Hi, I’m Meg.
In November 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, opened its doors across from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle.
I was lucky enough to stay there shortly after its grand opening — using Marriott Bonvoy points (only 50,000 points thanks to a special campaign, even during the peak autumn foliage season!) and a SNA (Suite Night Award) upgrade.
To my delight, I was upgraded to the Nijo Suite — one of the hotel’s most exclusive rooms.
This time, I’ll take you inside the stunning Nijo Suite, which normally costs over ¥400,000 (around USD 2,700) per night.
1. Entrance & Check-in
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto stands on the former site of the Mitsui family’s Kyoto residence, right in front of Nijo Castle.
The first thing that greets you is the magnificent Kajiinomiya Gate, a restored wooden gate with a history of more than 300 years.
Interestingly, the main entrance is not on Horikawa Street (which faces Nijo Castle) but one block east, along Aburanokoji Street.
After passing through the Kajiinomiya Gate, you enter a small garden area — peaceful and elegantly designed.
In the corner, there’s a white square structure on the right is the source of the hotel’s natural hot spring.
To the left, you’ll find the main hotel entrance.
The main hotel entrance viewed from the front.
Inside, the reception area is divided: the front desk is on the right, while the concierge stands on the left.
I almost confused the two since the concierge stood behind the counter and the front desk staff were seated at their desks! After disinfecting my hands and a quick temperature check at the entrance, I was guided into the lobby lounge area. Check-in was done comfortably while sitting on a sofa, overlooking a serene Japanese garden.
During the art tour later, I learned an interesting design detail — the first part of the lobby has a deliberately low ceiling to create a cozy sense of compression,
and as you walk deeper inside, the ceiling rises dramatically, opening into a bright, airy space with floor-to-ceiling windows.
It’s a stunning transition — stepping from calm intimacy to full openness, perfectly capturing Japanese architectural aesthetics.
While enjoying a welcome drink (delicious Japanese tea) and a small rakugan sweet, I finalized the check-in.
The staff kindly informed me that, although I had already been upgraded to the Nijo Suite through my SNA, there was an additional offer to move up to the Onsen Suite!
It was an incredibly tempting offer, but I decided to keep the Nijo Suite for its direct Nijo Castle view — turning down the Onsen Suite felt almost painful!
Perhaps there were last-minute cancellations due to new travel restrictions at the time (this was right after Osaka and Hokkaido were excluded from the Go To Travel campaign).
The garden view from the lobby was absolutely beautiful — I was told that in spring, you can see the spectacular weeping cherry blossoms.
To the left of the lobby area is the library,
and to the right is the Matcha Experience space,
where guests can enjoy a complimentary Japanese tea ceremony (reservation required).
At the end of the lobby, elevators lead up to the guest rooms.
Hotel The Mitsui has only four floors, due to Kyoto’s strict height restrictions for buildings.
Interestingly, the neighboring ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel appears to have eight floors — because it was built before the current zoning regulations took effect.
Taking the elevator up to the top floor (4th floor), I walked down the softly lit corridor decorated in traditional Japanese style…
Finally — it was time to open the door to the Nijo Suite!
２．Nijo Suite
2-1. Living Room
Here we go — time to open the door!
Ta-da!
The photos don’t do it justice, but the space that unfolded before me was breathtaking: a large entrance hall leading to an even larger living room, with a full view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle through the window. As you step inside, you’ll find soft slippers neatly arranged by the doorway — a subtle reminder to remove your shoes and embrace the Japanese way of entering a home.
Looking back toward the entrance, you can see how spacious the foyer is.
Unfortunately, I was too excited and forgot to photograph the closet and the separate restroom at the entrance — but I captured them during my luckily second stay in 2021!
Closet
washing space in the restroom.
The living room has a warm wooden floor, with a soft carpet in the center, and features a huge sofa, a large low table, a round dining table, chairs, a window seat, a big TV, and a minibar.
