Hotel Kanra Kyoto

Tokyo is Japan’s modern city, and Kyoto the traditional one — or so the stereotype would have it. In truth it’s a bit more complicated than that, thanks in part to exceptions like the Hotel Kanra Kyoto. It’s clear from a glance that this is an unmistakably modern design hotel, but it’s one that takes its inspiration from Kyoto’s ancient hospitality traditions.

A renovation has expanded it significantly, from 29 rooms to 68, and while the finishes are clean and sparkling new, if anything, the atmosphere is even more classic. The concept is a contemporary re-interpretation of Machiya style, whose handmade construction and simple, unadorned woodwork recalls both timeless ryokan style and austere 20th-century modernism.

The marriage of the contemporary and the traditional continues in the rooms and suites, which combine tatami-style seating with occasional Western-height furniture, and all are packed with stylish comfort, from the extra-wide beds and cushiony sofas to the selection of local teas and the artworks that accent the walls. Bathrooms feature tubs made of Japanese cypress, and many of the glass-walled showers feature small rock gardens. Some rooms come equipped with private courtyard gardens, and the Kanra Suite Annex boasts a secluded outdoor bath.

Meanwhile the lobby is home to a quiet café and a shop featuring handmade crafts from all over Japan. And the restaurant is a deep dive into the local food culture, featuring Wagyu beef, Kyoto-made sake, and all manner of traditional Japanese fare.

How to get there:
Hotel Kanra Kyoto is an 8-minute walk from the Kyoto train station, which is 80 minutes from Kansai International airport by express train.