Banyan Group has announced the upcoming opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto in the third quarter of 2024, marking the debut of the Banyan Tree brand in Japan.
Located in the historic Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto City, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will feature 52 guestrooms, a signature Banyan Tree Spa and two distinctive dining experiences.
The upcoming property will stand on the former site of the esteemed Hotel Ryozen in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, home to attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodai-ji Temple, and Higashiyama Onsen hot spring.
Designed by Yukio Hashimoto, the hotel’s 52 guestrooms will feature traditional Japanese materials, including large cypress wood bathtubs, tatami mats, natural wood elements, and gold leaf accents.
Banyan Tree says that the Ryozen area within Higashiyama mountain is sacred and has long served as a boundary between the town and the mountains of Kyoto.
This area is said to symbolise the transition between the world and the afterlife.
Interestingly, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will feature a Noh stage.
Nohgaku, a traditional Japanese performing art featuring supernatural themes such as ghosts and gods, has been performed continuously for around 650 years and was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.
The Noh stage, comprising the “main stage” and “Kagami no Ma,” represents two worlds, with the “Hashigakari” acting as a bridge between them.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto has constructed a unique Noh stage on its premises to reflect this boundary nature.
Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, this is the only Noh stage in a Kyoto hotel.
Banyan Group’s current portfolio spans more than 80 hotels and resorts, over 60 spas and galleries, and 14 branded residences in over 20 countries.