Because it’s a corner suite, you can see Horikawa Street stretching all the way north from the window.
Next to the TV stands the mini-bar area,
elegantly decorated with a small moss bonsai — such a charming touch of Kyoto’s nature.
Inside are various alcoholic beverages (charged) and even a cocktail shaker, showing the hotel’s attention to detail. On the right side sits a Nespresso machine.
In the drawers, you’ll find Nespresso capsules, TWG tea bags (complimentary), and a selection of snacks and drinks (charged).
The TWG teas provided were English Breakfast and Vanilla Bourbon, and a red Rooibos tea — caffeine-free herbal tea perfect for the evening.
Below is the mini refrigerator — fully stocked, but note that even if you move the items around, it won’t automatically charge you. There’s also a stylish wooden ice bucket and a De’Longhi electric kettle.
Since the hotel doesn’t have a club lounge, I appreciated having everything I needed for a relaxing in-room tea time. Two complimentary bottles of water were also provided (one bottle per person).
To the left side of the living room is a small dining area with a round table and chairs — perfect for enjoying in-room dining.
On the table were a cordless phone, welcome sweets, and a traditional tea set with loose tea leaves in small tea caddies.
The welcome sweets were beautifully presented: grapes, kumquats, mini monaka wafers, and seasonal Japanese confections decorated with autumn leaves — a lovely way to feel the spirit of Kyoto’s fall season.
2-2. Bedroom
Beyond the living room and dining area lies the bedroom, which can be separated by a sliding door.
The king-sized bed was large and incredibly comfortable, with a Simmons mattress. Through the window — again — the iconic Nijo Castle!
On the bedside tables were a phone, clock, memo pad, and pen.
The wall panels included convenient buttons for lights and curtains, along with USB ports and power outlets on both sides of the bed.
On one side stood a BOSE speaker, ensuring premium sound quality.
There’s also a work desk and a small round table with chairs by the window.
Each TV in the suite has a built-in BOSE sound system, allowing you to enjoy movies or music in rich, immersive sound.
On the desk, I discovered something quite unexpected — a Japanese calligraphy set!
It even included three different colors of ink: black, blue, and red.
I was tempted to try it, but worried that using it might mean it would need to be replaced, so I resisted. Perhaps it was more of a decorative touch — but an intriguing one!
From the window, you can clearly see the main gate of Nijo Castle, where people were lining up for the evening light-up event.
When night falls, the view transforms — the castle grounds illuminated beautifully against the Kyoto night sky.
Returning to the room after dinner, I found that turndown service had been done: two extra bottles of water and a delightful surprise — a matcha lip balm placed beside the bed.
It was made by Kazuraseirouho, a traditional Kyoto brand since the Meiji era, using real matcha from Ryuouen Chaho, a long-established tea house.
The balm was smooth and moisturizing, with a faint yet genuine matcha flavor — such a thoughtful touch!
Across from the window area were decorative art pieces, and further inside, a walk-in closet and a bathroom.
During my 2021 stay, I requested an air purifier and was provided with an ultra-stylish cado air purifier
and humidifier — both sleek, modern, and perfectly fitting the room’s aesthetic.
2-3. Walk-in Closet & Dressing Area
Between the bedroom and bathroom lies a spacious dressing area with a vanity table, large mirror, and makeup lighting.
Inside the drawer was a hair dryer and a magnifying mirror — perfect for makeup.
The walk-in closet itself was large and practical, complete with a yoga mat (just like at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko!).
In the drawers were pajamas.
I prefer two-piece pajamas to typical one-piece ones.
Between the vanity and the closet was a chest of drawers, where the safe was neatly built in.
2-4. Bathroom
At the far end of the suite lies the bathroom, featuring double sinks — perfect for two guests traveling together.
Bath amenities were beautifully arranged in a Japanese style wooden tray,
and the cups were ceramic — elegant and earthy. All bath amenities were Parfum Satori by La Bottega, specially blended for Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. The scent was subtle, sophisticated, and calming — the same fragrance that fills the reception area.
