Art hotels do more than offer luxury; they elevate your stay into an extraordinary cultural experience. Here, we introduce four exceptional art hotels in Kyoto, each uniquely showcasing artistic excellence.

Kyoto and Art Hotels: A Harmonious Blend of Culture and Luxury

Nestled in Kyoto’s historic Arashiyama, MUNI KYOTO offers a unique blend of Japanese and Western styles.

Located at the foot of the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, the hotel is a monochrome masterpiece that harmonizes with the surrounding Katsura River and Arashiyama landscape.

Upon entering, guests are greeted with a serene ambiance despite the bustling tourist area outside. The minimalist front desk, adorned with Soya Inada’s calligraphy “Muni” and Masanobu Ando’s suikinkutsu, exudes tranquility.

The courtyard “Shironiwa,” with its meticulously laid white stones and distinct pine tree contours, reflects the changing sunlight, creating a living Japanese painting.

The highlight of MUNI KYOTO is the breathtaking view from the guest rooms. Firstfloor rooms offer picturesque views of the main garden, “Kuroniwa,” with its seasonal flowers and plants. The private balcony provides an immersive experience with the garden’s flowing water beneath your feet.

Second-floor rooms offer panoramic views of Arashiyama, the Katsura River, and Togetsukyo Bridge. The high ceilings and expansive windows enhance the sense of openness, blending Japanese and Western architectural styles seamlessly.

MUNI offers rooms with three different views. There are garden view rooms on the first floor, as introduced on the previous page, river view rooms on the second floor with views of Togetsukyo Bridge and Arashiyama, and a maisonette that can accommodate three to four or more guests.

While the basic design remains consistent across non-maisonette rooms, repeat guests often choose between the first and second floors based on the season and their mood to enjoy the ambiance of Arashiyama. Indeed, the panoramic view of Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge from the second- floor balcony is a unique sight exclusive to this location. Among the 21 rooms, the second-floor premier corner twin, the closest room to Togetsukyo Bridge, is particularly popular among guests. The splendor of MUNI extends beyond the scenery. The guest rooms are imbued with subtle artistic elements.

For example, while the walls of the rooms are unified in “white,” the wall beside the bed is finished in the Western “Stucco Antico” style, and the opposite wall is finished in the Japanese “Shikkui” plaster. This blend of styles throughout the guest experience emphasizes Arashiyama’s status as an area rich in artistic and cultural heritage, with many World Heritage and cultural sites.

A glance at the single flower vase near the sofa reveals a postcard featuring Hiroshige Utagawa’s ukiyo-e, “Sixty-odd Provinces’ Famous Places: Yamashiro Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge.” This exquisite touch allows guests to feel a special connection to the timeless beauty of the location Hiroshige once depicted.

Contemporary Cuisine Created by Alain Ducasse in Kyoto

Alain Ducasse, the world’s first chef to earn Michelin stars at the youngest age and to achieve three stars in different countries. At Muni Alain Ducasse, named after him, operations are led by his beloved disciple Alessandro Guardianni.

The cuisine served in a dining room adorned with artworks like Chagall’s combines Japanese ingredients and French techniques, earning it a Michelin star not just in Kyoto but also throughout Japan. Additionally, MUNI LA TERRASSE offers breakfast, lunch, and tea time with views of the Katsura River, boldly integrating French cuisine with Arashiyama’s culture.

photographs / Shinichi Tomikawa