The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, 5-Star Luxury Hotel in Japan | 4K Hotel Tour & Review

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, 5-Star Luxury Hotel in Japan | 4K Hotel Tour & Review

Today, we’re staying at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, a 5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto, Japan. A Japanese-style suite. 5-star hotel facilities. An Italian dinner with wine pairing. A Japanese breakfast. An Eel bowl lunch. Please enjoy. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is located along the Kamogawa River in Kyoto. This is Nijo Bridge, which leads to the hotel. The Kamogawa River is known as a famous river in Kyoto. Many of the hotel’s rooms offer views of the Kamogawa River. The hotel opened on February 7, 2014. The hotel is a low-rise, five-story building. Kyoto has a landscape ordinance. There is a height limit of 12 metres for buildings along the Kamogawa River. Despite the strict height restrictions, the hotel building was kept to five stories. The hotel blends in with its surroundings and does not disrupt the landscape. We move to the front of the hotel. This is in front of the hotel driveway. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto logo is discreetly visible. At first glance, the hotel building looks like an ordinary apartment building. At first glance, it’s hard to tell that this is a hotel. Heading to the hotel entrance. A rickshaw. Used for paid activities. The walkway leading to the entrance is beautiful. This bicycle can be rented for a fee. Turn left here and we’ll find the hotel entrance. Before going inside, take a look around. There are trees, and the autumn foliage is said to be beautiful. There’s a waterfall, which continues to the second basement floor. Next to the entrance is THE RITZ-CARLTON logo. Let’s go inside. Once inside, we’ll be greeted by an impressive wall design. The walls are lined with white pottery made by Japanese artisans. Beyond the door is the lobby, which is on the first floor. The hotel features 409 artworks themed around the Tale of Genji (the oldest novel in Japan). This pine bonsai (dwarf potted tree) is one of those works of art. The artwork of a biwa (Japanese lute) covered in crystal beads is impressive. Floor guides are available in English and Japanese. The lobby floor design is wonderful. The lobby floor is based on the luxurious mansion of the protagonist in The Tale of Genji (the oldest novel in Japan). There is a Pierre Hermé Paris boutique on the lobby floor. Pierre Hermé is a French pastry chef known as the “Picasso of Pastry” and the “King of Modern Patisserie.” These croissants are also available for breakfast. Tea is available for purchase. Colorful macarons are also available in the lobby lounge. Reception and lobby. Check-in usually takes place in this lobby. The ceiling lighting is stylish and covered with washi paper. The walls are decorated with glass art featuring bamboo motifs. It is well designed down to the smallest detail. It has a luxurious feel. A bamboo-covered floor lamp. Lattice-patterned partition walls are also featured. Piano performances are held during check-in hours. The open-ceiling lobby area is impressive. Below is the basement floor. The lobby lounge and Italian restaurant, La Locanda, are also located on this floor. This is the entrance to the Italian restaurant, La Locanda. The glass art at the restaurant entrance is impressive. Inside the restaurant. A garden in the center of the restaurant. An open-air atrium. The restaurant also features a bar. The bar’s wine cellar. The bar counter. The morning buffet is served here. Table seating at the bar. Check-in took place at this table. Probably because there were other guests in the lobby. The welcome drink on this day is cold Japanese tea. The welcome sweets are chocolate-coated Yatsuhashi (sweet rice cracker). It’s hard. Hotel facilities and opening hours. Other hotel information. Marriott Gold Elite and Platinum Elite benefits. Free Wi-Fi is available. I was given a card key case. The elevator hall on the lobby floor. The kumiko ceiling, a traditional Japanese craft, is