As Japan prepares its long-anticipated full-scale tourism reopening for October 11, independent travelers can look forward to celebrating the quiet beauty of Kyoto and other popular destinations in Japan.
Ahead of the country easing its border-control requirements, Banyan Tree Group is set to welcome guests to its two newly opened hotels in the country – Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto and Dhawa Yura Kyoto.
In addition to dropping the current requirement of signing up for package tours, Japan is reinstating visa-free short-term stays for visitors from 68 countries and regions – including South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Visitors will only need to show proof of having received three doses of coronavirus vaccines or a negative test result.
Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto
As the first opening under the Group’s newest concept, Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto presents a new and distinct approach to wellbeing through simplistic design and amenities that recharge and rejuvenate. The 25-room hotel is located right in front of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site first built in 1603 during the Tokugawa Shogunate, and offers a meditative view of lush greenery from the lobby, seasonal cuisine at its innovative French restaurant, Singular, and a Wellbeing Room for restorative exercises and yoga. Urbane and pared-back, Garrya was built for the sophisticated traveller looking to escape the chaos of everyday life.
Dhawa Yura Kyoto
The first Dhawa property in Japan, Dhawa Yura Kyoto, is located in Sanjo, in the heart of Kyoto, where temples clouded with incense smoke, centuries-old shrines, museums filled with precious artefacts and world-class shopping and dining all vie for one’s attention. With its serene setting on the Kamo River right by the iconic Sanjo Ohashi bridge, the 138-room boutique hotel offers a convenient base from which to explore the city’s many sights, while its interior design and artworks reflect the historic ties to the Edo period in Japan.
A mesmerising blend of old and new, East and West, ancient history and modern technology, Dhawa Yura Kyoto is deeply rooted in history while offering a full range of premium contemporary comforts, including 8LEMENTS Spa that will nurture with healing therapies and indigenous treatments.
While staying in one of these Kyoto hotels, you can continue your trip exploring other regions of Japan by train. These regional rail passes will offer you unlimited travel within a given area or route for a fraction of the cost of regular tickets.
