Banyan Group has announced the upcoming opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto in the third quarter of 2024, marking the debut of the Banyan Tree brand in Japan.
Located in the historic Higashiyama district of Kyoto City, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will feature 52 rooms, an exclusive Banyan Tree Spa and two distinctive dining experiences.
The upcoming property will be located on the former site of the esteemed Ryozen Hotel in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, home to attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodai-ji Temple and Higashiyama Onsen Hot Springs.
Designed by Yukio Hashimoto, the hotel's 52 rooms will feature traditional Japanese materials, including large cypress wood bathtubs, tatami mats, natural wood elements and gold leaf details.
Banyan Tree says that the Ryozen area within Higashiyama Mountain is sacred and has long served as the boundary between the city and the mountains of Kyoto.
This area is said to symbolize the transition between the world and the afterlife.
Interestingly, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will feature a Noh stage.
Nohgaku, a traditional Japanese performance art featuring supernatural themes such as ghosts and gods, has been performed continuously for approximately 650 years and was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.
The Noh stage, comprising the “main stage” and “Kagami no Ma”, represents two worlds, with the “Hashigakari” acting as a bridge between them.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto has built a unique Noh stage in its facilities to reflect this extreme nature.
Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, this is the only Noh stage in a Kyoto hotel.
Banyan Group's current portfolio encompasses more than 80 hotels and resorts, more than 60 spas and galleries, and 14 branded residences in more than 20 countries.
banyantree.com