impressive. The elevator interior is also stylishly designed. The attention to detail may be among the best in Kyoto hotels. This is the elevator hall on the fifth floor. The red ornament is a kimono-inspired piece of art. It’s apparently part of a kimono and varies by floor. Let’s walk down the corridor on the 5th floor. The guest room doors feature the same pattern as the hotel entrance wall. The corridors on the guest floors are also elegantly designed. Today’s room is at the very back. The card key case has the words Marriott Bonvoy and Ritz-Carlton. The card key has the Ritz-Carlton logo and lettering, along with the word Kyoto. The hotel has 134 guest rooms, 17 of which are suites. This room is called the Corner Suite Tatami. The price for one night is ¥361,525 JPY ($2,400 USD). This suite features a Japanese-style room with tatami flooring. Walk-in wardrobe. Let’s take a closer look, starting from the entrance. There’s a wooden shoehorn. There’s a shoe rack. There are 46 guest rooms on the fifth floor. This is the elevator hall. Today’s room is 501, a corner suite at the very back. The master and other switches are written in both English and Japanese. The walls and ceiling are ribbed. To the restroom. The toilet doesn’t automatically open and close. It’s a Toto toilet, a Japanese brand. Of course, it has a washlet function. A chic washbasin. A soap from the Parisian brand Diptyque. The living room has hardwood floors. Let’s take a look at the living room. This also has a ribbed panel ceiling. It’s spacious. A Japanese-style table and chairs. Let’s sit in the chair. It might be uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. A TV and remote control from the Japanese brand Panasonic. A promotional video from Marriott, the hotel’s operator, is playing. Information about in-room massages. A 60-minute dry massage costs ¥ 60-minute dry massage costs ¥25,000 JPY ($165 USD). Information about the spa. Two origami cranes are placed there. A note asking us to share our memories. A welcome gift. Matcha rice crackers from Uji, Kyoto. It was made at a shop called Ogurasanso in Kyoto. Let’s take a look at the minibar. A coffee machine from the Italian brand illy. Three illy coffee capsules. A description of the pochette. It’s made from Nishijin-ori, a traditional Kyoto craft. Mineral water. It’s bottled in 100% recycled PET resin. A tea set. Ceramic teacups and a teapot. Are they Kyoto pottery? We can enjoy Kyoto tea. An ice bucket. An electric kettle from the British brand Russell Hobbs. A wireless speaker from the Danish brand Bang & Olufsen. Let’s take a look at the refrigerator. Three fruit juices. Pepsi and vodka. High-quality Krug champagne. Japanese Sake (Rice wine). Sparkling water and still water made in Fushimi, Kyoto. These are also commonly found in other hotels in Kyoto. A description of the welcome fruit. Grapes from Kyoto. Shine Muscat grapes from Yamanashi. A welcome message. Welcome back, the message said (because I’ve stayed this hotel before). Tableware and cups. The characters are difficult to read (even for people who understand Japanese). Earl Grey and lemongrass tea from the German brand Ronnefeldt. Also available: roasted green tea tea from Kyoto brand Ippodo Tea. Glassware on the bottom shelf. Stylish glasses. The glasses from the German brand Spiegelau. Alcoholic drinks and snacks on the bottom shelf. Minibar price list. Pepsi is ¥800 JPY ($5.3 USD). Kyoto dry gin, Kinobi. Salted rice crackers from OKUDO-YA, Kyoto. Mixed nuts packaged with the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto. Information about in-room dining. Two Japanese-style drawers. USB ports and power outlets on top. Telephone, memo pad, ballpoint pen, and remote control on the bottom. A Blu-ray player from the Japanese brand Toshiba. A Ritz-Carlton ballpoint pen. The window blinds can be lowered with the flip of a switch. This room’s window offers a view south of the hotel. To the southeast, we can see the Kamogawa River. Other views include the Higashiyama mountains. Rooms with east-facing windows offer a better view of the Kamogawa River. To the south, we can enjoy views of Kyoto city. The living room