Six Senses Kyoto, the brand’s first property in Japan, is located in the heart of the historic capital, surrounded by historic landmarks and ancient shrines, shaded by cherry blossoms, and ringed by the cedar-covered mountains of the region. This urban resort juxtaposes the wellness escape experience and its location in the heart of a modern city by tapping into the essence of the Heian era – a time of refined courtly sensibilities and artistic subtlety.
The task of conceptualising the first Six Senses property in Japan was given to Blink Design Group, a leading Singapore-based multi-disciplinary design studio specialising in the luxury hospitality sector. The challenge was to bring the brand’s signature blend of luxury hospitality and wellness to the cultural heart of Kyoto – the historic Higashiyama district.
“The abiding philosophy of [the Heian] age was the concept of ‘Miyabi’, a kind of heightened refinement, sense of order and appreciation of nature which became our mantra and flows through the entire design,” says Blink’s founder Clint Nagata. “Miyabi was part of the fabric of life and guided the arts and crafts of the period; an appreciation for the gestures and rituals that mark the passage of an ordinary day. The interplay of light and shadow, the changing colours and moods of the seasons.”
The lobby artwork sets the tone with a folding screen featuring 504 hand-crafted Kyoto-made Rakuyaki tiles. These symbolize the silhouette of the sacred Mount Kurama, one of the legendary settings of the Tale of Genji and the birthplace of Reiki – a Japanese energy healing method. Opposite the folding screen is a whimsical art piece which is a modern take on “Chōjū-giga” – Scrolls of Frolicking Animals – believed to be the very first manga (Japanese graphic novels) in the nation’s history.
The contrasting artwork sets the stage for the hotel’s blend of history, artistry, playfulness and emotional hospitality. The hotel’s biophilic design is evident in the usage of wood and natural materials, along with meandering paths through inner Japanese gardens, chosen to connect guests with the surrounding nature. The resort’s sense of playfulness – asobi gokoro – references elements of Japanese culture, including ‘wabi-sabi’ the beauty of appreciating materials and items for simplicity and natural beauty.
The idea of connecting with nature extends to the resort’s 81 guest rooms and suites, which include the Premier Suite Garden with a private Japanese courtyard and the 238 square-meter Three Bedroom Penthouse Suite. Every accommodation unit is arranged to offer views of the tranquil central courtyard, the gardens of the neighbouring Toyokuni Shrine, or the city panorama of treetops, temples, tea shops, and rooftops.
“The internal garden provides the first layer in connecting guests with nature,” says Nagata. “However, by bringing biophilic elements into the interior through pocket gardens, ikebana, hanging plants, skylights, natural materials, and textures (all locally sourced), the interiors will not only honour the history of Kyoto’s famous gardens but also provide guests with moments of pause and contemplation throughout the hotel.”
All bedrooms offer the Sleep With Six Senses concept, designed to promote peaceful slumber through organic mattresses, temperature-regulating pillows, duvets, and organic cotton sheets. For further optimization, sleep aids and programs are also available, through personalized sleep consultation that integrates insights from guests’ sleep tracker combined with soothing treatments, nutritional guidance, and low-intensity training.
Sekki, the resort’s all-day dining venue, serves hyper-seasonal weekly menus and drinks thanks to Executive Chef Hiroki Shishikura’s close relationships with local farmers and producers. Guided by Japan’s 24 micro-seasons, or sekki, the menu highlights a veg-forward lineup, complemented by a carefully sourced meat and seafood selection.
“Seasonality is a key concept in our culture that we celebrate through traditional events, nature, and food,” explains Chef Hiroki. “We show appreciation for what nature gives us and, as an island country, we are blessed with an abundance of produce throughout the year.
“We incorporate this concept into our menu by working with local producers and artisans to provide ultra-seasonal produce that varies week-by-week. So, every time you visit Sekki, there’s always a moment of discovery and surprise in the dining experience.”
The venue’s decor is inspired by the life of a tree, from budding elements in the courtyard to lush and petrified textures in the main dining area, the private dining room and the open kitchen. The spaces are reminiscent of Kyoto’s gardens from the past, where Heian period writers gazed at imperial gardens while writing prose as the seasons changed.
The adjacent Café Sekki boasts a selection of fresh brews, craft teas, homemade kombucha, healthy juices, and guilt-free sweets and pastries using only natural ingredients and traditional fermentation techniques. Its decor is inspired by the rock gardens of Kyoto with a raw textured aesthetic and a main bar made of stone, along with Japanese knotted art pieces and woven rattan panels.
Nine Tails, the speakeasy cocktail bar, offers evocative creations alongside thoughtfully designed non-alcoholic options crafted from artisanal condiments and homemade syrup and cordials. It features hammered glass screens for filtered light and privacy along with recessed seating niches for intimate gatherings. The rooftop bar, meanwhile, echoes Tsuridono – open pavilions in the Japanese Court architecture style of the Heian period.
The resort’s Six Senses Spa integrates traditional healing techniques with modern science, drawing inspiration from Kyoto’s Zen philosophy. Through the use of wood and stone, along with its light and airy vibe, the spa’s decor plays with the notion of traditional onsen bathing. The spa offers integrated wellness programs ranging from a half-day to six days, with a focus on Sleep, Detox, Yoga, and Fitness.
The wellness experience begins with a Ryokan-style welcome and tea tasting. Guests can choose to blend their own beauty scrubs at the Alchemy Bar or take the Omakase route, and leave it to the spa’s team of skilled therapists to curate a bespoke treatment. As with the dining venues, ingredients are chosen every period to reflect Japan’s 24 micro-seasons. The spa lounge has a concept store offering a selection of fashion, homeware, skincare and lifestyle products.
Guests begin their journey with a signature Wellness Screening, which analyzes key health biomarkers in minutes, allowing experts to make personalized recommendations tailored to individual needs and goals. Highlights include the Kyoto-exclusive Ah-un treatment, which symbolizes the pursuit of inner peace, balance, and awakening in Zen through a series of rituals and harmonizing body and sound therapies.
Watsu, or aquatic bodywork, relieves tensions of the body and mind through hydrotherapeutic moves and stretches in the city’s only dedicated pool for the treatment. The adjacent Biohack Recovery Lounge – equipped with state-of-the-art recovery devices such as compression therapy – is ideal for dealing with modern-day issues such as travel fatigue.
Sustainability is a core commitment of the resort, expressed through its eco-centric design and construction, operational practices and local contributions. Guests can join a sustainability tour or explore interactive workshops at the Earth Lab, designed to foster a deeper understanding and connection with local culture and sustainable practices.
The resort’s dedicated Sustainability Fund, supported by 0.5 per cent of the hotel’s revenue, contributes to locally based organizations such as Biotope Network Kyoto and Council for Kyoto Traditional Forest Culture. Both are involved in regenerating, conserving, and educating younger generations on forestry revitalization and its cultural value.
