Enjoy serenity just steps from Nijo Castle
Experience Kyoto’s historic heart with luxury hospitality, traditional wellness, and bespoke cultural encounters.
Location
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is set in the heart of Kyoto, directly opposite Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This peaceful, central location places guests within easy reach of key cultural landmarks, yet feels quiet and deeply rooted in the city’s heritage.
Rooms
The rooms and suites fuse refined Japanese design with modern comforts, using natural materials like wood, stone, and washi paper. Many offer views of the inner garden or Nijo Castle, and select suites include private onsen-style baths, drawing on Kyoto’s traditional approach to relaxation and wellness.
Amenities
At the heart of Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is Thermal Spring Spa, an elegant sanctuary built around a natural hot spring source discovered beneath the property. Designed to evoke a traditional Japanese bathhouse, the spa blends heritage and healing in a series of refined spaces, including private onsen suites and a serene garden-view bathing area. Treatments draw on Japanese rituals and natural ingredients, offering everything from seasonal facials and body therapies to fully personalised wellness journeys.
Activities
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto offers a deeply immersive cultural programme, with many experiences exclusive to hotel guests. From early-morning private tours of UNESCO-listed Kiyomizu-dera temple to curated access at the Gion Matsuri Festival, guests can engage with Kyoto’s traditions in ways few others can. In partnership with master artisans and cultural institutions, activities include Kintsugi workshops, kimono styling with Nishijin textile house HOSOO, and private ceramics sessions at the esteemed TOKINOHA studio.
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Best places to stay in Kyoto
Kyoto Trip Inspiration
When to go to Japan
A month-by-month guide of when to visit Japan
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is ideal for winter sports in Hokkaido and northern regions, with plenty of snow. Tokyo and Kyoto remain chilly but offer clear skies for sightseeing. Explore Sapporo's Snow Festival and soak in an onsen for the ultimate winter experience.
February
February is the best time for skiing and snowboarding in Nagano and Hokkaido. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a major attraction, featuring stunning ice sculptures. Other areas are generally cold and dry and good for sightseeing.
March
March marks the beginning of spring, with cherry blossoms starting to bloom in southern regions like Kyoto and Tokyo. Enjoy hanami picnics under the pink blossoms. It's a great time for hiking and outdoor adventures.
April
April is the peak of cherry blossom season. Witness Tokyo's Ueno Park and Kyoto's Maruyama Park come alive with vibrant sakura. Golden Week, late April to early May, offers festive parades and events.
May
May offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities and hiking. Explore Tokyo's International Food Festival and enjoy the comfortable climate for sightseeing in Kyoto.
June
June is the start of the rainy season, known as tsuyu, lasting until mid-July. Although it's wet, explore Kyoto's temples and gardens amid light crowds. Festivals like the Sanno Matsuri in Tokyo showcase Japanese traditions.
July
July continues the rainy season, but the Tanabata Star Festival brightens the skies. Hokkaido hosts the Lavender Festival with fields of purple blooms. Kyoto's Gion Matsuri features grand floats.
August
August offers festivals and fireworks. The Obon Festival celebrates ancestors with lanterns and dances. Enjoy the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in Tokyo. Hokkaido's summer flower festivals are perfect for nature enthusiasts.
September
September brings comfortable weather and the iconic Kunchi Festival in Nagasaki. Explore the Sapporo Autumn Festival in Hokkaido. It's a great time for sightseeing with fewer tourists.
October
October features stunning autumn foliage in Kyoto and Nikko. Visit Tokyo's Meiji Shrine during the Meiji Jingu Festival and enjoy Oktoberfest celebrations. Ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures.
November
November showcases autumn foliage, with Kyoto's temples and parks ablaze in red and orange. Yoyogi Park in Tokyo hosts the International Food Festival, and Kyushu's hot spring resorts offer relaxation.
December
December marks the onset of winter, with holiday illuminations in cities and festive lights. Explore Hokkaido's Sapporo Snow Festival with breathtaking ice sculptures. Ski resorts open for winter sports enthusiasts.
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Nia
Japan Expert
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