About this hotel
General information
The Shinmonzen is an intimate nine-suite hotel in Kyoto’s old Gion quarter, set between the quiet Shirakawa River and Shinmonzen Street, a lane known for its art galleries and antique dealers. The contemporary building takes its cue from the traditional ryokan: light filters through shoji screens, bathrooms hold hinoki cypress tubs, and every suite opens onto a balcony above the water.
The hotel is conceived as a home for lovers of art and good food. A collection of contemporary work by Japanese and Western artists — nihonga painting, photography, embroidery — hangs along the corridors and in the suites, and service follows the Japanese spirit of omotenashi. Breakfast and a stocked minibar are included in the stay, a riverside lounge offers seasonal drinks and small bites, and the restaurant draws on its own wine cellar.
Location
The hotel lies in Higashiyama ward, in Gion, between the bank of the Shirakawa and Shinmonzen Street, a short walk from Tatsumi Bridge and the historic lanes of the quarter. Kyoto Station is about 15 minutes away by car, Itami Airport about an hour and Kansai Airport about an hour and a half. The hotel arranges private transfers.
Spa
Treatments, reiki among them, are given in the hotel’s spa room or in the suite.
Sports & leisure
A cardio gym is open around the clock, and every suite has a yoga mat. The hotel arranges private Zen meditation at Ryosoku-in, a sub-temple within the grounds of Kennin-ji, a tea ceremony at Korin-in temple, a private rickshaw ride through the quarter from Tatsumi Bridge, and tailored art experiences built around its own collection and the galleries of Shinmonzen Street.
Restaurants & bars
Dining and drinks centre on the Shirakawa River.
- Jean-Georges at The Shinmonzen — the main restaurant, with a seasonal menu where French cooking meets American and Asian influences, built on local produce; tasting menus and à la carte for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a cellar of more than 3,000 bottles, and a house blend of Kyoto Arabica coffee and Japanese teas to finish
- The Bar — a six-seat bar whose textured walls nod to Kyoto’s traditional crafts, pouring seasonal and classic cocktails with a Japanese touch and wines; in the warmer months it opens onto the riverside terrace
- Riverside Terrace — a terrace on the bank of the Shirakawa serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in season
- Afternoon Tea — pastries and desserts from the hotel’s own pastry team, served on the terrace or in a private room
- Riverside Lounge — a lounge for hotel guests with seasonal drinks and small bites included in the stay
Rooms
Nine suites, each with its own name and a private balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River. Three have Japanese-style bedrooms with tatami floors and futon beds, and most bathrooms hold a hinoki cypress tub.
A 55-inch 4K TV, USB chargers, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a safe, organic cotton bed linen and towels, the hotel’s own organic bath products, a marble double vanity, a rain shower, a bathrobe, pyjamas and yukata, a Dyson hairdryer, a yoga mat, breakfast and a minibar included in the stay, and evening turndown.
Washi
A one-bedroom suite with a king bed, a hinoki tub and a balcony above the Shirakawa River, fitted with furniture and materials made for it.
Tooki
A suite with a king bed, a hinoki tub and a larger balcony looking over the Shirakawa.
Ishi
A suite with a Japanese-style tatami bedroom and twin futon beds, a hinoki tub and a balcony above the river.
Hinoki
A suite with a king bed, a hinoki cypress tub and a balcony facing the Shirakawa.
Jiki
A one-bedroom suite with twin beds and a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and shoji screens; the bathroom has a spacious walk-in rain shower, and the balcony looks over the river.
Take
A suite in the spirit of a traditional ryokan: a tatami bedroom with twin futon beds, a living room, shoji screens and a balcony above the Shirakawa reached from both rooms.
Urushi
A one-bedroom suite with a king bed, a hinoki tub and a balcony over the river, approached along a corridor hung with art.
Suisho
An open-plan suite with twin beds, a walk-in wardrobe, floor-to-ceiling windows and a hinoki tub; its large terrace above the Shirakawa holds a dining table and sun loungers.
Kinu
The largest suite, conceived as a modern ryokan: a tatami bedroom with twin futon beds, a spacious living room, a walk-in wardrobe, a hinoki tub and two balconies over the river opening from both bedroom and living room.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.