[1 Night] A Moment for Self Reflection at a Hidden Hotel in Kyoto, With Sutra Copying and Meditation

Higashiyama, A Lush Sanctuary Celebrating the Dignity and Tranquility of Kyoto

The Higashiyama district of Kyoto holds a graceful, composed presence. Removed from the city's hustle, yet within walking distance from storied sites like Heian Shrine, Nanzenji Temple, and Shorenin Temple, time seems to move slower here. 

View of Higashiyama from the rooftop terrace

Listen to the rustle of the trees, and you will sense the mountains close by. Wrapped in greenery, this area evokes the feeling of a retreat in the mountains—right within the city. Though just beyond Kyoto’s central sights, Higashiyama holds the depth and refined beauty that define the city.

Salon space on the second floor, ideal for reading or enjoying a drink

Tucked into this landscape is Higashiyama Shikikaboku, a small hotel imagined and brought to life by interior designer Masumi Kitayama, whose career spans both Japan and abroad. Guided by the question, “What does true comfort look like through the eyes of someone who lives in Kyoto?”, Kitayama designed a stay that feels both personal and profound.

An entryway designed to evoke the comfort of coming home

With only eight rooms, the hotel reflects a commitment to quality over quantity. Each room is named after a traditional teahouse, and each carries its own mood and character. From Qing dynasty antiques to vintage Japanese furnishings, every object has been hand-selected and placed by Kitayama, each piece carrying its own story and a beauty that transcends time, gently anchoring the space in timelessness.

A Tasteful Villa-Style Inn That Embodies Kyoto’s Aesthetic Grace

Your stay at Higashiyama Shikikaboku begins the moment you step inside its doors. Check-in is a calm and welcoming experience, with tea from Maruri Yoshida Meichaen, a long-established tea company in Uji, served alongside delicate sweets. The gentle sweetness and fragrant tea ease your tension, inviting a calm that settles the body and mind.

In this warm, welcoming atmosphere, attentive butler staff will introduce you to the local area, recommended dining spots, the hotel’s private open-air bath, and more.

A moment of calm with tea and sweets

The private open-air bath is a signature indulgence here. Available for 45 minutes per visit during your stay, its warm waters and gentle steam envelop you in the moist air of Higashiyama. It’s a place to unwind deeply, far from the rush of daily life.

Morning and evening views of Kyoto from the rooftop bath

The rooftop terrace offers a sweeping view of Higashiyama’s mountains, including Mt. Hiei and the red torii gates of Heian Shrine. The Kyocera Museum of Art and other Kyoto landmarks stretch before you. Daylight brings crisp clarity, while dusk softens the scene with warm hues, moments that invite deep breaths and leave a lasting impression.

A Sommelier Excellence crafts a seasonal cocktail

In the evening, delight in an exclusive one-drink service at the bar on the first floor, reserved for guests. Savor a seasonal cocktail prepared by a Sommelier Excellence before heading out for dinner. Each drink captures the changing seasons of Kyoto in its aroma and flavor. If you prefer, soft drinks, wine, sake, or whiskey are also available to suit your mood. This ritual gently ushers you into Kyoto’s nighttime mood, an intimate luxury and one of the many charms of staying at this hotel.

Experience the Beauty of Timeless Furnishings in a Space Surrounded by Antiques

For this experience, you will stay in the EN-SHU room, named after Kobori Enshu, the famed tea master and garden designer. True to its name, the room carries a serene presence that evokes the spirit of the tea ceremony.

Unified by warm wood tones, the space is decorated with carefully chosen antiques, Kyoto Karakami paper, and meticulously maintained bonsai, all reflecting the refined Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. The subtle attention to detail invites you to sink into the calm sensibility that defines Kyoto.

The bathroom boasts a fragrant hinoki cypress bath. The gentle aroma of the wood soothes away the fatigue of travel

EN-SHU features a peaceful Japanese-style room with tatami mats. Sitting quietly, you may feel the room breathe with a mysterious unity. Each antique piece seems to tell its own story, naturally guiding your mind toward relaxation.

Within this tranquil Japanese space, you can take part in the exclusive Wabunka sutra copying meditation experience, an intimate practice designed to deepen calm and self-reflection.

Enveloped in silence and beauty—a time well spent

A Moment to Face Yourself in Silence

Shakyo, the ancient practice of copying Buddhist sutras, calms the mind, unifies the spirit, and leads to a state of mindfulness. By focusing on the deliberate movement of your hand as you carefully trace each character, distracting thoughts fade away, and you connect with the silence deep within. This practice is often seen as the original form of what today is called “mindfulness.”

Shakyo can be done in authentic kanji or simplified hiragana

The delicate sensibility and refined aesthetic of owner Masumi Kitayama are reflected in the meditation tools arranged thoughtfully within a serene Japanese-style room. As the scent of sandalwood gently rises, your mind finds calm. Accompanying this, selected soprano saxophone music by Akira Uchida softly eases your thoughts.

Step away from your smartphone. The clear sound of a bell rings out, opening your senses and inviting you into a quiet, mindful space.

Recover your true self through this extraordinary sutra copying meditation

This experience can take place either on the evening of your stay or the following morning during quiet hours. You may request your preferred start time when making your reservation.

As the bell’s clear tone purifies the air, you pick up the brush and copy sutras character by character. Thoughts and emotions may unexpectedly surface—welcome these with gentle awareness and return to your brushstrokes.

Savor this rare moment of mindless writing, surrendering to the peace and stillness often missing in everyday life.

The scent of incense enhances the relaxing effect

Time to Harmonize Your Mind, Resonating with the Spirit of the Ancient Capital

At Higashiyama Shikikaboku, time slows, inviting you to savor the beauty in every detail and the calm of the space. Above all, the thoughtful setting and heartfelt hospitality leave a lasting warmth.

Among these experiences, the sutra copying meditation—exclusive to Wabunka guests—is a rare chance to step away from the everyday and gently face yourself. Holding a brush, you enter a moment of reflection and unexpected discovery, finding peace within each careful stroke.

Owner Masumi Kitayama looks forward to connecting with each guest personally

Kitayama says, “I want to share a Kyoto beyond tourism, a Kyoto that’s lived and loved by locals.”
Higashiyama Shikikaboku is sure to touch the hearts of travelers who seek not just to ‘see’ but to truly ‘feel’ the essence of their journey.