These Two Top Japan Hotels Should Be On Your Fall Travel List

  • October 19, 2022
These Two Top Japan Hotels Should Be On Your Fall Travel List

Two idyllic properties await travelers this fall. Visit Kyoto, the the cultural and historical heart of Japan, and then visit the island of Okinawa, known for its tropical climate and beautiful beaches.

HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is one of the most prestigious five-star hotels in Kyoto. Located in the cultural and historical heart of Japan, the property is an idyllic sanctuary that honors ancient Japanese traditions and embodies the legacy and spirit of the region. The renowned hotel effortlessly creates harmony between the natural environment, scenery and history for all guests.

  • Experience the Gorgeous Fall Colors: Although Kyoto has breathtaking views any time of the year, autumn is said to be the best time for visitors looking to explore the city’s most colorful season. While many tourists associate the city with the spring cherry blossoms, locals know Kyoto’s fall colors are equally as special. Restaurants that serve the finest seasonal ingredients, a spa with natural onsen hot spring bathing and nearby temples and castles to explore, are just a few of the highlights.
  • Take Part in Bucket-List Activities: As the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto is the birthplace of many cornerstones of Japanese culture, such as the Way of Tea, calligraphy and many other traditional arts. It is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites and countless ancient temples and shrines. Guests visiting HOTEL MITSUI THE KYOTO can take part in special experiences like a morning of zen at Myoshinji Temple, Japan’s largest zen temple, home to one of the country’s oldest ink paintings. On site, the yoko en pond garden is the perfect location for an introduction to zazen sitting meditation, followed by a special asa gayu breakfast made in the Buddhist shojin vegan tradition by Ajiro.

Halekulani Okinawa (pictured)

One of the only 12 Five-Star Hotels in Japan, Halekulani Okinawa offers various opportunities for guests to experience an unforgettable travel journey:

  • Exclusive Access in a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: Take part in two new Halekulani Okinawa Escapes, private excursions that encourage travelers to harness the healing power of nature in Japan’s newly recognized UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Offered exclusively to hotel guests and guided by one of the few certified naturalists in Japan, choose from a meditative experience through the forests of Yanbaru National Park or explore sawanobori, the popular local activity of stream climbing.
  • Discover the Birthplace of Karate: With the property’s Discover the Island’s Mabui (Soul) experience, guests take lessons from a master of traditional Okinawa karate and learn the history of how the martial arts strengthen the connection between the mind and body. Okinawa has long been recognized as the birthplace of karate, with the origins of the martial art dating back to the early days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, an era known for its unwavering dedication to peace.
  • Award-Winning Gourmet Cuisine: Delight in a memorable, locally-sourced menu at signature Shiroux, recently honored with Wine Spectator’s Best of Award Of Excellence 2022. One of the property's eight restaurants and bars, Shiroux's Michelin star chef Hiroyasu Kawate invites guests to enjoy the best fine dining experience in Okinawa.