Genji Kyoto
A Sanctuary of Japanese Beauty
Nestled on the banks of Kamo River and within walking distance of major city attractions, Genji Kyoto enjoys the best of both worlds - tranquil neighborhood and central location. Return after a day of activities to an oasis of calm with friendly service, serene gardens and delicious dining.
In addition to our 19 rooms and suites, we have a Machiya townhouse just 2 minutes walk from Genji Kyoto. It is our newest and largest accommodation, and is ideal for a more private stay where one can still enjoy the facilities of our full-service hotel.
Introducing our new annex house
Genji Machiya
Rooms with River, City or Garden Views
Apart from Genji Machiya, we have 19 elegant rooms and suites, with tatami and sofa-sitting areas, custom designed furniture, washi lighting, radiant air cooling and floor heating, and luxurious bath and showers. Nine of our river rooms have balconies with breathtaking panorama. Each room has a painting by a Kyoto artist, drawing on a theme in the Tale of Genji, the novel that inspired our hotel’s name and design.
Atmospheric Lobby as your Living Room in Kyoto
We invite you to feel the ambience of our private lobby, filled with the aromas of fresh breakfasts in the morning or bathed in dusk light softened by washi windows at sunset. At any time of the day you can have a drink, a morsel of something delicious, or simply relax around our comfortable handmade furniture. Our friendly staff are always on hand to see to your comfort or help with organising activities.
Dining at Genji Kyoto is an elegant and relaxed affair. From breakfast to light meals and evening drinks, savoury dishes can be enjoyed in Genji Lounge, in the comfort of your room, or up in Sky Forest Garden. Our menu consists of soul-lifting Japanese and international dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Breakfasts are all freshly cooked and include Continental, Western and Japanese sets as well as a la carte dishes with vegetarian choices.
Gardens for Connecting with Nature
We have in our lobby courtyard a dry landscape garden called Ukifune, or “drifting boat”, which is a metaphor in a chapter of the Tale of Genji. In the novel, it represents the fleetingness of love and life as experienced by a lady known as Ukifune. In our garden, generally known as a Zen garden, the metaphor is represented by a boat-like stone that also symbolises our own earth drifting through the universe.
On the roof is Sky Forest Garden, planted with many trees and shrubs featured in the Tale of Genji. With stunning views of Kamo river and the Higashiyama Mountains, this hermitage within the city is a magical place for taking breakfasts, sipping sunset drinks, or watching the fun and games of river wildlife.
Besides the communal gardens, Genji Kyoto has tsubo gardens in and around the guest rooms. These are small pocket gardens that date back to the palace residences of the Heian period, and have been developed into an art form in machiya townhouses. In our hotel, they form tranquil vistas that blur the lines between inside and outside, and are a tribute to Kyoto’s architecture tradition.
Essence of Kyoto in Architecture and Design
Genji Kyoto is a contemporary interpretation of the traditions that shaped Kyoto’s machiya, from its roots 1,000 years ago through the Edo period when they developed into the present form. It pays homage to the spirit of Kyoto, an ancient city that embraces renewal and is always welcoming to visitors. From our bamboo-lined entrance to the gardens, furniture and lighting fixtures throughout the hotel, every detail is designed to engender serenity and a quiet luxury borne of tradition, craftsmanship and innovation.
Tale of Genji as Inspiration
The Tale of Genji, with its vivid descriptions of court society, architecture and gardens of the Heian period, has been a source of inspiration for Japanese artistic expression over many centuries.
The images and metaphors from the novel have been used as motifs for our garden and furniture, as well as the beautiful paintings hanging in our rooms, all lovingly created by young Kyoto artists.
Neighborhood with Vintage Charms
Our Gojo-Kawaramachi neighborhood is non-commercial and has a nostalgic feel to its vibrant streetlife, with age-old machiya converted into retro cafes, restaurants and bars. You will discover not only hidden gems established by creative young people, but also abundant nature and wildlife in this peaceful riverside locale.
Easy Access and Ideal Base for Kyoto Exploration
Accessing the rest of the city is easy, with Keihan train stations within 6 minutes’ walk, Gojō subway station 11 minutes away, and taxis and buses nearby. Our Guest Experiences team can recommend walking routes and help design itineraries. Whether you are interested in sights and culture or shopping and great food, Kyoto has plenty to offer throughout the year. See our homemade maps for points of interest, and our blog section for recommendations of sights, activities, and restaurants.