Explore the Historic Heart of Kyoto, Home of Merchants and Shoguns

Your accommodation is located on block off the main thoroughfare of Oike-dori. Throughout the surrounding neighborhood, you will pass by the dark wooden latticed facades of machiya, evoking images of the many wealthy merchant families that once lived and worked here. A short stroll will take you to the moat and outer walls of Nijo Castle, built in the early seventeenth century for the Tokugawa shoguns as their main residence when visiting Kyoto. If you wish, you can visit the castle’s exquisite gardens and elegant Ninomaru Palace.

An Intimate Boutique Hotel in a Former Machiya Townhouse

Recent years have seen increased efforts to move beyond mere preservation towards restoring and converting Kyoto’s atmospheric townhouses into cafes, restaurants, or hotels that offer visitors modern comforts along with a sense of the city’s historic character. The Hiramatsu Kyoto strikes just the right balance between history and contemporary style, blending traditional machiya architecture with modern comforts and Danish furniture—a machiya for the twenty-first century.

A Stay with a Sense of Place

Savor the Uniquely Stylish Interior of THE HIRAMATSU KYOTO

When you first set foot inside The Hiramatsu Kyoto, let your gaze wander upward to the ceiling beams, which remain from the original building. Beneath your feet, the floor has been crafted to resemble that of the machiya, which was made of hard-beaten earth. This room was once known as the omoteya, a place where the merchant owners greeted customers to display their wares and conduct their business. From that spot, your eyes may then be drawn towards views of the elegant inner courtyard.

Elsewhere in the hotel, be sure to pass through the machiya’s former kura storehouse. This storehouse has been restored into a comfortable hotel lounge to reflect its traditional appearance and retains some of its original roof tiles and fittings. Inside, you will find treasures such as the stylish modern furniture of Danish designer Kaare Klint, as well as a decorative Miokuri hanging displayed at the rear of a float in Kyoto’s celebrated 1000-year-old Gion Festival.

Pre-Selected Rooms

Yoshiaki Nakamura of the Nakamura Sotoji Construction Company compares entering the rooms of The Hiramatsu Kyoto to “unwinding a picture scroll.” As you move from the entrance into the bedroom and the living area, separated by a wood and metal lattice, different aspects of the space unfold before your eyes. Sleek Danish furniture complements the subtle warmth of traditional Japanese style. With this Wabunka plan, you will be staying in the deluxe premier room, which includes two semi-double beds. The bathtub is equipped with powerful jets to soothe your muscles after a long day.

*Please note that room assignments may be subject to change based on availability. If a change is necessary, the rate may vary, and we will notify you of the details beforehand.

Moments at the Table

Fine Italian Dining and Inspired Japanese Cuisine

There are two on-site restaurants at The Hiramatsu Kyoto. At Ristorante la Luce, chef Takaumi Tsutsui crafts superb Italian cuisine using the finest local ingredients, while at IZUMI, chef Shohei Masaki unveils exquisite Japanese dishes on a counter made from a single piece of Japanese zelkova. Dinner is not included in this plan, but you may choose to dine at Ristorante la Luce or IZUMI (additional fees apply) or head out into the local area to find a restaurant.

On your second day, start right with a Japanese-style breakfast. This nutritious, thoughtfully-prepared meal features steamed rice, miso soup, and a delicate Japanese rolled omelet, as well as grilled fish and seasonal pickles. Take your time to relax at the counter as you savor the subtle flavors of this traditional breakfast. This meal is included in the price of this Wabunka plan.

Dinner (Additional Option)

If you would like to have your evening meal at The Hiramatsu Kyoto, you can make a dinner reservation for Ristorante la Luce or IZUMI via Wabunka. At Ristorante la Luce, you can enjoy Chef Tsutsui’s elegant Italian cuisine along with views of the former kura storehouse and bamboo garden. At the counter of IZUMI, Chef Masaki provides elegant Japanese cuisine. Please note that as dinner is not included as part of this plan, additional fees will apply.

*The dishes pictured below are examples. Dishes and ingredients may vary depending on the season and selected meal course.

Deepen Your Connection to the Region

Savor a Soothing Cup of Tea with Views of the Inner Courtyard Garden

Kyoto is famous for its green tea, much of which is grown in the nearby town of Uji, as well as its centuries-old tea culture. For a taste of this tradition, head to IZUMI after you arrive at the hotel for a special private Wabunka experience. There, at the elegant zelkova counter, you can make yourself a delicious cup of matcha tea. Sip it leisurely as you enjoy soothing views of the garden. Because this experience takes place prior to the restaurant opening, you will have the place all to yourselves.

*Children staying free of charge can observe the tea experience, but no extra matcha or sweets will be provided for them.

Experience the Essence of Historic Kyoto in Modern Style and Comfort

Spending the night in a modern hotel fashioned from a remodeled historic machiya townhouses is a wonderful way to get a sense of Kyoto’s past. Despite the passing of the years, the walls still seem alive with the whispers of yesteryear, when the merchants who owned the house welcomed prospective customers into the omoteya to examine and purchase their wares.

In renovating this machiya and converting it into a modern hotel, the architects and craftspeople involved have chosen to combine the building’s traditional Japanese design with elements of modern style and decor including influences from other countries. In doing so, they provide visitors like you the chance to relax in style and comfort, while celebrating a historic Kyoto building not as a museum but as a vital living part of modern Japan.