Seto Inland Sea & Kyoto, Japan Private Tour

With Kyoto being our favorite city in Asia, we are most excited about the new 24-room Aman Kyoto, just opened in November 2019. The 80-acre site includes 72 acres of native forest and eight acres of traditional Japanese gardens. We are particularly impressed with the property’s location in the Takagamine district, walking distance to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple)! The property features spacious and light-filled interiors, similar to traditional ryokans; natural hot springs; and spectacular dining celebrating the unique culinary traditions of Japan using the finest local produce. With large floor-to-ceiling windows, the outside is brought in, allowing for a complete escape in total luxury.

With Kyoto being our favorite city in Asia, we are most excited about the new 24-room Aman Kyoto, that opened in November 2019. The 80-acre site includes 72 acres of native forest and eight acres of traditional Japanese gardens. We are particularly impressed with the property’s location in the Takagamine district, walking distance to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple)! The property features spacious and light-filled interiors, similar to traditional ryokans; natural hot springs; and spectacular dining celebrating the unique culinary traditions of Japan using the finest local produce. With large floor-to-ceiling windows, the outside is brought in, allowing for a complete escape in total luxury.

The recently inaugurated 19-room, 266-foot-long floating ryokan/hotel sails along the Seto Inland Sea. Designed by architect Yasushi Horibee, we feel the guntû is best described as a cross between a traditional Japanese ryokan and a luxury yacht. Owned by the over 100-year-old shipbuilding company, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, the three-decker boat, is named after little blue crabs that sometimes end up in fishing nets. Affectionally called guntû, the crabs are flavorful when added to soups and stews. Excursion options include morning walks along beautiful shorelines, through port towns, and learning from local fishermen. Guntû features a wide range of onboard facilities including an observation deck, a lounge, gym, treatment room, communal bath, and sauna. A highlight of guntû is the dining. Chef Kenzo Sato from Tokyo’s Shigeyoshi restaurant considers the weather, guest preferences, and mood when creating the menu. Local and seasonal ingredients are used with a focus on their flavor, simplicity, and beauty. Dining areas are comprised of a tea room, a cocktail bar/café, a sushi bar, and a char-grill counter. The bar also features an “Engawa” (Japanese-style verandah), which we believe is perfect for sipping sake and taking in the picturesque view.

The recently inaugurated 19-room, 266-foot-long floating ryokan/hotel sails along the Seto Inland Sea. Designed by architect Yasushi Horibee, we feel the guntû is best described as a cross between a traditional Japanese ryokan and a luxury yacht. Owned by the over 100-year-old shipbuilding company, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, the three-decker boat, is named after little blue crabs that sometimes end up in fishing nets. Affectionally called guntû, the crabs are flavorful when added to soups and stews. Excursion options include morning walks along beautiful shorelines, through port towns, and learning from local fishermen. Guntû features a wide range of onboard facilities including an observation deck, a lounge, gym, treatment room, communal bath, and sauna. A highlight of guntû is the dining. Chef Kenzo Sato from Tokyo’s Shigeyoshi restaurant considers the weather, guest preferences, and mood when creating the menu. Local and seasonal ingredients are used with a focus on their flavor, simplicity, and beauty. Dining areas are comprised of a tea room, a cocktail bar/café, a sushi bar, and a char-grill counter.

The central lodging facility within “Benesse Art Site Naoshima” consists of four buildings: Museum (10 rooms) allows close contact with the artworks both in a public exhibition space and in each guestroom; Oval (six rooms – our favorite!), offers beautiful panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and is connected to the museum by a monorail; Park (41 rooms) looks out to the green lawn with open-air artworks to the ocean and the mountains of Shikoku on the far shore, and contains an exclusive lounge, a shop, and Spa; and Beach (eight suites), located on the shoreline with suites only, provides beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea. The Benesse House spa, La Villa, offers a variety of rejuvenating spa treatments.

The central lodging facility within “Benesse Art Site Naoshima” consists of four buildings: Museum (10 rooms) allows close contact with the artworks both in a public exhibition space and in each guestroom; Oval (six rooms – our favorite!), offers beautiful panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and is connected to the museum by a monorail; Park (41 rooms) looks out to the green lawn with open-air artworks to the ocean and the mountains of Shikoku on the far shore, and contains an exclusive lounge, a shop, and Spa; and Beach (eight suites), located on the shoreline with suites only, provides beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea. The Benesse House spa, La Villa, offers a variety of rejuvenating spa treatments.