continues next door. The floral cushion covers give it a Japanese feel. There are two sofas, a table, and a rug. The sofa is like a bed. I can lie down and relax. Let’s move on to the Japanese-style room next door. It’s a typical Japanese-style room with tatami flooring. There is a TV here too. Japanese-style lighting and ceiling. The ceiling has a checkered pattern. The floor is made of Japanese tatami mats. The tatami mats are sturdy. Flower arrangements and a hanging scroll are on the walls. A book on Pierre Hermé pastries. It contains descriptions of pastries. Next to it is a small living room. Let’s sit in a chair. The Japanese-style room next door creates a different atmosphere. We can see the view west of the hotel. To the west of the hotel is Zendo-ji Temple. The temple’s cemetery. Most of the guest rooms face east, with only a few offering views to the west. A standing lamp covered in washi paper. Head to the walk-in wardrobe. The sliding doors feature floral patterns. It’s a spacious walk-in wardrobe. Although the hotel opened in 2014, the hangers are kept clean. Laundry set. Separate yukata (Japanese-style bathrobes) for men and women. Yukatas are sold at the spa boutique. They are muted in color. Indoor slippers. The slippers were comfortable to wear. Complimentary shoe shine service is offered. A safe. The closet contains bedding, including a duvet. A Bose Bluetooth speaker. A telephone and notepad. The Japan Brand Collection 2025 Kyoto edition magazine. A letter set. Let’s take a look at the barhroom. A bathrobe with the Ritz-Carlton logo. This is an original hotel bathrobe. The bathroom has a double sink. A makeup mirror with LED lights. Soap from the Parisian brand Diptyque. Diptyque hand and body lotion. An organic facial soap. This soap is from the Kyoto store “Shabonya.” This luxurious soap features gold leaf. A hair dryer from the REPRONIZER series by the Japanese brand Lumielina. This is a luxurious hair dryer. There’s a full-length mirror. Next, let’s look at showers and a bathtub. It features a cypress bathtub. Only some rooms have cypress bathtubs. Diptyque shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. Two bath sponges, one of which is a loofah. There’s also Diptyque soap in the bathroom. The walls are unique. They feature a cherry blossom pattern. The wooden floor is comfortable to walk on. A wooden tub and chair. A handheld shower and a rain shower. There’s another toilet. This room is 100 square meters (1,076 square feet). The smallest room is 46 square meters, while the largest is 212 square meters. Return to the lobby floor. This is the lobby lounge. These tea boxes from the German brand Ronnefeldt have the Ritz-Carlton label. The lobby lounge is also elegantly designed. There’s a library at the back. There are also tables on the terrace. The terrace seating is pleasant, with the sound of the waterfall and the greenery. From the terrace, we can see all the way to the second basement floor. Let’s take a look at the menu for the lobby lounge. Coffee selection. Ritz-Carlton Kyoto specialty coffee, ¥2,000 JPY ($13 USD). Ronnefeldt tea selection. Pierre Hermé Paris tea selection. Hot chocolat, macarons. Champagne, cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks. Light meals. Wagyu beef burger, ¥5,400 JPY ($35 USD). Sweets. Afternoon tea, 7,500 JPY ($49 USD). I ordered a set of three kinds of macarons and coffee for ¥ ordered a set of three kinds of macarons and coffee for ¥3,600 JPY ($23.5 USD) Three types of Pierre Hermé macarons. Ritz-Carlton Kyoto specialty coffee. It has a tea-like aroma and a clean, elegant taste. Milk and sugar. Let’s move on to the first basement floor. The wooden chandelier (made by an umbrella maker in Kyoto) is impressive. The grand staircase leading from the basement to the first floor is incredibly beautiful. It’s perfect for photos and videos. It’s a long staircase. The sides of the staircase are illuminated. The wall designs and colors are intricate. There is a piece of art hidden in the back. There’s a moon-shaped artwork. Upon closer inspection, we’ll see many floral patterns. You can hear detailed explanations of the artwork by taking a free art tour of the hotel. The basement floor also houses the Japanese restaurant Mizuki. