When I started planning a stay in Kyoto I wanted somewhere calm, comfortable, and close
enough to the main sights without being right in the middle of the tourist crowds. THE
HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO TOKYU, A Pan Pacific Hotel immediately stood out for that
reason. The location looked ideal, and the hotel’s design minimal, modern, but clearly
inspired by Japanese tradition was exactly the type of place I like to stay when I want
something more personal than a big chain.
It turned out to be a great choice. In this review I’m going to take you through some of the
highlights of my stay at The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto review.
Arrival and First Impressions
The hotel sits just off a high street in Higashiyama, around a 10 minute walk from several
major attractions and close to a subway station for easy access to the rest of the city.
It’s on the site of a former elementary school, and has nods to its history with artwork in the
lobby detailing the original layout of the school. Japanese artist Aiko Tezuka created the
modern textiles you’ll see on display in the lobby and down to the restaurant area –
incorporating some of the history of Kyoto with symbols and patterns.
The entrance is understated, without overpowering bright lights it feels calming when you
walk in. There is a small shop that feels like a gallery, with traditional Japanese craft pieces,
and an attractively designed lounge area for tea tastings – more on that to come later.
Staff were immediately helpful and switched comfortably between Japanese and English.
Check-in was quick, and I was made aware of offerings you could book at the hotel including
rickshaw sightseeing tours and craft classes.
The Room: Comfortable, Quiet, and Smartly Designed
There are a range of rooms at THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA to suit varying budgets, but even the
standard rooms feel spacious and are stylish in an understated way. The design takes
inspiration from the Shirakawa River, with lighting choices that look like ripples and swooping designs on carpets and artwork that add to the flow.
I stayed in the Okazaki suite on the 5th floor. The first thing I noticed was how quiet the
space felt. It had a feel of a home away from home, a feeling that is reflected throughout the
hotel. The windows overlooked the stunning courtyard with its hues of reds and oranges,
and behind that the hills with their rolling cloud cover made for a stunning view every
morning. At 61m squared, it’s a giant space, but nothing feels overly pompous here, it’s all
classy and considered.
I consider myself quite picky when it comes to hotel beds, simply because I travel often
enough to have strong opinions. This bed ranks among the more comfortable ones I’ve slept on in Japan. The mattress (made by Sealy) was supportive without being too firm, and the bedding felt high-end.
Breakfast
Breakfast at THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA was consistently excellent and I looked forward to it
every morning. The international buffet portion includes fresh fruit, salads, cereals, pastries, and several types of juice – but the main attraction is the selection of Japanese dishes you can select for a traditional and healthy start to your day.
The most memorable option was the black wagyu beef shabu-shabu made with Gion
Tsujiri’s bancha tea – something I hadn’t tried in the morning before. I also enjoyed the
pickle station and miso options.
The Courtyard: A Seasonal Centrepiece
One of the highlights at THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA is the beautiful courtyard sitting at the
centre of the property, surrounded by rooms and common spaces. You can see it from the
lobby, the tea lounge, the hallways, and many of the bedrooms. The trees and plants are
selected to highlight Kyoto’s changing seasons – different colours and textures throughout
the year.
During my stay, the leaves were beginning to turn, offering bright yellows and reds. I found
myself checking the courtyard every time I passed by because even small shifts in light or
weather changed how it looked. It’s a simple feature, but it adds a lot to the atmosphere of
the hotel.
One feature of the courtyard is the heated foot bath. It’s essentially an outdoor soaking pool
for your feet, which, after several hours of walking around temples and climbing stairways during your
Kyoto travel itinerary, is a welcome offering. It’s free to use and particularly lovely in the evening when the steam rises off the water in the darkness.
Tea Tastings: A Nice Cultural Touch
The hotel offers tea tastings that can be enjoyed at a beautiful spot whilst overlooking the courtyard – Sarei produced by Gion Tsujiri. You don’t need to be a tea expert to enjoy it. The staff member leading the session explained each tea in simple, practical terms, how it is grown, prepared and brewed.
The tasting isn’t overly formal, but still gives you a sense of Kyoto’s tea culture, which is a
big part of the region’s identity. The teas were served with snacks that complimented the
flavours – Hojicha cookie, Yuzu marshmallow and a Gyokuro madeleine.
Location: Excellent for Exploring Higashiyama
One of the best parts of staying at this hotel is how easy it is to get around. Many key
attractions are within walking distance. I left the hotel every day on foot, although there’s
also a subway station just a few minutes from the hotel, making it simple to reach other
areas of the city if you’re not keen on upping your step count.
Evenings at the Hotel: Calm and Comfortable
The hotel is not overly lively in the evenings, which suited me well. After full days of
sightseeing, I appreciated returning somewhere quiet. The lighting in the hallways and
common areas is soft, and there’s a relaxed but refined atmosphere throughout.
One evening I had a drink at the stylish bar inside the restaurant, Nananoichi. My visit had coincided with the release of the TOKYU HOTELS original Japanese whisky, “Single Malt TSUNUKI Special Edition Gotoh“. Available at 15 TOKYU HOTELS properties. It is a special bottling from the Hombo
Shuzo Mars Distillery in Kagoshima. My tasting was guided by the knowledgeable bartender who was part of the project team that selected the base spirit for this original whisky. I enjoyed the elevated peat levels of the whisky.
Final Thoughts
THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO TOKYU, A Pan Pacific Hotel, is an excellent choice for
travellers who want a calm, well-designed, and conveniently located base in Kyoto. It blends
modern comfort with traditional influences and offers a friendly service that feels like a home away from home.
It’s consistently high quality, exceptionally clean, and very comfortable. The overall
atmosphere is quiet and refined, making it ideal for visitors who want to unwind at the end of a busy day exploring Kyoto.
