Shogun & Sake: Kyoto to Kyushu

Accommodation Options:

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  The Thousand Kyoto

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  The Thousand Kyoto

  

  Highlights

  • Steps from Kyoto Station and walking distance to Higashi-Honganji Temple
  • Dramatic light-filled lobby and sculptural staircase inspired by Zen principles
  • 222 tranquil guestrooms with natural materials and understated elegance
  • Refined dining at Kizahashi (Japanese) and Scalae (Italian), plus a tea-and-bar lounge
  • Spa, fitness, and relaxation spaces

  About The Thousand Kyoto

  Located steps from Kyoto Station, The Thousand Kyoto is a minimalist sanctuary designed around the concept of Ma, the mindful space between moments. Its dramatic, light-filled lobby and “river of light” staircase provide an immediate sense of calm, bridging the energy of the city with the refined tranquility of a modern Zen retreat.

  The 222 guestrooms prioritize light and sustainability, featuring natural wood, low-profile furniture, and handcrafted local porcelain. These spacious sanctuaries offer a peaceful escape from the bustling city center, with many suites overlooking lush courtyard gardens or featuring private terraces.

  Culinary artistry is a cornerstone of the stay, anchored by the Michelin-recommended Kizahashi, which serves seasonal kaiseki alongside a serene garden. Guests can also enjoy innovative Italian dining at Scalae or a refined Kyoto tea experience at the hotel’s signature bar.

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  Six Senses Kyoto

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  Six Senses Kyoto

  

  Highlights

  • Prime cultural location near Kyoto’s historic temples and Gion district.
  • Family-friendly luxury with wellness-focused experiences suitable for all ages.
  • Refined dining experiences focused on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and mindful cuisine.
  • Zen-inspired gardens and courtyards creating a calm, meditative atmosphere within the city.
  • World-class Six Senses Spa offering personalized wellness programs, meditation, and rejuvenating treatments.

  About Six Senses Kyoto

  Six Senses Kyoto is a five-star luxury wellness hotel that brings the brand’s holistic philosophy to Japan’s historic cultural capital. Located near Kyoto’s revered temples and traditional districts, the hotel is designed as a peaceful urban sanctuary that harmoniously blends contemporary luxury with Japanese aesthetics. Its architecture and interiors draw inspiration from Kyoto’s heritage, using natural materials, soft tones, and refined craftsmanship to create an atmosphere of calm and balance. Spacious guest rooms and suites emphasize comfort, natural light, and sleep quality, aligning with Six Senses’ core focus on wellbeing.

  At the heart of the hotel is the Six Senses Spa, offering personalized wellness programs, traditional Japanese healing therapies, meditation, and modern longevity treatments. Dining experiences focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with an emphasis on mindful and sustainable cuisine. True to the brand’s values, Six Senses Kyoto is deeply committed to sustainability, community engagement, and environmental responsibility, while also providing highly personalized service and curated cultural experiences. The result is a refined retreat that combines Kyoto’s spiritual essence with world-class wellness, making it ideal for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and restorative luxury.

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  Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

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  Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

  

  Highlights

  • Boutique hotel located directly opposite the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Nijo Castle
  • Part of the Banyan Group, blending refined contemporary design with Japanese sensibilities
  • Limited collection of spacious rooms and suites, including Castle View accommodations
  • Signature restaurant Singular offering a refined fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine
  • Dedicated spa and wellness facilities with personalised treatments and tranquil relaxation spaces

  About Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

  The Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto is a refined boutique hotel located directly opposite the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Nijo Castle, offering a calm and contemporary retreat in the heart of the city. Part of the Banyan Group, the property blends modern architectural design with subtle Japanese influences, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance that reflects its historic surroundings.

  The hotel features a limited collection of thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, including Deluxe Rooms, Premier Rooms, and select Castle View accommodations. Interiors are minimalist and serene, with clean lines, natural materials, and large windows that invite soft natural light. Rooms are generously sized for a boutique city hotel, with carefully considered layouts that prioritise comfort and tranquillity. Select categories offer views towards Nijo Castle, enhancing the sense of place and connection to Kyoto’s cultural heritage.

  Dining is centred around Singular, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which offers a refined interpretation of Japanese and Western cuisine using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The hotel places a strong emphasis on wellness, featuring a tranquil spa with personalised treatments, relaxation spaces, and fitness facilities designed to support restorative and mindful stays.

