Located amid a secluded five acre 12th century pond garden, in the shadow of Higashiyama Mountain in the temple district of Kyoto Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is just moments from key centres of business, culture, history and natural wonders.
To help guests immerse themselves in Kyoto?s traditional culture as well as its cutting edge innovation, Four Seasons invents the Experience Creator. Hana Morioka was born in the city, and remembers seeing Shakusuien, the ikeniwa (pond garden) as a child, long before the Hotel was built around it. Her mandate is to secure the many keys to the city that will take Four Seasons guests places even locals don?t know about.
Kyoto experiences may include a genuine Kiyomizu ceramics-making class using traditional techniques, with one?s own handmade pieces shipped home once the intricate process is complete; or lantern making that the whole family can enjoy together. Guests can have a ninja training session including kuji-in meditation, movement and weaponry. For the culinary traveller, Four Seasons helps decipher the Japanese palate, and points the way to the city?s most outstanding restaurants. The amateur chef even has the opportunity to take home a personally monogrammed Aritsugu kitchen knife made by a centuries-old artisan shop that originally crafted swords for the Imperial House of Japan.
For those who wish to explore the city, Four Seasons has developed three rickshaw tours, and Hana ? who speaks fluent French as well as Japanese ? can...