Here too, there was another hair dryer
both dryers in the suite were from Holistic Cures, a premium Japanese brand.
To the left is a tankless toilet, 左側にタンクレスウォシュレットトイレ。ドアを入った玄関スペースにも独立したトイレがあるので、トイレ2個あるのも結構便利でした。
and to the right, a spacious bathroom with glass door, the bathrobes were exceptionally fluffy and soft,
a large soaking tub, rain shower, and even a television in front of the bathtub. The bathtub itself is deep and luxurious, with a built-in seat and handrail — perfect for a long soak while watching TV.
Handheld shower.
The rain shower sprays ultra-fine water droplets that feel soft and refreshing.
Bath amenities, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and hand soap, are also Parfum Satori originals.
Buttons for shower and rain shower.
Huge bathtub!
There’s even a loofah sponge and bath salts — small details that make a big difference.
2-5. A Little Extra
I noticed that the room key card had a beautiful seasonal painting on it, and during the art tour, I learned its story.
Hotel The Mitsui has a special banquet room called “Shiki-no-Ma” (Room of the Four Seasons),
with eight sliding door paintings created by the contemporary artist Takafumi Asakura — two panels each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The key card design changes depending on the season, matching one of those paintings — mine featured the autumn motif. Such exquisite attention to detail!
The staff also explained that there’s a gate on Horikawa Street that usually remains closed — it only opens for guests with meal reservations at Shiki-no-Ma.
Regular hotel guests enter from Aburanokoji Street, so be sure not to head to the wrong gate.
３．Thermal Spring (hot spring)
One of the most unique features of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is its Thermal Spring, located on the basement floor.
Unlike traditional Japanese onsen, this one is designed with international guests in mind — it’s a mixed-gender hot spring pool where everyone wears swimwear.
Don’t worry if you didn’t bring your own — the hotel provides rental swimsuits (free of charge).
For women, the set includes a black short-length bra top and shorts, stylish and easy to move in.
You can head there wearing your bathrobe and slippers, and everything you need — including towels — is already provided, so no need to carry anything from your room.
The number of guests allowed in the facility is restricted due to COVID-19 measures, so it’s best to check the current crowd status on the TV in your room or by calling the front desk before going.
Children aged 4 to 15 can use the facility between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, while at other times, it’s reserved for guests aged 16 and over.
The changing rooms are, of course, separate for men and women, each equipped with lockers, individual shower rooms, and even a private dressing room (only 1).
In the shower area, you’ll find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash; in the dressing area, there are toner, emulsion, and body lotion, as well as makeup remover at the wash basin.
The hair dryers here are also by Holistic Cures, the same as in the guest rooms. The hot spring itself is colorless and odorless, so it feels almost like a heated swimming pool — in fact, the hotel’s official site describes it as a “thermal spring pool.”
Photography isn’t allowed inside, so I’ve included official picture here: the space is incredibly chic and relaxing, with a jacuzzi area and sofa seating along the poolside.
It’s a perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring Kyoto.
from official website
For those who prefer privacy, there’s also a Private Onsen, available for JPY 15,000 per 60 minutes (plus tax and service charge).
The complimentary Thermal Spring was more than enough for me — a serene, rejuvenating experience that perfectly complements the hotel’s tranquil atmosphere.
4. Final Thoughts
My stay at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO was truly exceptional.
From the beautifully restored Kajiinomiya Gate, to the Nijo Suite with its breathtaking Nijo Castle view, and finally the modern yet relaxing Thermal Spring, every part of the experience reflected a deep sense of Japanese harmony and aesthetics.
This isn’t just a luxury hotel — it’s a place where tradition and modern design coexist beautifully, and where hospitality is expressed through every thoughtful detail.
If you’re looking for an elegant Kyoto stay that combines Japanese culture, comfort, and quiet sophistication, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is the perfect choice.
Would I stay here again?
Absolutely, without a second thought.
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