The Shinmonzen

The Shinmonzen is a luxury boutique hotel exclusively located in the beautifully preserved streets of Gion Shirakawa and Shinmonzen. A 10-year combined labor of love project by famed contemporary architect, Tadao Ando, and world class cosmopolitan interior designer Rémi Tessier, their pooled talents created this intimate retreat of peaceful elegance from the sights and sounds of Gionʼs buzzing alleys and cobbled streets. Offered are 9 distinct suites all with private balconies featuring views of the Shirakawa River and 500 thread count organic cotton bed linen from Pedersoli. Western style suites feature plush king-sized Edwardian beds and hand-woven carpet flooring from Kawashima Orimono. While Japanese style suites feature twin IWATA futon beds with tatami mat bedroom flooring. All suites offer exclusive Villa La Coste/The Shinmonzen organic bath amenities with many suites feature Hinoki cypress bathtubs. There are two dining options, the Jean-Georges restaurant, which showcases exquisitely crafted dishes blending French, American, and Asian influences and the Riverside Lounge where guests can sip fine wines with light fare. Facilities include a cardio gym to maintain fitness and spa for pampering massages. This hotel is 1.5 hours from the Kansai International Airport (KIX).

Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is conveniently located on the most beautifully preserved streets of Gion with the Shirakawa River flowing next to it.

Service: Guests enjoy the highly personalized experience with Japanese Omotenashi service in this authentic ryokan environment.

Comfort: The Shinmonzen is a hybrid-ryokan combining the traditional features of a ryokan with contemporary luxury furnishings, including large comfortable beds.

Destination: Kyoto, Japan
Hotel Type: Boutique
Location Type: Urban Retreat

Amenities

Fitness Center
Restaurant

The Shinmonzen offers 9 unique suites all defined by elegant comfort, and each accented with different native materials such as bamboo, lacquer, silk, and stone. Bathrooms feature aromatic cypress soaking tubs, immense marble counters, and the rooms feature either velvety soft tatami floors or hand-woven carpets. Every detail of these bright, spacious residences is alive with the elemental beauty of nature, augmented by striking custom artworks. Scenic balconies overlooking the Shirakawa River provide a peaceful elegance and intimate retreat from the sights and sounds of Gionʼs buzzing alleys and cobbled streets.

Washi

An intimate 40 sqm (430 sqft) one-bedroom suite designed with minimalist yet luxurious, customized materials and furniture. The bedroom includes an Edwardian Bedding king sized bed with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli and hand-woven carpet from Kawashima Orimono. The bathroom features a Hinoki bathtub for ultimate relaxation and a cream-colored monolithic marble double vanity for your comfort. Washi features a 4 sqm (43 sqft) private balcony with a view of the gleaming Shirakawa river.

Tooki

This intimate one-bedroom 46 sqm (490 sqft) suite features a spacious 8 sqm (86 sqft) balcony accessible from both the bedroom and living room overlooking the Shirakawa river. The bedroom includes an Edwardian Bedding king sized bed with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli and hand-woven carpet from Kawashima Orimono. The living room emphasizes plenty of natural light peeking through from Shoji sliding doors. Additional highlights are an open walk-in closet, unique art pieces, monolithic marble single vanity and a Hinoki bathtub for ultimate relaxation.

Hinoki

This 56 sqm (600 sqft) suite located on the top floor with a private 8 sqm (86 sqft) balcony featuring the views of both Gion Shirakawa and tranquil Shirakawa river. It features a spacious living room, walk-in closte, and bathroom with traditional Hinoki bathtub and marble double vanity. The bedroom includes an Edwardian Bedding king sized bed with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli and hand-woven carpet from Kawashima Orimono.

Ishi

Ryokan inspired, this one-bedroom 56 sqm (600 sqft) suite features tatami flooring in the bedroom and IWATA twin futon beds with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli. Highlights include its private balcony overlooking the Shirakawa river, walk-in closet, and bathroom with a marble double vanity and Hinoki bathtub for an in-suite ‘onsen’ experience.

Take

Ryokan inspired, this one-bedroom 58 sqm (620 sqft) suite features tatami flooring in the bedroom and IWATA twin futon beds with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli. A spacious 8 sqm (86 sqft) private balcony with the views of Shirakawa river is accessible from both the bedroom and living room. The suite allows plenty of natural lights to peek through from the Shoji sliding doors and a large living room space for lounging.

Jiki

This expansive one-bedroom 58 sqm (620 sqft) suite features a private 5 sqm (54 sqft) balcony with the view of Shirakawa river. The bedroom includes 2 Edwardian Bedding twin sized beds with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli and hand-woven carpet from Kawashima Orimono. The living space is designed with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing soft natural lights to peek through from the Shoji sliding doors. Additional features include exclusive custom amenities, spacious walk-in rain shower and cream colour monolithic marble double vanity.

Urushi

The journey to this one-bedroom 62 sqm (670 sqft) suite includes a greeting of unique art pieces on the hallways prior entering the suite. Urushi offers an intimate living room and a separate bedroom with an Edwardian Bedding king sized bed with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli and hand-woven carpet from Kawashima Orimono. Additional features are Hinoki bathtub, cream colour monolithic marble double vanity and an expansive open closet.

Suisho

This spacious 68 sqm (730 sqft) suite features 2 balconies 25 & 4 sqm (269 & 43 sqft) with a large terrace with dining table and sun loungers on the larger and views of the Shirakawa River from the smaller. The suite features a large walk-in closet, lots of natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, and an aromatic cypress wood bathtub and double vanity in the bathroom. The bedroom includes 2 Edwardian Bedding twin sized beds with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli and hand-woven carpet from Kawashima Orimono.

Kinu

This spacious 80 sqm (860 sqft) suite features 2 balconies 9 & 4 sqm (97 & 43 sqft). Highlights of the suite includes a traditional Hinoki bathtub for an in-suite ‘onsen’ experience, sea grass shade monolithic marble double vanity, spacious living room area, a walk-in closet, and a private balcony accessible from both the bedroom and living room with the views of Shirakawa river. The bedroom is designed to give you a modern Japanese Ryokan inn feels featuring tatami flooring in the bedroom and IWATA twin futon beds with 500 thread count organic cotton linen from Perdersoli.

The Shinmonzen offers a cardio gym for guests to maintain their fitness and a spa offering a range of treatments to relax.

Cardio Gym

To maintain your fitness whilst enjoying your utmost privacy, The Shinmonzen offers a small cardio gym with exercise equipment such as stationary bike, treadmill, and rowing machine.

Spa

For optimal relaxation, enjoy a range of treatments, including Reiki, which is originated in Kyoto in The Shinmonzen’s luxurious SPA room or alternatively from the comfort and privacy of your suite.

The Shinmonzen offers two dining venues that range from light bites and drinks on the river side to a world-renowned chef inspired meal from their restaurant.

Jean-Georges

This restaurant named after Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves his world-renowned cuisine showcasing exquisitely crafted dishes which blend French, American, and Asian influences. Local ingredients are the driving force behind the seasonal, ever-changing menu.

Riverside Lounge

The Riverside Lounge affords a guest-exclusive place to enjoy a seasonal selection of beverage and gourmet items beside the flowing Shirakawa river.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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