News

Aman announces the launch of Aman Kyoto

6 Feb 2019 by Hannah Brandler
Aman Kyoto Bedroom

Aman Kyoto will open on November 1, 2019, joining the luxury brand’s two other properties in Japan: Aman Tokyo, which we reviewed last year, and Amanemu in Ise Shima National Park.

Set in the forested region of Takagamine, Aman Kyoto will occupy 80 acres of land at the bottom of the Hidari Daimonji mountain, a short distance from Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Kinkaku-ji Temple.

Kerry Hill Architects, the design studio behind all of Aman’s Japanese ventures, will oversee the project.

The resort will be made up of a collection of standalone pavilions, each serving a different purpose – they include Arrival, Living, Dining, and Spa pavilions. Four Guest Pavilions will comprise of 24 rooms, while two separate pavilions will be dedicated to two two-bed villas.

The minimalistic rooms will draw inspiration from the ryokan, traditional Japanese inns, with floor-to-ceiling views of the natural grounds. The rooms will feature tatami floor mats, ofuro bathtubs made from wood native to central Japan, and a neutral colour scheme.

All of the furniture pieces throughout the resort will be custom-designed and exclusive to Aman Kyoto. Handmade raku tile panels will be displayed in the Living Pavilion, while custom-made ceramic tiles will adorn the restaurant.

Aman Kyoto’s haute cuisine restaurant will showcase handpicked local produce in a multi-course dining experience.

The Living Pavilion will cater to all-day dining, specialising in home-cooked obanzai style cuisine and afternoon tea. Take-away bamboo picnic hampers will be available to enjoy in the surrounding gardens and forests.

Aman Kyoto Grounds

Like its other ventures, the Kyoto resort will house an Aman Spa, offering traditional onsen (hot spring) bathing facilities, using water from the local spring. Treatments will feature local Japanese ingredients, such as saké, cold-pressed camellia oil, and green tea.

The gardens, which include yama momiji maples and Japanese cedar trees, will take up eight acres of the grounds and will be surrounded by a stream on one side and a wooden valley on the other – the grounds are self-irrigating thanks to the collection of rainwater in caves and water tunnels.

The gardens will be available for small private dinners, functions and weddings. Yoga and mindfulness sessions are also set to take place here.

Aman Kyoto Gardens

Vladislav Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman, said:

“Following on from the success of Aman Tokyo and Amanemu, Aman Kyoto will add another distinctive facet to our continued journey – and commitment – to Japan.”

Aman Kyoto is owned by the Chartered Group. Eyal Agmoni, the Chairman of the group, commented:

“With the utmost care, craftsmanship and dedication, this garden sanctuary has been over two decades in the making so we can open its doors as an Aman. I am especially grateful to the late Kerry Hill and his team who created an architectural language that not only respects traditional Japanese design, but also celebrates, protects and brings back to life the unique gardens in which Aman Kyoto is housed. I have no doubt that this resort will be met with positive global interest, and will set a new hospitality standard in Japan.”

Aman launched in 1988 with Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand, and now has 34 resorts in 21 destinations. These include the upcoming outposts in Mexico and New York, both of which are scheduled to launch in 2020.

The Chartered Group will continue to invest in Japan, starting with the launch of Residences at Aman Kyoto in 2020.

aman.com/kyoto

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