Tokyo might get all the press but if you want to really travel to the heart of Japan then Kyoto should be your destination. Zen temples, palaces, 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites and now The Ritz-Carlton. Lists like that can be hard to ignore.
Unsurprisingly, the design honours the heritage of the city with the character and aesthetic of a traditional Meiji house. While all rooms and suites have full views over the river and Higashiyama Mountains, a stay in the Kamogawa Suite – and sister suites – is must, featuring moon deck gardens and floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of your unrivaled view.
Street food in Kyoto is flourishing and no visit should be without a trip to Nishiki Market, however there are a couple of restaurants in the hotel that should find a place on your list too. While the Japanese restaurant Mizuki has some great tempura and sushi, try the Italian restaurant La Locanda. Here you’ll find a walk-in charcuterie, a cheese cellar and a private room (Ebisugawataei) that’s a preserved, historically listed building.
Kyoto is a city which effortlessly combines tradition and modernity. The Ritz-Carlton has recognized this and provided a hotel that follows suit.