After completing graduate studies at Kyoto City University of Arts, he joined Nikken Space Design. In 2015, he founded design farm DRiP. Based in the lush natural surroundings of Takayama in Ikoma, Nara, he and his team continue to cultivate the land, grow crops, and share meals made from their harvest—nurturing a design philosophy rooted in daily life close to nature.
The designer places strong emphasis on the use of natural materials and values collaboration with local artisans and traditional crafts rooted in the region. His work seeks to integrate regional character and aesthetic sense while maintaining the functionality of the space.
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At the guest-only lounge, “Lounge Hanare,” you can enjoy trying sake from one of Kyoto’s long-established sake breweries, “Kinshi Masamune.” Enjoy savoring sake with the soothing scent of sugidama (cedar balls) and the comforting feeling of natural wood surrounding you as you relax inside this atmospheric space with the charm of a traditional sake brewery. Enjoy a quiet drink in the lounge, or take your time and unwind with a glass in the comfort of your room—both are highly recommended.
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It's also fun to choose a sake cup. Take the cup that pleases you the most from a variety of patterns and shapes that convey the Kyoto style. Enjoy this moment to the fullest as you indulge yourself in some Japanese sake.
We offer a selection of beverages including three carefully selected varieties of sake from Kyoto’s renowned brewery, “Kinshi Masamune,” as well as Kyoto Tamba wine and a range of non-alcoholic drinks. Enjoy discovering your perfect drink.
In addition to Kyoto sweets from Itoken, established in 1864, we also offer a selection of penny sweets that children can enjoy too. Enjoy an elegant time trying both the authentic and nostalgic tastes.
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A carefully designed interior, along with soft lighting, is used to create a high-quality space.
From families to couples, everyone can relax in their own style in the newly installed Japanese-style seating area.
Chat as you try penny sweets, taste local brand sake, and reminisce about your travels in a relaxing, quiet space.
Overcome generational and international barriers while creating memorable moments in this warm and friendly space to connect and interact.
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The castle was constructed in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, first shogun of the Edo shogunate. It is the only World Heritage Site in Kyoto that isn’t a shrine or temple. There is plenty to see there, such as Ninomaru Goten Palace’s opulent sliding door paintings, or the corridor with “Uguisubari” boards that chirp like nightingales when you walk on them.
Used as the emperor’s residence from the Nanboku-cho period till the Meiji era, this locale thrived as the heart of the government. Don’t miss the gardens, beautiful throughout the year with fresh green growth in spring and red and gold leaves in autumn, or the majestic architecture. Get a true sense of the depth of Japan’s courtly culture and history.
While these are business streets in Kyoto, the Karasuma Oike area is also dotted with historical buildings and popular tourist spots. Traditional townhouse cafes, long-established Japanese restaurants, art galleries, and other shops line the streets, making them perfect for a leisurely stroll about town.
Directly linked to the subway’s Karasuma Oike Station, this shopping complex has a unique and fashionable collection of shops. Part of the building’s charm is how a brick facade preserving Taisho era tastes fuses with architect Kuma Kengo’s modern design. You can also enjoy a refreshing break in the lushly green courtyard.
Called “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, this market has been in operation more than 400 years. About 130 shops line roughly 400 m of street, offering not only such fresh ingredients as fish and Kyoto vegetables, but also the full range of Kyoto gourmet offerings, such as side dishes, Japanese pickles, and sweets. There are also shops where you can dine-in.
Renovating an elementary school that had been closed, the museum holds and exhibits roughly 300,000 manga and related materials, about 50,000 volumes of which you are free to read. Events like workshops on manga and sessions on drawing portraits are also held on weekends.
The annex is just one minute away on foot from the Sanjo main building. The lobby/lounge, “Lounge Hanare,” on the first floor has been renovated to become an exclusive area for guests only. Enjoy complimentary Japanese sake and nostalgic snacks in a refined, warm space featuring a raised tatami floor, comfortable chairs, large tables, and much more. Relax and savor this special moment surrounded by the comfort of traditional Japanese ambiance.
Located just a 2-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Subway Station, making it the perfect base for sightseeing and for doing business. Featuring a townhouse-style exterior with a modern interior and equipped with a washer-dryer combo, kitchenette, and other tools perfect for medium- to long-term stays. Go to “Kyoto Kotokoto Karasuma Oike” for breakfast and try their Kyoto-style homemade cooking, such as “Obanzai,” etc. Taste the Japanese- and Western-style buffet that’s sure to add variety and fun to your trip.
Standing in Shijo Kawaramachi, located in the city center, it is just a one-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. Despite being near the bustling Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, you can expect a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Within walking distance are many great sightseeing spots, such as Kamo River, Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Nishiki Market—the kitchen of Kyoto, etc. You can immerse yourself in the cityscape of Kyoto, from its back streets to its famous locations.
Located just a five-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Subway Station. Once a brewery established in 1781, it has been remodeled into an elegant townhouse-style building and courtyard with every room featuring a hiba wood bath and other details that allow you to fully experience and enjoy the Kyoto-style atmosphere. Walk through the surrounding area that features Japanese-style buildings, akin to a former capital city, and modern-style buildings that stand parallel to them, and enjoy the vast contrast between the flavors from food at long-established shops and the variety of flavors from trendy modern shops that have become the talk of the town.
