Which to choose
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO or Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto?
Two of Kyoto's large modern hotels, in different parts of the city. HOTEL THE MITSUI faces Nijo Castle in the centre and draws hot spring from its own source about 1,000 m below; Four Seasons sits at the foot of the Higashiyama hills around Shakusui-en, a late-Heian pond garden, and has a spa and pool but no hot spring.
Where
Nijo, Kyoto
Myohoin Maekawa-cho, Kyoto
Kind
Hotel
Hotel
Rooms
139
180
In the room
Onsen Suites have an open-air hot-spring bath
Marble bathrooms with a large tub
Shared baths
Mixed hot-spring bath from its own spring, in swimsuits
A Japanese bath and sauna at the spa; no hot spring
Dinner and breakfast
Dinner not included; French at TOKI, Italian at FORNI
Dinner not included; grill, sushi or tea house
Children
Under 13s may use the spring bath 09:00 to 17:00
Children welcome
Tattoos
You may be asked to cover tattoos in the spring bath
—
MICHELIN Keys
3
1
Booking from abroad
Straightforward
Straightforward
Choose
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa- Entered by a gate of 1703, opposite Nijo Castle
- Its own hot spring, with a thermal bath and a private onsen with its own garden
- Tetsuya Asano's French cooking at TOKI, listed in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide
Choose
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto- Shakusui-en, a late-Heian pond garden, and its tea house
- A spa named among Vogue's 100 best in the world, with private baths, sake baths included
- Sushi Ginza Onodera's ten-seat cypress counter, or dinner by the pond at Fuju
The two
Ready to stay here?
Tell us where and when. Our team in Japan books the room we would choose, at the inn’s own rate, settles your requests with the inn, and stays in touch before and during your stay. Price and cancellation terms are confirmed with you first.
Already have an itinerary in mind?
Have it reviewed for USD 85Other comparisons
Q&A
Four Seasons has no kaiseki restaurant. At HOTEL THE MITSUI, Kyoto cuisine by Kinobu can be taken privately in SHIKI-NO-MA.
At HOTEL THE MITSUI, children aged 4 to 12 may use the Thermal Spring with a parent from 09:00 to 17:00. At Four Seasons the baths, spa and gym are for guests aged 16 and over.