Global hotel and spa operator Six Senses will open its first Japanese property in Kyoto in 2024.

Six Senses Kyoto is being realised as an urban sanctuary in a city famed for its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, traditional Japanese architecture and beautiful cherry gardens.

The destination is being conceived by BLINK Design Group to bring the Six Senses brand values to life through elegant designs while maximising space, privacy and views.

The property’s spa with wellness facilities will blend traditional healing and Japanese Zen culture into the wellness experience. From the Ryokan-style welcome to tea ceremonies and signature treatments, the spa will focus on healing rituals to induce calm and wellbeing.

The spa lounge will incorporate a retail offering including vibrant fashion and homeware collections and a variety of skincare and lifestyle products.

Six Senses is also infusing a sense of wellbeing into its 81 guest rooms; organised around a central courtyard, rooms will connect guests to nature through biophilic design as a garden of seasonal landscapes.

Meanwhile, interiors will contrast simple lines with earthy organic tones and a “beauty in the details” vibe, setting a calming and welcoming mood and celebrating authentic Japanese traditions and décor.

The hotel journey is designed to mirror the different energies of the city life, from the sensory stimulation and movement of the street to the stillness and calm of a Zen garden.

Guests will be able to meander freely from these outside spaces into the indoor dining areas, which include an all-day dining restaurant, speciality sushi restaurant, brew bar and cocktail lounge.

Additional facilities will include meeting rooms with a fireplace, an Earth Lab facility and a host of Grow With Six Senses arts, crafts, ecological and wellness activities to attune children to Japanese customs in a playful, immersive way.

“We’re delighted to announce our entry into Japan’s cultural heart, Kyoto,” comments Neil Jacobs, Six Senses chief executive officer.

“Together with our partners, Tokyo-based Wealth Management, we’re tapping into Kyoto’s rich cultural significance and our brand ethos of sustainability and uplifting experiences to develop a premier wellness-focused destination.

“The food, impeccable and thoughtful service, gardens, lanes, architecture and healing and bathing rituals create an exciting addition for us, and a downtown location for guests to relax and reconnect.”