new sleek black additions were incorporated to expand and modernize the hotel.

During my stay, I felt connected with the Japanese culture through the charming details of the design. I appreciated how the designers maintained the character of the original building, connecting it to its local setting.

Location

Kiyomizu Neighborhood

Located in the Kiyomizu neighborhood of the Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto, one of my favorite parts of this hotel was the location. When you walk out the door, you are in the traditional Kiyomizu neighborhood where buildings are wooden with thatched roofs, women are dressed in traditional kimonos, and the streets are filled with shops selling traditional Japanese goods. While much of Kyoto has modernized cement buildings, this neighborhood transports you back in time. I appreciated being here when we had some downtime in between sightseeing because it was a great spot to be able to casually walk out the door and shop. And for Starbucks lovers, the hotel is a short walk from a well-known Starbucks, which is the first Starbucks in the world to be in a traditional Japanese house with tatami seating. I tried the matcha frappuchino here and enjoyed it in the open tatami seating.

In terms of seeing the other sites throughout Kyoto, the hotel is a short bus ride away. It’s about 20 minutes to the Kyoto train station, Nishiki Market, and Imperial Palace, or 30 minutes to Nijo Castle. Overall, I found it easy to get around and appreciated being in such a picturesque neighborhood.

Rooms and amenities

Deluxe King

Panoramic Suite

With only 48 rooms, the hotel has an intimate feel. One amenity available to all guests is the guest lounge, which offers complimentary snacks and alcoholic beverages each evening. It was perfect to grab an appetizer before heading out to dinner, or for a late-night snack. Beyond this, by booking with us, you’ll also take advantage of the Leading Hotels of the World amenities, including daily complimentary breakfast.

Guest Lounge

Onsite, there is a fitness center, private wellness baths, and multiple dining options. The restaurant Library is where you’ll enjoy breakfast each morning, and at night, it’s home to a sushi restaurant. Benoit Kyoto has the cuisine of a Parisian bistro, and K36 Bar & Rooftop has drinks and lighter fare. Both have stunning views of the nearby pagoda. We had sunset cocktails at K36, and took in the views of Kyoto. For some wellness time, you can pay for an experience in one of the private bath spaces.

Interior Courtyard

One special amenity is the complimentary cultural experiences, such as a tea ceremony, maiko performance, Japanese musical instrument (koto), or seasonal art experiences. We participated in a traditional tea ceremony, where a professional instructor taught us not only how to make matcha tea but showed us how the process aligns to principles of relaxation. It was such a unique and special experience, and we were grateful to be able to conveniently join right where we were staying.

Tea ceremony

The rooms range from king beds with courtyard views to suites with panoramic views of the pagoda and Kyoto. We stayed in the standard Deluxe King and found it quite spacious; it had a sitting area, and space for my son’s crib, as well as a large bathroom. As your travel advisor, I can help you navigate the room options and find the right space for your stay.

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu is a beautiful and historic hotel, located in a fantastic neighborhood of Kyoto. I would highly recommend it to travelers of all types. Reach out for help planning your next trip to Kyoto, or to enhance your stay with special amenities.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Kyoto page.