Not Just a Hotel: A True Kyoto Experience at the Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

Let me just say, as a Kyotoite myself, I’ve stayed at quite a few hotels here. But it always felt like I was just staying there to sleep, take a bath, and store my luggage. That’s it. My recent stay at the Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu, however, left an incredible mark on me. It wasn’t just a place to sleep, it was a complete, genuine, and immersive Kyoto experience. Here’s a breakdown of my recent stay and why this hotel deserves the attention of anyone planning a trip to Kyoto.

The Location: Right Next to Kiyomizu Temple

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu is located in the heart of the Higashiyama district. It is just a 5-minute walk from the iconic Yasaka Pagoda, and a 7-minute walk from the equally famous Kiyomizu Temple. The moment you step outside the hotel, it is only a short stroll to the traditional streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka.

The best part? Being able to walk to Kyoto’s most famous landmarks before the crowds even arrive and take all the photos you want. I took a walk early in the morning and again late in the evening, and on both occasions, I basically had the entire street to myself!

Not only that, the surrounding area is full of yummy surprises, unique souvenir shops, and Kyoto-only goodies. It is also relatively close to Kyoto Station and the city center, making it convenient if you want to explore the city further. I can’t stress enough how perfect the location is, it’s near everything you want, but far from everything you don’t.

The Room and the Traditional Kyoto View

I stayed in a Premium King Room. It was so spacious, the kind of room that tempts you to cancel plans and just stay inside. The interior was sleek and modern, yet when I opened the curtains, I was greeted by a direct view of the Yasaka Pagoda, Kyoto’s traditional tiled rooftops, greenery, and a timeless Kyoto landscape. It was healing.

The little touches in the room showed how much the hotel cares: a free minibar stocked with Kyoto-made sake, beer, and even Uji-Gyokuro (Kyoto’s famous green tea). Of course, there were also complimentary coffee pods, a variety of teas, and traditional Japanese snacks (senbei).

Moving to the bathroom. There was plenty of space in the well-lit bath. The amenities were rosemary and white tea scented, leaving you feeling so relaxed. I even tried running a bath with the Kyoto-made bath salt; it had a smoothing citrusy aroma, and it instantly lifted my mood and made my day so much better.

Overall, the room is very comfortable, providing a warm atmosphere for me to relax. All the furnishings and amenities are designed to cater to both leisure and practical needs. Thanks to all these little touches, I can fully unwind after a day of exploring Kyoto.

A Building with History and Heart

Before becoming a luxury hotel, the building was originally an elementary school built in 1933. You can still see subtle traces of the original architecture, such as the horseshoe-shaped structure and the large central staircase.

Rather than tearing down all the old stuff, they preserved a lot of the original materials, such as this old postbox, and some original wooden accents, all while transforming it with incredible taste. It struck a beautiful balance between preserving history while infusing it with modern luxury. A true testament of the beauty that can come from when the old meets the new.

Dinner at Sushi-bar@Library

Sushi-bar@Library is the hotel’s signature dining space, and it was honestly the highlight of my evening. Surrounded by shelves filled with books, the space felt both sophisticated and cozy. The team showed us a photo book of what the restaurant used to look like, apparently it was once the school’s auditorium!

We had the Signature Dish course, which included 6 appetizers, 9 pieces of temari sushi, soup, and dessert. Every dish was beautifully presented and carefully curated using seasonal ingredients. One of the appetizers I had was Hotaru ika (firefly squid), which is only available during spring. In addition, many dishes followed Kyoto traditions, like the Yuba (tofu skin) appetizer. What surprised me the most was the “tofu” made from scallop; the texture was so silky like tofu, yet it is made entirely from scallop. It was truly an amazing dish!

Temari sushi, by the way, originated in Kyoto. The ball-shaped sushi is designed for Maikos, who had to eat sushi without opening their mouths too wide in order to maintain elegance. Personally, the Hamachi (amberjack) sushi was the best; the rich fattiness melted perfectly in my mouth.

The meal ended with a lovely matcha nama-dessert paired with fruits, nama meaning a texture that is soft, smooth, and moist. It was really a perfect ending to the whole dinner experience.

By the way, I had a Japanese breakfast the next morning here too. It was equally satisfying, delicious, and visually appealing. The interior of this restaurant truly sets you in a mood that is perfect for enjoying a meal in peace.

The Limited Gion Tsujiri Matcha Collaboration

One of the highlights of my stay was definitely the Gion Tsujiri Matcha Collaboration in the guest lounge. Their guest lounge is already an amazing space, because it is basically an open and free all-access drinks, dessert, and hors d’oeuvres bar. It is available to all staying guests with no extra cost and offers a stunning view of the Yasaka Pagoda!

But this hotel takes its Kyoto roots seriously, so until the end of August, the guest lounge features a wonderful collaboration with Gion Tsujiri, one of Kyoto’s most renowned matcha brands. Roll cakes, canelés, parfaits, and various sweets made with the brand’s tea are available for guests to enjoy.

Guests can also enjoy a great selection of premium teas provided by Gion Tsujiri. Aside from the regular teas, there is also a daily special that features a unique craft tea blend that you can try. For me, I had the rosehip Hojicha, which was very refreshing. This is a perfect opportunity to discover the flavors of Kyoto’s tea culture.

I’ve basically tried all the sweets (being the sweet tooth that I am), and they are all so delicious. My personal favorite was the Matcha parfait, it had layers of rich matcha cream balanced perfectly with bright notes of yuzu. Knowing that people usually line up for these products elsewhere in Kyoto, it felt like such a treat to enjoy them here in such a relaxed setting.

Cultural Event: Maiko Performance in the Guest Lounge

Beyond the food and drinks, the guest lounge also hosts cultural performances nearly every day, such as Maiko performances and traditional Japanese instrument performances. I was lucky to catch a Maiko performance. Wow, watching a maiko perform just a few feet away from me in the lounge was incredible. Her movements were so graceful, especially with the background of the Yasaka Pagoda.

Afterwards, the Maikos stayed to chat a little and took photos with guests. It was my first time seeing a maiko up close in such an intimate setting, and it added such a rich cultural touch to the entire stay. Where else does this happen at the comfort of your hotel lounge for free?

Why I Recommend this Hotel

From the moment I checked in, every staff member was polite and genuinely attentive, not robotic polite, but in a way that made me feel truly cared for. They explained everything clearly, gave me a tour around the property, and showed me the best spots to take photos around the area. It was all so inviting, welcoming, and relaxing, making for a hotel stay like nothing I had ever had before.

This isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s an experience, a true Kyoto experience, from the rich culture, history, food, and the way they treat hospitality seriously. Despite being a hotel, staying here felt like a key part of my Kyoto journey, not just a place to sleep, but a destination in itself. Sometimes, it is worth it to splurge on something that leaves an unforgettable memory. For me, Hotel Seiryu was exactly that.

Featured Photo Credit: Catherine Chong

Now that you know just where to stay, make sure to consult our Travel Experts to craft the perfect trip to Japan’s cultural capital!