Experiences
As the imperial capital of Japan for over 1000 years, Kyoto is a profoundly rich locus of Japanese history and culture. As the birthplace of many cornerstones of Japanese culture, such as the Way of Tea, calligraphy and many other traditional arts, Kyoto continues to be the cultural heart of the country. Horseshoed by mountains, Kyoto is a sight to behold at any time of year, during any season. Kyoto is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites and countless ancient temples and shrines. At HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, we will put our heart into making your stay a memorable one, with opportunities and activities for guests to capture and experience the unique culture and history of the ancient capital.
A Timeless Summer Journey Through Arashiyama
Time: 3pm - 6:30pm
Number of Participants: One group for the day, on a first-come, first-served basis. *Maximum of 4 participants
Price: JPY 400,000 for the group (tax included)
Enjoy a rare, one-day-only experience curated by HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO ― designed to immerse you in the cultural and natural beauty of Arashiyama in Kyoto.
Exclusive Gozan no Okuribi Viewing with a Curated Dinner at the Former Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Date: Saturday, August 16th, 2025 | Starts at 6:30 PM
Capacity: 10 guests
Price: 88,000 JPY per person
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO presents an exclusive one-night event to view Gozan no Okuribi from the Former Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa. Enjoy a special French dinner by Chef Tetsuya Asano, followed by a private viewing of the iconic “Dai” fire from the villa’s rarely accessible watchtower ― a refined summer evening steeped in history and elegance.
Exclusive Seats for Hotel Guests at the Gion Matsuri Festival
Dates: July 17th, 2025 / July 24th, 2025
Number of visitors: Limited to 30 visitors per day
Time: From 9am *Meet at the site
Price: JPY 25,000 per person (tax included)
Experience Kyoto’s Gion Festival up close from HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO’s exclusive seats. Witness the dramatic Naginata Hoko turn and the rare Kujiaratame ritual, with audio guides enhancing your view of the festival’s moving art museum.
Kids' Hotelier Academy in Summer
Price : 5,000 yen per activity per child
Duration: 40–60 minutes (varies by number of participants)
An exclusive experience for children to challenge various hotel jobs alongside hotel staff. Wearing uniforms, they can try activities such as making tea in our CHAKYO tea arbor, making pizzas, and creating cocktails.
Private Early Morning Tour of the World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera
Time: 6:30am to 8:30am
Number of Participants: One group per day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Maximum of 4 participants per group
Price: JPY 400,000 per group (tax included)
Join an exclusive early morning tour of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu-dera, led by steward and priest Shoun Onishi. Explore the temple before public hours, including a rare visit to the Hozoden—normally closed to visitors—to view treasured Buddhist statues and cultural artifacts. Amidst the stillness of dawn and cherry blossoms, experience a deeply personal and reflective journey unlike any other.
TOKINOHA collaboration with HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO A Dialogue and Experience with a Master of the Kiyomizu Tradition of Ceramics
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Price :
Custom-Made Course: JPY350,000 per group (1–4 guests)
Kintsugi Course: JPY250,000 per group (1–4 guests)
At TOKINOHA, the ceramic studio led by master craftsman Daisuke Shimizu, you’ll find pieces that redefine the concept of traditional Kiyomizu pottery. This tour offers a visit to the TOKINOHA Ceramic Studio, where guests can explore the workshop, shop for unique items, and consult directly with Mr. Kiyomizu to commission one-of-a-kind, custom-made pieces. Additionally, guests will also have the chance to try their hand at kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending pottery with gold and lacquer. This ancient craft, now admired for its sustainable values, allows you to repair and restore a unique piece of your own to take home.
Both experiences are exclusively available to guests of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO.
*Please make reservations at least 7 days in advance.
Meditation YOGA in Private Onsen 150mins
Price : JPY50,000 1～2 people
YOGA 60mins / Private Onsen 90mins
In Meditation Yoga, you will relax your body with simple poses, focus on your inner senses through breathing, and deepen your meditation with the use of incense. After yoga, enjoy a private spa bath, healthy smoothies and vegan butter sandwiches.
HOSOO × HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Private Kyoto Kimono Experience
Price:
One person: JPY150,000～
Two persons: JPY250,000～
HOSOO was founded in 1688 in Nishijin, Kyoto. Nishijin is the name of an area in the old city of Kyoto, known for silk weaving and kimono-making. Nishijin textiles are called Nishijin-ori, a weaving tradition born in the ancient capital of Kyoto some 1,200 years ago, supported by the aristocracy, the warrior class and wealthy merchants. HOSOO is proud to be a part of the long and storied tradition of Nishijin-ori. The pursuit of overwhelming beauty and exceptional craftsmanship passed down through the generations is a hallmark of HOSOO textiles.
This package is an opportunity to partake in an exquisite experience that will add colour and splendour to your stay in Kyoto.
Experience Tranquility with a Bowl of Tea at CHAKYO
Duration: approx. 25 minutes
Price: JPY2,500 per person
The CHAKYO tea ceremony alcove at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is overseen by So’oku Sen, heir apparent to the position of iemoto or headmaster of Mushakouji Senke, one of the three Houses of Sen that descend from Sen Rikyu, considered the historical figure with the most profound influence on chanoyu, the Japanese Way of Tea. Our Ambassadors, who receive personal instruction from a Mushakouji Senke tea master, will perform a ryurei-style seated tea procedure at CHAKYO. You may be tired after your journey to the hotel - or maybe you just want to sit and talk about what you have experienced in Kyoto - either way, please take a moment for yourself and enjoy this authentic experience.
Transformative Morning Practice - Wellness Breathing
Duration: approx. 40 min.
Price: Complimentary for Our Guests
*This experience is suitable for guests aged 13 and older.
Join us for a wellness breathing session led by an instructor, beginners welcome. We will gather on the elegant wooden engawa garden-viewing corridor of the SHIKI-NO-MA room for an opportunity to be reinvigorated and energized as the morning sun warms the flora and fauna of our beautiful Japanese garden.
- * Once you have chosen an experience, we recommend making a reservation.
- * Currently, in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, we are limiting participation numbers for some of the experiences.
- *Please note that all images shown are depictions.