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Gallery is also located here. This is a boutique within the gallery. The grand staircase mentioned earlier is also used for wedding photography. Ritz-Carlton lion plush toys. These lion plush toys are not available for purchase and are wedding gifts only. Ritz-Carlton glasses. Lacquerware, etc. Cutlery, etc. A space for wedding discussions. It seems like a great place for a wedding. We can go down the stairs from the first basement floor to the second basement floor. There are banquet halls and a wedding reception hall on the second basement floor. Looking at the photos, they look like nice banquet halls and a wedding reception hall. There are four banquet halls and one wedding reception hall. The interior of the second basement floor is also sophisticated. The reception and waiting area. The grand staircase here is also beautiful. Take the elevator to the spa/gym on the second basement floor. The second basement floor is very quiet. Head to the spa reception. The corridor leading to the reception is long. There is a boutique in front of the reception. Yukata. Around ¥30,000 JPY ($195 USD). Nishijin-ori pochette. ¥4,000 JPY ($26 USD). Ritz Lion plush toys. ¥5,900 JPY ($45 USD). Kyoto Shabonya soap. ¥880 JPY ($5.8 USD). Skin care products from the British brand ESPA. Skin care products from the Swiss brand La Prairie. Amenities are provided at the spa sink. Spa bathrobes and bath towels. A small hot tub. Separate shower booth. ESPA shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. A swimsuit dehydrator is provided. The walkway leading to the indoor pool. The indoor pool is 20 meters (65.6 feet) long and 3 meters (9.8 feet) wide. It is small, and only two people can swim in it at a time. There are about eight sunbeds by the pool. The pool is heated, around 30 degrees. The pool area is dimly lit, creating a relaxing atmosphere. It can get crowded at certain times, so you may have to wait to swim. There is a dry sauna and a steam sauna. The dry sauna is spacious, with a temperature of around 85 degrees. To the steam sauna. The steam sauna is also spacious. There is a shower in front of the steam sauna. Rooibos tea and detox water are available to drink freely. There are seven treatment rooms. The treatment rooms have a calming atmosphere. To the 24-hour fitness gym. Treadmills. Protein bars, banana, and mineral water. Exercise bike, etc. Training machines. Training benches, dumbbells, and balance balls. It’s night time. I’m going to have dinner at the Italian restaurant La Locanda. La Locanda is closed on Mondays and is open Tuesday through Sunday. There is jazz music playing on this day. The restaurant is next to the bar we visited during the day. A wealthy person’s residence built in 1908 has been relocated to the restaurant. Dinner menu. 2018 Rathfinny Estate Brut Rosé. Amuse-bouche. A tart with purple cabbage. Bread and olive oil. Dinner included wine pairings. Japanese white wine, Hokuto Chardonnay 2023. Fresh fish tartare with tomato and cucumber. The fish was tender and delicious. Homemade spaghetti with sea urchin and sweet pepper. The spaghetti was served cold and easily edible. Italian white wine, 2021 Cantina Terlano-Kellerei Terlan ‘Vorberg’ Riserva Pinot Bianco Alto Adige. Sautéed local fish and summer beans minestrone. I believe the fish was sea bass. French red wine, 2023 Haut-Blanville Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Charcoal grilled Japanese Tokachi herb beef. Select medium rare for doneness. Red wine sauce, Parmigiano, and eggplant. It was delicious. The dessert is Coupe Glacée Satine. This is a dessert from Pierre Hermé Paris. Mignardises. One Pierre Hermé macaron. Peppermint tea. It was a very good dinner. The price was ¥29,500 JPY ($193 USD). Apparently, the Japanese-style room over there is popular with foreigners. The bar has a nice atmosphere at night. There are tables available on the other side for business dinners. I actually wanted to go to the Japanese restaurant “Suiki” for dinner, but