Accommodation Options:

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  Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

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  Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

  

  Highlights

  • Convenient location just a 1‑minute walk from JR Hiroshima Station and Shinkansen access.
  • Spacious, contemporary rooms with Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience beds and city or Inland Sea views.
  • Multiple dining options including buffet at Bridges and refined Japanese kaiseki, sushi & teppanyaki at Miyabi‑Tei.
  • Full wellness facilities with 24‑hour fitness centre, spa treatments, indoor pool and relaxation spaces.
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, castle, Shukkeien Garden and Miyajima day trips reachable by train or tram.

  About Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

  Located directly adjacent to Hiroshima Station, the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel offers unbeatable convenience and a comfortable base for exploring the city. It is just a short tram ride from the Peace Memorial Park and the ferry to Miyajima Island.

  The 238 spacious guest rooms are designed with understated elegance and neutral tones. Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive city views, the signature Sheraton Sleep Experience beds, and marble bathrooms equipped with deep-soaking tubs and rainfall showers.

  Dining options include Miyabi-Tei, which offers specialized sushi, teppanyaki, and kaiseki counters, as well as international buffets at Bridges. For wellness, the hotel features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and the tranquil Shine Spa for traditional Japanese-inspired treatments.

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  Itsukushima Iroha

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  Itsukushima Iroha

  

  Highlights

  • Sophisticated contemporary ryokan on Miyajima, a short walk from the iconic floating torii gate
  • Stunning views over the Seto Inland Sea
  • Spacious guestrooms with tatami accents, floor-to-ceiling windows, and private open-air baths in many suites
  • Multi-course kaiseki dining featuring seasonal Hiroshima seafood, premium beef, and local sakes
  • Nearby to cultural and outdoor activities

  About Itsukushima Iroha

  Located on the sacred island of Miyajima, Itsukushima Iroha is a sophisticated contemporary ryokan that redefines traditional Japanese hospitality. Positioned just a short walk from the iconic “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, the property offers a vantage point over the Seto Inland Sea, blending minimalist modern architecture with the island’s spiritual atmosphere.

  The spacious guestrooms are designed as tranquil sanctuaries, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, warm timber accents, and a mix of western-style comfort and tatami elegance. Many suites boast private open-air baths or expansive views of the forest and sea, allowing guests to witness the island’s shifting tides and golden sunsets in complete privacy.

  The dining experience is a highlight of the stay, focusing on the seasonal abundance of the Hiroshima region. Multi-course kaiseki menus showcase world-class Seto Inland Sea seafood and premium Hiroshima beef, paired with an exceptional selection of local sakes.

Accommodation Options:

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  The Ritz Carlton Fukuoka

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  The Ritz Carlton Fukuoka

  

  Highlights

  • Sky-high luxury in Fukuoka, close to the city's street food, Zen temples, and Hakata Bay
  • 167 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling views and a refined bamboo-and-stone design
  • A polished blend of cosmopolitan style and warm southern Japanese hospitality
  • Destination dining showcasing Kyushu’s seasonal seafood and regional specialities, including mentaiko
  • 24th-floor spa and indoor pool

  About The Ritz Carlton, Fukuoka

  Rising high above the Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City tower, The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka is the definitive luxury choice in Kyushu’s dynamic capital. Blending cosmopolitan flair with refined southern Japanese hospitality, it offers a polished gateway to the city’s famed yatai food stalls, historic Zen temples, and the scenic Hakata Bay.

  The 167 guest rooms and suites feature a minimalist “bamboo-and-stone” aesthetic, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of the skyline or the sea. The design pays homage to local Hakata-ori weaving, balancing modern luxury with deep-rooted tradition.

  Culinary excellence is at the forefront, with venues celebrating Kyushu’s seasonal bounty, from succulent seafood to local mentaiko. Between explorations, guests can retreat to the 24th-floor spa and indoor pool for a tranquil escape overlooking the city.

Accommodation Options:

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  Ohana Ryokan

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  Ohana Ryokan

  

  Highights

  • Family-owned for over 400 years, with the 18th generation of the Tachibana clan still managing the estate.
  • Japan’s only National Place of Scenic Beauty where guests can stay overnight.
  • 20 renewed rooms featuring flexibility for Western-style beds or traditional futons.
  • Exclusive "Breakfast on a Boat" through Yanagawa’s 930km of historic canals.
  • Onsite Tachibana Museum housing 30,000 family heirlooms, including National Treasures.

