The hotel "Genji Kyoto" just opened in April 2022. Gojo, which has two rivers, the Takase River and the Kamogawa River, flourished as a red-light district in ancient times. It is an area that is attracting attention, with distinctive buildings that you can tell at a glance that they used to be okiya or Japanese restaurants, but have been transformed into cafes, restaurants, galleries, etc., and have been transformed into an attractive town.
The reason this hotel was named "Genji Kyoto" is related to the Gojo area. Minamoto no Toru, also famous as the main character of the Noh play ``Toru,'' is one of the characters considered to be the model for Hikaru Genji in ``The Tale of Genji.'' It is said that he was inspired by the fact that Kawara-no-in, the ruins of Minamoto no Toru's mansion, was located in Gojo.
Unique architecture that transcends Japanese techniques and reinterprets Japanese beauty
The old red-light district where ``The Tale of Genji'' and old townhouses remain. These two worldviews are fully incorporated into the architecture.
For example, although it may not be obvious from the exterior, the interior of the hotel is divided into two buildings. The two elongated buildings are modeled after typical townhouse architecture. The iron bridge connecting the two buildings is an homage to the construction of shinden buildings seen in the Heian period. The wall surface, which looks like aged and beautifully withered wood, is actually concrete. It seems that the wood texture is preserved using a technique called ``Suigita Katawaku'' (cedar board formwork). It can be said that they have gone beyond traditional Japanese materials and furnishings to create a new interpretation of Japanese style and established a unique style.
Light spilling through the Japanese paper panel glass windows created by Eriko Horiki dimly illuminates the lobby.
The ``Floating Boat Garden'' was created by Mark Peter Keene. It is a modern rock garden that represents the flow of the Uji River. ``Genji Kyoto'' does not express Japan in the traditional way, both in its architecture and gardens, but instead uses modern interpretations to give it a new beauty. The chief designer is Jeffrey Mousas, an architect with extensive experience in restoring and redesigning traditional buildings such as Japanese temples and townhouses.
Realize that you are in Kyoto. A guest room that blends with the town
There are a total of 19 guest rooms named after the Tale of Genji. The guest rooms consist of a living area with Ryukyu tatami flooring, a bedroom, and a bathroom, but each room has a slightly different decoration. You can see innovative features such as lanterns, wash basins, and small gardens made from old tiles.
It's a room where you can relax and feel very open. From a room on the Kamogawa side, you can admire the gentle ridgeline of Higashiyama and the natural beauty of Kyoto's city streets, such as night herons and ducks that gather in the Kamogawa River, and from a room on the Machiya side, you can admire the town of Gojo, which is lined with traditional tiled-roofed houses. , I feel like I'm seeing Kyoto in an old movie.
Even though you're in your room, you have the distinct feeling that you're in Kyoto. For those who have visited Kyoto many times, what more could they want?
Garden Deluxe where you can admire the inner garden.
A river balcony suite overlooking Higashiyama and the Kamogawa River.
The view towards Kyoto Station from City Studio, where the townhouses and tiled roofs go on forever.
The food selection is also noteworthy, which is surprising considering it is a boutique hotel with 19 rooms. We offer everything from authentic Japanese breakfast to original burgers and sweets. We also want to accommodate requests for places to eat as much as possible. If the weather is nice, you can make your wish come true by having breakfast on the rooftop overlooking the Kamogawa River to Higashiyama, or if it's sunset, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the breeze of the Kamogawa River is a great way to spend your time. Late at night, it's a good idea to sit at the counter in the lobby and drink a cocktail.
It is popular to enjoy breakfast and cocktail time on the rooftop with a wonderful view. As a general rule, only hotel guests can use the facility, but parties and other events are held periodically that are open to visitors.
In addition to Japanese breakfast, we also have a wide variety of breakfast options, including continental breakfast. You can have it delivered to your room.
MURASAKI, the hotel's original cocktail.
Gojo Kawaramachi is an interesting place where old and new meet
I had never thought about staying in the Gojo area before, but I learned that it is actually a very convenient place. For example, when you leave your hotel at night, you walk down Kiyamachi Street, which in Kyoto terms is called ``joru.'' Lanterns illuminate the restaurants, bars, and streets. If you walk for about 15 minutes while enjoying the essence of Kyoto, you can reach Shijo Kawaramachi, the center of Kyoto.
The town of Gojo is currently in the midst of major changes. Buildings that were once traditional okiya and teahouses have been transformed into restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries, etc., and are beginning to develop an indescribable flavor.
"Genji Kyoto" has an original map created with the help of the owner, who understands the charm of this dynamically changing town better than anyone else. It is a compilation of Gojo's highlights, accompanied by hand-drawn illustrations. We explore the town's charms in detail, including a Lebanese restaurant along the Takase River that is only open during the day, a bar with a collection of old records, a public bath, and a kabourenjo where geishas would have performed. Included. Our friendly and international staff will be happy to assist you with advice on walking around town. By walking around town with this map in hand, you'll be able to create your own version of Kyoto.
"Genji Kyoto" is one of the charms of Gojo, a nostalgic and new town. From here, I would like to discover a part of Kyoto that I have never seen before.
362-3 Hatotonomachi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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