it’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Leave the hotel and go for a night walk. The hotel’s location is excellent. A five-minute walk south will take us to downtown Kyoto. Kiyamachi offers many nightlife venues, including cabaret clubs in Kyoto. This is the intersection in front of Sanjo Meitengai. There’s a shopping street over there, but it’s rarely open at night. Kani Doraku’s Kyoto flagship restaurant (Japanese famous crab restaurant). That has been there for a long time, but it’s still there. Many ramen shops and internet cafes seem to have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a more enjoyable place to visit during the day. A road in the Shijo Kawaramachi area. Going straight from here will take us to the Shijo and Gion areas. There are large department stores and the station. Let’s return to the front of the hotel. The Kamogawa River riverbed at night. The hotel exterior at night. Rooms facing the Kamo River may be visible from outside if they don’t close the curtains. It is a little far from the busy downtown area mentioned earlier, and has a calm atmosphere at night. The Kamogawa River seems low on this day. During typhoons and heavy rain, the river can flood significantly. A major flood occurred on the Kamogawa River in 1935. In front of the hotel at night. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto logo and letters are illuminated. After restaurant hours, there are few people around at night. The lighting is modest, but beautiful. Go inside. There is a concierge desk on the left as we enter. The white ceramic walls are beautiful. The atrium lobby at night. It doesn’t look much different from daytime. The lobby floor is quiet at night. The illuminated kumiko ceiling is beautiful. The elevator ceiling is also beautiful. We arrived on the fifth floor. The lighting on the guest room floors is also nice. A beautiful corridor. Back to my room to see how the turndown service went. Slippers were placed at the entrance. The window shades and curtains were closed. Entering the Japanese-style room… Japanese futon (Traditional Japanese style bedding) was laid out. The pillow is of average firmness. The bed is also of average firmness. Mattress and a bed pad on top of it. And covered with a sheet. Roomwear was placed there. It was made of thin fabric. Mineral water and Japanese sweets are provided. There are outlets and LAN port here. The outlet is a little far from the pillow. On this day, I hardly used the small living room next door. Fill the cypress bathtub with hot water. The shower water pressure is a little strong, and not a problem. The floor is covered in wood, making it easy to stand up. I overlooked this. There are yuzu and hinoki bath salts. They are from Kyoto Shabonya. Enjoy a comfortable bath time. Check the amenities. A wooden hairbrush and comb. The toothbrush is average. Basic amenities are provided. The ice bucket was refilled. Wi-Fi speed is somewhat fast. The outlet is a little far from the pillow, which is a bit inconvenient. If you’re not used to the futon in the Japanese-style room, it can be a little difficult to sleep on. The next morning. Good morning. I love the view of the Kamogawa River from the large window. Let’s take a look at the in-room dining breakfast menu. The Ritz-Carlton Breakfast (Western set menu), ¥6,958 JPY ($50 USD) Mizuki Japanese Breakfast (Japanese set menu), ¥6,958 JPY ($50 USD) Breakfast is served at La Locanda, an Italian restaurant on the lobby floor. Breakfast Menu. Coffee, tea. Western breakfast set menu. Egg dishes, side dishes. Pierre Hermé French toast, Kyoto sausages and bacon, etc. Japanese breakfast set menu. I ordered the Japanese breakfast that day. In addition to the set menu, buffets are also available. Breads. Jam, honey, butter. Pierre Hermé pastries. The Ispahan croissant is popular. The buffet area is divided into several sections. Tea and coffee are available here. Next. Fresh fruits. Hams, etc. Cheese, salmons, olives, etc. Salads. Dressing. Next. Dried fruit, cereal, nuts, granola. Mint water, mineral water, mandarin orange juice. Green mixed juice, hassaku orange juice. Milk from Kobe, Japan Yogurt from Kobe, Japan