First in Japan! Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto – Full Tour of Kyoto’s Charm
Hello! I stayed at the Banyan Tree in Higashiyama, Kyoto Please enjoy the hotel details and surrounding sightseeing spots Entrance The wooden design beautifully evokes Japanese aesthetics Designed by Kengo Kuma Architects A new hotel that opened in August 2024 Let’s go inside A spacious entrance area This is what the room key looks like Staying in room 307. The 3rd floor of the south building is the top floor Electric curtains welcome us A hinoki (cypress) bath in the center of the room A spacious and comfortable room The greenery visible from the window is wonderful The Japanese-style design is truly magnificent Let’s prepare the bath Shower room Amenities Panoramic view of Kyoto from Higashiyama You can also see Kyoto Tower You can choose your own fragrance to adjust the room atmosphere Mini bar You can also choose a scent for the bath Contents of the refrigerator Snacks from the mini bar The tableware is also elegant There was some expensive-looking tea Let’s explore The entrance lobby is spacious It’s a beautiful space There’s also a garden The only hotel in Kyoto with a Noh stage It has an impressive structure There’s a large garden at the back There’s a bamboo grove Such places are rare even in Kyoto The bamboo forest is truly beautiful The sound of swaying bamboo is soothing Let’s go out for a bit Going down the slope Walking a bit, you’ll find the Ryozen Museum of History A museum in Higashiyama, Kyoto that specializes in the history of the late Edo period and Meiji Restoration Exhibits materials from both anti-shogunate and pro-shogunate factions, including Ryoma Sakamoto, Takamori Saigo, and the Shinsengumi The sword that historical figure Ryoma Sakamoto was killed with Being cut with something like this would be fatal The director is Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Panasonic You can learn about the major changes from the Edo period to the Meiji era Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto Ryoma-san…. Gokoku Shrine. Ryoma Sakamoto’s grave is here Let’s go down the slope You can see a five-story pagoda Let’s go to Ninenzaka Map of historical sites from the end of the Edo period There are many people Full of Kyoto atmosphere The most Kyoto-like townscape in Kyoto Ryoma Slope Hannya masks Incense shop It has been redeveloped for foreign tourists Even Starbucks is in Kyoto style Let’s go inside An interior that surprises even Japanese people Climbing up narrow stairs You can drink coffee in a tatami room This might be the only place you can have such an experience There are narrow paths The atmosphere is outstanding There are many tea shops Sweet potato desserts You can also rent kimono. From about $100 It’s fun so there are many people It feels both Japanese and foreign at the same time Plum souvenir shop You can taste samples Many plum products To Sannenzaka Hello Rickshaw Samurai armor and helmet Back at the hotel It was quite a good exercise The hotel also has a hot spring There are clear instructions on how to wear a yukata I’m a bit tired so taking a break Let’s go to the hot spring A clean locker room Free cold tea and other drinks Relaxing in the hot water It’s an open-air bath There’s also an indoor bath After relaxing in the bath, it’s time for dinner Menu Drinks were all-you-can-drink I chose non-alcoholic sparkling wine Starting with appetizers Roe simmered with ginger Rapeseed wrapped in prosciutto, deep-fried asparagus mince Firefly squid Served with lily bulb Let’s try it It was delicious Meticulously crafted Japanese cuisine The coating is crispy Next is the soup The dashi broth is flavorful and delicious Let’s try some sake Next is sashimi Fresh sashimi Yonezawa beef ichibo. The main dish Perfectly cooked This was truly delicious Next is chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) Beautiful Rice cooked in an iron pot Topped with sakura shrimp Crispy and delicious I had seconds Finally, dessert Cherry blossom ice cream monaka and strawberry The monaka was crispy and really delicious I’m full. The lobby at night is also beautiful Back in the room The room is clean due to turndown service What’s this? A snack was placed It’s getting late I’m full and satisfied Good night! Good morning It’s sunny today too Let’s have breakfast The same restaurant as last night From the restaurant, you can see the Noh stage we saw yesterday Breakfast menu Hojicha tea. The heart of Japanese people Breakfast is a bento box meal First tier Second tier Looks delicious… Even though I ate so much last night Post-meal cafe latte It was a very nice hotel A hotel where I stayed for the first night of the luxury train, Mizukaze Please watch the Mizukaze video too if you’d like
Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, this hotel opened in August 2024 and is located on a hill in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, close to landmarks such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Pagoda.
🛌 All 52 guest rooms incorporate traditional Japanese aesthetics with tatami flooring, hinoki baths, shoji screens, and hori-kotatsu while offering modern comfort.
🎭 Cultural Experiences
・The only Noh stage in a Kyoto city hotel
・Yoga and tea ceremony experiences in a tranquil space surrounded by bamboo
🍽️ Dining
・Ryotei “Ryozen”: Kaiseki cuisine featuring seasonal local ingredients
・Bar & Afternoon Tea: About 30 types of Kyoto-produced sake and Japanese-style afternoon tea
📍 Access
・Within walking distance to major tourist spots including Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, and Gion