Flânons

Kyoto · Japan · To stay

The Shinmonzen

Location & practical

Kyoto, according to Tadao Ando

  • Tadao Ando's striking kōshi façade.
  • Japanese craftsmanship, contemporary luxury.
  • Riverside intimacy in Kyoto’s geisha district.
  • 9 rooms
  • Gion Shirakawa, Shinmonzen Street, Higashiyama

On Kyoto’s Shinmonzen Street, antique dealers have traded in beautiful objects since the Meiji era. Tadao Ando has added something they cannot put in a display case. More than a decade in the making, The Shinmonzen is an exquisite reinterpretation of a traditional Kyoto townhouse. Charcoal timber, delicate latticework and tiled eaves form a striking façade, interrupted only by a black entrance curtain bearing a white S. Facing the Shirakawa River, long balconies overlook Gion’s trees and historic streets.

Inside, Ando’s concrete gives way to nine individually designed suites, with interiors by French designer Rémi Tessier. Shoji screens, tatami, beautifully worked timber and sculptural furniture meet extravagantly veined marble. Artworks by Louise Bourgeois and Hiroshi Sugimoto feel entirely at home. The carved wooden headboards deserve a second look; the deep cypress baths, considerably longer. Request the top floor Hinoki suite for its river views, or Kinu for a Japanese bedroom with futon beds and two balconies.

The French influence extends to the table. The owner also created Villa La Coste in Provence, while chef Jean Georges Vongerichten brings French and Asian influences to Kyoto’s seasonal produce. Afterwards, take one of just six stools at Stephanie Goto’s remarkable terracotta bar, where cocktails receive almost ceremonial attention. This is not a traditional ryokan, nor does it pretend to be.

  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Gym
  • Spa

Rooms.

The Flânons choice

Which room would we choose?

Hinoki for a top-floor king-bed suite with river views; Kinu for the largest suite and traditional Japanese futon beds; Suisho for its exceptional private terrace.

All 9 room types

Washi

40 m²

King bed · Balcony · River view · Bathtub

King bed; 4 m² river balcony; hinoki soaking tub and double marble vanity. The smallest of the nine suites.

Tooki

46 m²

King bed · Balcony · River view · Bathtub

King bed; 8 m² river balcony accessible from living and sleeping areas; hinoki bathtub, single marble vanity. Good compact alternative to Hinoki.

Jiki

58 m²

Twin beds · Balcony · River view

Western twin beds; 5 m² river balcony; rain shower and double vanity, but no hinoki bathtub listed.

Urushi

62 m²

King bed · Balcony · River view · Bathtub · Separate living room

King bed and a separate sitting room; 3 m² river balcony; hinoki bathtub and marble double vanity. Comparatively small outdoor space.

Ishi

56 m²

Futon beds · Balcony · River view · Bathtub

Tatami bedroom with twin Japanese futons; 8 m² river balcony, hinoki bathtub and double vanity. A more compact Japanese-style alternative to Kinu.

Take

58 m²

Futon beds · Balcony · River view

Tatami bedroom with twin Japanese futons; 8 m² river balcony; rain shower and double vanity, but no bathtub listed.

Kinu

80 m²

Futon beds · Balcony · River view · Bathtub · Separate living room

Largest suite; twin Japanese futons on tatami, generous living space, hinoki bathtub and two balconies (9 m² and 4 m²), including river views. Best for an immersive Japanese-style stay.

Hinoki

56 m²

King bed · Balcony · River view · Bathtub · Separate living room

Top-floor suite with a king bed, separate living area, 8 m² balcony looking across Shirakawa and Gion, and hinoki bathtub. Flânons first choice for two travellers.

Suisho

68 m²

Twin beds · Terrace · Balcony · River view · Bathtub

Twin beds, hinoki bathtub, exceptional 25 m² private terrace with dining table and loungers, plus a separate 4 m² river-facing balcony; ideal when outdoor space is a priority.

Hinoki: 56 m² and an 8 m² river-facing balcony, on the top floor. Kinu: 80 m² with tatami, twin futons, a hinoki bathtub and two balconies (9 m² and 4 m²). Suisho: 68 m², twin beds and separate outdoor areas of 25 m² and 4 m². Tooki is a smaller king-bed alternative (46 m²) with an 8 m² balcony. Jiki and Take have walk-in/rain showers but do not list hinoki soaking tubs. Room area figures exclude balconies and terraces.

Good to know.

Location
235 Nishinochō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0088, Japan
Open map & directions
Check-in & check-out
Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 12:00
Parking
The hotel offers valet arrangements, but listings disagree about whether parking is on site and what it costs. Arrange parking in advance and confirm exact location and charges.
EV charging
MICHELIN Guide lists an EV charging station; ask the hotel to confirm location, plug type, reservation requirements and charges.
Getting around
Sanjo Keihan (subway) and Sanjo (Keihan Railway) stations are approximately 5 minutes on foot. Gion Shijo station is also within walking distance. Kyoto Station is around 15 minutes away by car depending on traffic.
Arriving
Entrance on Shinmonzen Street, 235 Nishino-cho, Higashiyama-ku. Look for the dark wooden lattice façade and the black entrance curtain. The hotel can arrange a private car or valet service; some rates include a one-way pickup from Kyoto Station. Allow approximately 90 minutes by car from Kansai International Airport or 60 minutes from Osaka Itami, subject to traffic.
Pets
Dogs accepted with conditions and a JPY 11,000 cleaning fee per stay. Published policies disagree: MICHELIN specifies one dog under 15 kg; Japanese booking listings allow up to two dogs under 12 kg each and require vaccination proof. Confirm number, size limit and arrangements with the hotel before booking.
Accessibility
A lift is reported in hotel listings, but step-free arrival, adapted bathrooms and wheelchair-suitable suite layouts were not independently confirmed. Contact the hotel for accessibility requirements before booking.
Travelling with children
Children are welcome; cots are subject to availability. Japanese booking information notes that guests aged 13 or older are charged adult rates. Ask the hotel about cots, extra beds and suitability of the chosen suite.
Dietary options
Vegetarian

Worth knowing

  • This is a nine-suite design hotel, not a conventional ryokan or a resort with a swimming pool; room layouts and bedding differ significantly.
  • If a hinoki soaking tub matters, avoid Jiki and Take; both list showers but no bathtub. Washi is the smallest suite at 40 m².
  • Book the six-seat Shinmonzen Bar in advance; the hotel currently advertises Tuesday to Saturday seatings, while riverside terrace use depends on season and weather.
  • Verify current pet and parking arrangements directly; reputable booking sources give inconsistent limits and parking details.
  • Kyoto city accommodation tax increased on 1 March 2026. The top band is JPY 10,000 per person per night when the taxable room rate is JPY 100,000 or more per person; confirm what is excluded from the quoted rate.
  • The hotel has two MICHELIN Keys in the 2026 hotel selection. Keys recognise hotels and must not be confused with Michelin restaurant stars.

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