Boiled tofu (soybean curd) from Kyoto. It was delicious tofu. Pierre Hermé croissant, Ispahan. Rooibos vanilla tea. Hojicha (roasted green tea). Mint water, green mixed juice. Japanese breakfast set menu. Boiled spinach. Salad. Boiled meat and vegetables. Assorted pickles. Grilled salmon, rolled omelet from Uji, Kyoto. Fruit. Koshihikari rice from Kyotango, Kyoto. Miso soup from Saga Prefecture, Japan. It was a satisfying Japanese breakfast. Time passed, and it’s lunchtime. The Japanese restaurant “Mizuki” is open that day, so I decided to check it out. It’s a one-star Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant. The restaurant has separate areas for kaiseki, sushi, tempura, and teppan. Please note that the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The interior is sophisticated . A lacquerware plate with a peacock design. What an amazing design. There are course and a la carte menus available. Seafood shabu-shabu and Japanese black beef shabu-shabu. Grilled fish dishes and beef dish. Sashimi. Bowl of rice. The seafood bowl and Japanese beef bowl are ¥8,000 JPY ($53 USD) Udon noodles and desserts. The champagne is Henriot Brut Souverain. Non-alcoholic sparkling wines from Kyoto. Japanese sake from all over Japan. Kyoto sake is also available. The amuse-bouche is edamame. I ordered plum wine. Next up is an eel bowl for ¥ext up is an eel bowl for ¥11,000 JPY ($72 USD). What a plump eel. Comes with miso soup. The amount of eel is large. Sansho pepper and eel sauce. The miso soup had a rich flavor. The eel was quite filling, so ¥11,000 JPY ($72 USD) wasn’t all that expensive. The portion of rice was quite generous. About three bowls? Dessert from Pierre Hermé, $essert from Pierre Hermé, $2,500 JPY ($16.3 USD). Green tea. It was a delicious eel bowl lunch. It was a fulfilling stay. Marriott Gold Elite members enjoy late check-out until 2:00 PM, while Platinum Elite members enjoy late check-out until 4:00 PM. This hotel does not have a club lounge. Marriott member benefits are listed in the description. Check-out. The hotel staff helped with my luggage and arranged a taxi for me. I took a taxi to my next hotel. Next time I’ll be staying at Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. This is another popular 5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Both the Ritz-Carlton and Hotel The Mitsui are often cited as some of Kyoto’s best hotels. Thank you for watching.

Today I’m staying at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, a 5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto, Japan.

■Hotel Information
Hotel Name: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
Address: Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan, 604-0902
Opened: February 7, 2014
Floors: 5 above ground, 2 below ground
Number of Rooms: 134 (17 of which are suites)
Date of Stay: September 2025
Room: Corner Suite TATAMI (100 sqm / 1,076 sqft)
Price: 361,525 JPY/ 2,400 USD (tax included)
Access: 20 minutes by car from Kyoto Station, 120 minutes by car from Kansai International Airport
Official Website: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ukyrz-the-ritz-carlton-kyoto/overview/

・Gold Elite Benefits
Enhanced room upgrade (subject to availability)
Late check-out until 2:00 PM
+25% Bonus Points
500-Point Welcome Gift

・Platinum Elite Benefits
Enhanced room upgrade (subject to availability)
Complimentary breakfast
Late check-out until 4:00 PM
+50% bonus points
1,000-point welcome gift

■Table of Contents
00:00 Intro
00:40 Exterior/Entrance
02:59 Lobby Floor (1st Floor)
04:05 Check-in
06:53 Elevator/Corridors
07:50 Room Tour (Corner Suite TATAMI)
21:44 The Lobby Lounge
23:56 Wedding/Banquet Hall (B1-2nd Basement)
26:45 Spa/Indoor Pool
29:37 Fitness Gym
30:15 Italian Dinner at Restaurant “La Locanda”
33:51 Walking Distance to Downtown Kyoto
34:58 Hotel Interior and Exterior at Night
37:07 Turndown Service/Tatami Bed
38:32 Bathtime/Amenities
39:54 Breakfast at Restaurant “La Locanda”
43:44 Eel Bowl Lunch at Restaurant “Mizuki”
46:22 Check-out
46:56 Transfer to Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto

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