Six Senses Kyoto, an urban nature resort in the heart of the historic Higashiyama district, will introduce two exclusive facial treatments, HAKE KIYOME and OMOTE, starting August 1, 2026.
Developed in partnership with Japanese wellness skincare house Lapidem, these programs reframe traditional culture as functional wellness. By integrating tools like Japanese calligraphy brushes, hand-loomed Tokuoka cotton, and the philosophy of Noh theater, the treatments focus on cultivating physical and mental alignment rather than chasing superficial alterations.
At Six Senses, facial treatments are not viewed as cosmetic quick fixes, but as rituals of self-connection. By working with breath, sensory awareness, and stillness, the spa aims to unlock the skin's inherent health. These treatments challenge conventional ideas of beauty, offering guests a quiet space to reconnect with their most natural selves.
This exclusive programming blends global holistic insights with local heritage, available only at Six Senses Spa Kyoto.
HAKE KIYOME: A Brush Purifying Facial Rooted in Cleansing Rituals
75 Minutes | USD 277.00
In Japan, the cultural practice of kiyome (purification) resets the mind and body to prepare for what comes next. HAKE KIYOME translates this philosophy into a tactile skincare experience. The process begins with a non-abrasive cleanse using Tokuoka cotton, a top-class textile traditionally reserved for high-grade hand towels, which lifts away impurities without friction. Practitioners then use two distinct facial brushes handmade by Edo-period techniques to clear pores and sweep away dead cells. The delicate stimulation of these specialized bristles provides a precise sensation that human hands cannot replicate.
Rather than simple cosmetic tools, these items serve as access points to traditional domestic wisdom. Accompanied by the soothing sound and touch of ice water bulbs, the treatment quiets the mind, encourages guests to shed the stresses of daily life, and allows the skin to reclaim its natural clarity.
OMOTE: A Contouring Facial Inspired by the Restraint of Noh Theater
90 Minutes | USD 387.00
The omote (mask) used in traditional Noh theater features no painted expressions, instead, it allows the actor to project profound emotion through the slightest shift in angles. The OMOTE treatment applies this philosophy of subtraction to the face.
Fine Japanese calligraphy brushes stimulate the skin before a warm plaster mask, heated to approximately 104°F, firms and outlines the natural structure of the face. The session incorporates Sokushindo, a Japanese reflexology technique focused on the feet, recognizing that facial tension is connected to the entire body.
This method rejects conventional "anti-aging" messaging. It draws directly from Zeami, the master who shaped Noh theater. In his treatise Fushikaden, Zeami distinguishes between the fleeting charm of youth (jibun no hana) and the enduring, genuine beauty earned through life experience (makoto no hana). OMOTE focuses on revealing that true, mature grace.
The session opens and closes with the clear strike of a Japanese orin chime, signaling a clean break from daily routines and inviting guests into a moment of quiet reflection.
For bookings or for more information, please email: wellness-kyoto@sixsenses.com.
