Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto: Kyoto’s Most Serene New Luxury Hotel - Haute Living

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By [Angelika Semilof](https://hauteliving.com/author/angelika-semilof/)

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High above Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, surrounded by bamboo groves, ancient temples, and forested mountain slopes, stands one of Japan’s most captivating new luxury hotels. Opened on August 1, 2024, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is the first Banyan Tree property in Japan and has quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after luxury retreats. Nestled on the mountainside in the beautiful Higashiyama area, the hotel feels wonderfully secluded, yet some of Kyoto’s most famous temples are just minutes away.


As the first Banyan Tree property in Japan, the resort was conceived as a sanctuary inspired by the Japanese concept of yūgen – a subtle, mysterious beauty that reveals itself gradually. Surrounded by bamboo groves and the rolling Higashiyama hills, the property embodies this philosophy at every turn. With only 52 rooms and suites, it feels intimate, exclusive, and deeply personal.


From the moment we arrived, the hotel immediately transported us into the spirit of Japan. The lobby feels more like an elegant modern ryokan than a traditional luxury hotel.