THE SHINMONZEN

Tucked away between an art gallery and an antique shop in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, the Shinmonzen looks, from the street, relatively unassuming. The neat timber exterior resembles that of any other ryokan, or Japanese inn, but inside, this nine-suite boutique hotel is one of a kind. The Shinmonzen is a project by Tadao Ando, arguably the country’s most eminent architect — and this exquisitely designed hotel is his creative vision, at once nostalgic and futuristic, brought to life.

As the façade suggests, Ando took inspiration from the ryokan concept, and the minimalist interiors feature traditional tatami mats, shoji screens, muted lighting, and low-rise wooden furniture. But the Shinmonzen stands out for its remarkable details. The architect tapped artist friends and local craftspeople to make everything from modular sofas and striking sycamore-carved headboards to delicate ceramic cups and bamboo bento boxes. Suites are sleek and silent with futon beds, complimentary pajamas, robes, and slippers, and marble bathrooms with cypress-wood soaking tubs. All are filled with natural light, and some have balconies with river views.

There’s a French spirit to the place — the owner’s other hotel is the famed Villa La Coste in Provence — especially evident in its open-air café, where Parisian-style patisserie accompanies the afternoon tea, and at the formal restaurant features a menu by none other than Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Meanwhile the retro-styled six-seater Shinmonzen Bar, designed by the New York–based architect Stephanie Goto, offers impeccable omakase-style cocktail service, and when weather permits, the bar scene spills onto a beautiful riverside terrace.