kyoto
Latest
Fresh stays
We present the finest hotels for your perusal this month, from a former Iranian embassy in Belgrade to a cinema-themed opening in Tbilisi. Plus: new shops that make responsible retail a pleasure.
Hidden treasures
On a quiet residential street in Japan’s historic capital stands a living monument to the city’s coveted craft traditions.
Game changer
Nintendo’s former headquarters have reopened as a boutique hotel designed by Tadao Ando. The architect has retained many original elements, with nods to the company’s origins as a producer of playing cards.
Small wonder
Distilling the charms of the traditional Japanese ryokan and elevating the experience with bespoke design were the goals of the hotelier behind The Shinmonzen.
Bags of potential
As Christmas beckons, we circumnavigate the globe with more efficiency and insider nous than Santa himself, dropping in on the finest spots and shops to source seasonal gifts.
Feeling browsy
Looking for inspiration to live better? Here are some shops that impress us with their interiors, product picks and specialist know-how.
Fitting room
A renaissance in handmade Japanese sandals is attracting a discerning clientele who are discovering how to match them not only with traditional looks but modern-day outfits too.
Food & Drink
Chef Fumihiko Kono transforms his grandmother's Kyoto townhouse into the city's most sought-after reservation, serving seasonal charcoal-grilled dishes that blend Japanese tradition with European technique.
Here to stay
Refined stays hewn with bags of original charm from the centre of Kyoto to the shores of California, by way of an upscale Alpine lodge and a Danish island retreat.
Check-in time
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is opening a new chapter in Japanese hospitality, marking a foray into luxury hotels where foreign marques have reigned unchallenged.
