[1 Night] Stay at ART MON ZEN KYOTO in Gion – Explore Antique Art and the Tea Ceremony in a Museum-Like Hotel

Experience Art and Refine Your Aesthetic Sense at a Museum-Like Hotel

The historic Furumonzen Street in Gion, Kyoto, leads to Chion-in Temple and is known to be lined with art dealers. One of them is Nakanishi Shohoken, an antiques dealer founded in 1907. It specializes in carefully selected domestic and international art, with a focus on tea ceremony utensils from various eras.

Among the many art dealers on the street, Nakanishi Shohoken stands out, attracting cultural figures from across the country

ART MON ZEN KYOTO is a hotel opened by Nakanishi Shohoken in 2017 with the concept of "an art gallery you can stay in." As you enter through the red pine door, an antique Baccarat chandelier welcomes you. The interior, built using sukiya-zukuri techniques, is a work of art in itself.

The unique design of the building incorporates traditional tea room carpentry with modern architecture

The hotel is filled with carefully curated art pieces, each displayed to highlight its best view. It feels more like a museum than a hotel, offering a luxurious experience that engages all five senses.

Relax in a Luxurious Space Surrounded by Real Art

This plan includes a stay at ART MON ZEN KYOTO, located in the peaceful Gion area, ideal for sightseeing. Designed as "a hotel for appreciating art," it features 15 rooms, each with authentic artwork. The rooms, with ceilings over 3m high, offer a generous sense of space, while the beds and amenities prioritize comfort and quality.

"Executive" guest room – one of three room options in this plan

Your stay will be in either the "Executive," "Corner Premier 1," or "Corner Premier 2" room. Each space combines modern design with refined Japanese touches, and features traditional sukiya-zukuri craftsmanship, a hallmark of Kyoto.

Enjoy amenities from the French natural skincare brand Omnisens

Antique Art Lectures and Tea Ceremonies Reflecting the Seasons

After checking in, head to the welcome space "Tengai," where you can explore antique art pieces and learn from qualified staff about their history and significance, deepening your appreciation of the artworks.

Tengai also transforms into "THE BAR-SAKE" in the evening

As the saying goes, "You can only truly appreciate a painting by seeing it and a tea bowl by using it," Nakanishi Shohoken gives you the chance to see, touch, and use artworks. This experience includes grinding matcha with a stone mill, tasting seasonal Japanese sweets, observing a tea ceremony, and drinking tea from an antique tea bowl.

Enjoy the tea ceremony from a chair, and you can also request thick tea if you prefer

A Luxurious Experience at a Private Bar

After the antique art lecture and tea ceremony, head to the hotel’s stylish bar to relax and enjoy the artwork. This space is exclusively reserved for Wabunka guests, where you can savor seasonal desserts and drinks while learning about the art (non-alcoholic options available).

The bar counter is crafted from high-quality sapele wood parquet

The desserts, created by skilled pastry chefs, change monthly and focus on seasonal ingredients. Not only do they look stunning, but they also highlight the flavors of Kyoto’s terroir.

Gorgeous, seasonal desserts (contents change each month)

Drinks to pair with the desserts are served in antique Baccarat glasses (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available). Enjoy a refined time at the bar, surrounded by sparkling crystal glasses and beautiful artworks.

The antique Baccarat glasses on the dimly lit bar counter shine brilliantly

Experience Kyoto's Iconic Artworks Up Close

After your time at the bar, stroll to the Nakanishi Shohoken gallery for a rare guided tour. The first-floor gallery highlights tea ceremony tradition in a modern setting, showcasing contemporary art that merges tradition and innovation, including works by young artists and Kyoto ware objects passed down through generations.

The first-floor gallery features contemporary art

The second floor offers a contrasting Japanese-style space, with sukiya-zukuri craftsmanship and a collection of antique artworks. You'll receive an easy-to-understand lecture on the history, features, and details of each piece.

A Japanese space that incorporates tea room architecture, offering an immersive experience of culture and history

In the hall, you'll find valuable Kyoto ware tea utensils on display. Being able to see and even touch these pieces is a unique experience only an antique dealer can offer.

Admire the screens with the same grace as those in the past, who covered their mouths with a fan to enjoy the art

A Luxurious Stay in a Museum-Like Space

In Kyoto, where art and craftsmanship have been part of daily life for centuries, this stay offers a rare opportunity to enjoy antique art and the Japanese tea ceremony, set in a space that embodies the beauty and craftsmanship of sukiya design. Guided by an art dealer, you'll experience the essence of Kyoto’s cultural heritage.

A rich moment of art appreciation

Reflect on Kyoto's history and immerse yourself in the charm of antique art and the tea ceremony. Why not spend time at ART MON ZEN KYOTO, sharpening your senses in this elegant, museum-like space?