  About Ohana Ryokan

  Located in the “City of Water,” Yanagawa, Ohana is a magnificent 23,000-square-meter estate and former villa of the Tachibana feudal lords. It is Japan’s only National Place of Scenic Beauty that permits overnight stays. The property seamlessly blends history through its Meiji-era Western guest house and the Shoto-en, a sprawling pond garden featuring hundreds of black pines.

  The ryokan offers 20 guestrooms that underwent a full renewal in 2026. These refined spaces preserve the family’s heritage textiles and ceramics while offering the flexibility of Western-style beds or traditional futons. Many suites provide front-row views of the historic gardens and the 100-mat Grand Hall.

  Dining is an immersion into the flavors of the Ariake Sea, featuring the region’s signature steamed eel (Seiromushi). Unique to the estate is the “Breakfast on a Boat” experience, where guests drift through the city’s ancient canals while dining. Afterward, guests can explore the onsite museum, which houses 30,000 family heirlooms, including National Treasures.

Accommodation Options:

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  Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG

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  Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG

  

  Highlights

  • Contemporary onsen resort along the Haya River, close to the Hakone Open-Air Museum and Owakudani
  • 98 stylish rooms and suites, all with private hot spring baths and spacious family-friendly layouts
  • Bold, design-driven interiors featuring ukiyo-e-inspired headboards and eclectic modern art
  • Communal onsen with digital art display for a shared wellness experience
  • Riverside Kitchen & Bar, 24-hour fitness center, and Thai-inspired spa

  About Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG

  Set along the banks of the Haya River, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora is a contemporary onsen resort that trades traditional minimalism for bold, design-driven energy. Drawing inspiration from Gora’s history as a railway town, the property features colorful ukiyo-e-inspired headboards and eclectic modern art. Its central location provides an ideal base for exploring the Hakone Open-Air Museum and the volcanic valley of Owakudani, supported by a short shuttle ride to Gora Station.

  The resort features 98 stylish guest rooms and suites, each uniquely equipped with its own private hot spring bath. Unlike a traditional ryokan, the layout is Western, featuring elevated beds and modern furniture. The spacious suites are a practical choice for families, offering flexible configurations.

  Wellness is redefined by a swimsuit-required communal onsen, complete with a giant digital art screen, allowing different generations to enjoy the hot springs together. Dining follows a modern path at the Riverside Kitchen & Bar, where wood-fired specialties replace formal kaiseki menus. A 24-hour fitness center and a Thai-inspired spa round out the facilities.

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  Onyado Fukuchiyo

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  Onyado Fukuchiyo

  

  Highlights

  • Japan’s premier “Sake Brewery Auberge” set in a meticulously restored 230-year-old residence
  • Exclusive access to the award-winning Nabeshima brewery, guided by master brewers
  • Guestrooms blending Edo-period architecture with modern luxury, featuring tatami, timber beams, and private open-air baths
  • Souan Nabeshima restaurant offering kaiseki dinners and Cafe Brew for contemporary lunches, all paired with premium sake
  • An immersive, sensory escape celebrating Saga’s brewing traditions and Japanese heritage

  About Onyado Fukuchiyo

  Set within a meticulously restored 230-year-old residence, Onyado Fukuchiyo is Japan’s premier “Sake Brewery Auberge.” Located in the Hizen Hamashuku preservation district, this exclusive retreat is operated by the world-renowned Fukuchiyo Shuzo, creators of the award-winning “Nabeshima” sake. It offers a rare immersion into the soul of Saga’s brewing traditions.

  The guestrooms, spread between the historic Main Building and the private Annex, bridge Edo-period architecture with modern luxury. Interiors feature exposed timber beams, traditional tatami, and artisanal finishes, while the Main Building now boasts a private open-air bath. Guests enjoy exclusive access to the brewery, a privilege typically closed to the public, guided by the master brewers themselves.

  The culinary experience centers on Souan Nabeshima, where locally sourced Saga ingredients are paired with Nabeshima’s finest pours. From the refined kaiseki dinners to the contemporary Italian-inspired lunches at Cafe Brew, every dish is designed to elevate the brewery’s craft. It is a singular, sensory escape for connoisseurs of sake and Japanese heritage.