By Kate Branch.
Kyoto completely redefined my idea of the welcome drink. A pleasant enough concoction, especially if you’ve just staggered off a plane or some equally questionable mode of transport. A chilled beverage and an icy towel do wonders for restoring one’s dignity after enduring the various forms of transit-induced chaos. It sets the tone: “Ah, yes, I am civilised again, and thank you, kind hotel staff, for recognising this.”
But Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto? Well, the minute you walk in, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. They don’t just offer a drink—they offer an experience. The hotel is nestled right next to Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and, by the way, the former Kyoto residence of none other than Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period. Yes, you’re not just in Kyoto—you’re practically in history itself. No pressure, of course, but the Mitsui family held this plot of land for over 250 years. Ten generations, mind you.
The highly professional staff, dressed in exquisite kimonos, greet us with warm tea and traditional sweets. And this isn’t just any tea; this is tea with over a millennium of history steeped into every cup (pun intended). It harks back to the Edo period, when tea culture blossomed alongside the construction of Nijo-jo Castle itself.The beautifully landscaped gardens and the architectural masterpiece of a pond make you wonder if you’ve stumbled into a centuries-old Japanese painting. The staff’s warmth is so genuine, you half expect them to bow and ask if you’re content with the alignment of the stars. And if you’re a tea enthusiast, you’ll be delighted to know there’s a dedicated tea ceremony room for guests. Sadly, my son was more taken by the lure of Samurai tales than a leisurely tea ritual, so we opted for castle exploration instead.
The coordination between the front desk and the F&B team was so seamless it felt like they were communicating telepathically. What truly sets Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto apart, though, is how perfectly it aligns with its surroundings. You’re not just staying in a hotel—you’re diving headfirst into a cultural immersion. The gardens, the tea, the spa—it all feels like a curated slice of Japanese tradition.If you’ve ever wanted to feel completely transported during a trip, this is the place to go. Just don’t blame me when every other welcome drink feels, well… a bit underwhelming in comparison!
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