I uploaded a video on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/kinako_anko_cacao_olive/ --- September 19-20, 2022 (Day 2) Kyoto Excursion with Approaching Typhoon Part 6 A friend celebrated Respect for the Aged Day and booked a stay at "Aman Kyoto" for lunch and dinner. Due to a huge typhoon approaching, my friend had to leave Tokyo early in the morning, and we met at Kyoto Station at 8:30 am. We took the JR Sagano Line, transferred at Enmachi Station, and then took a taxi to "Aman Kyoto," arriving at 9:10 am. Check-in was at 3 pm, but we were able to check in early at 1:45 pm. The room was prepared, and we were guided to the accommodation building. The plan my friend booked through Ikkyu.com was a Twin Room with dinner and breakfast included for 216,316 yen for 2 people. The dinner course was upgraded to a free Matsutake mushroom with beef fillet for Ikkyu Diamond members. "Aman Resorts" is a luxury hotel chain with limited rooms, known for its peaceful and safe atmosphere. "Aman" means peace, safety, shelter, and protection in Sanskrit. The room we were shown was a twin room on the first floor with a terrace. We explored the "Forest Garden" and visited the "Heavenly Peak" before enjoying the private natural hot springs at "Aman Spa." We had dinner at "The Living Pavilion by Aman" and breakfast the next morning. The typhoon passed without much impact, and we had a peaceful stay at "Aman Kyoto."

The service was excellent. The afternoon tea was delicious. I thought it was just a place to take photos for net influencers, but Amman was serious. Every dish was fantastic. I would definitely go again if given the chance.

The restaurant at the ultra-luxury resort hotel located on the site of the Asano family's Kyoto Nishijin weaving garden is so wonderful that you might forget the passage of time. The modern architecture designed by an Australian architect, while preserving the traditional Japanese garden, creates a collaboration of landscapes and atmosphere that will make you forget your daily life. It is a genuine space that is sure to impress!

September 2022. Stayed at Aman Kyoto. This is my third stop on the Aman roller campaign that I started this year (a bit late!). Following Aman Tokyo in January and Amanjena (Morocco, Marrakech) in September. On this day, due to the impact of a typhoon causing flight cancellations, I arrived at Kyoto Station in the early hours and dropped off my luggage at the hotel before visiting Jingo-ji Temple, Ryoan-ji Temple, and Kinkaku-ji Temple. Then we returned to the hotel and had lunch at "Takanomiya". We were able to check in a bit early, around noon. The accommodation plan was a "Bou" (twin) room with dinner and breakfast included (dinner upgrade) for about 100,000 yen per person. The room was a terrace room on the first floor. The welcome fruit was a pear, fitting for autumn. The bathroom had a cypress bath, a shower booth, and two sinks. It was nice to see MARVIS toothbrushes and toothpaste. Later, we strolled around the property. Climbing the slope from the Arrival Pavilion, we reached Tenkamine. It felt like a power spot. We then returned to the Aman Spa's natural hot spring (I wonder if it operates on a 30-minute private reservation basis?). After that, we returned to our room for a nap. Later, we had dinner at "The Living Pavilion by Aman" and then went back to our room to sleep. The next morning, the typhoon had passed. It was time for breakfast at "The Living Pavilion by Aman". You could choose between a Western breakfast and a Japanese breakfast. I chose the Western breakfast. The breakfast menu included a variety of dishes, and I opted for Eggs Benedict. The bread was delicious, and I enjoyed the meal. After checking out around 11 a.m., I must say that the staff's service was impeccable. Aman truly leaves no room for complaints. Though it was a short stay, thank you very much.

Is it really necessary to stay at a nearby "Aman" hotel? It's a tough decision, but I went to stay at "Aman Kyoto" this time. It is located in a wonderful (and amazing) rural area at the edge of Kyoto city. This place used to be owned by a wealthy man from Nishijin (the center of Kyoto's textile industry) who had plans to build a museum on the land he bought, meticulously selecting stones and moss, and then eventually inheriting, selling, and so on. It's truly an art. "Aman Kyoto" quietly stands there, preserving the beauty of the garden. This time, I only had breakfast through room service, but I would love to dine here again. The hot springs, sweets, and even the souvenirs are all Aman quality.

Great atmosphere. Delicious food. Good service. For example, if we focus only on the quality of the taste itself, it may not compare to a sushi restaurant when it comes to fish. However, each dish is satisfying and leaves you fully content. The private outdoor bath is very charming. The rooms are decent for the price, but overall, the satisfaction level is quite high. The lush grounds of Aman are truly purifying for the mind and body. The history behind the site, including plans to create a Nishijin textile museum, is also intriguing.

I took a taxi to Aman Kyoto to relax. It seems that taxis are still not very well known in the industry. There are three types of rooms: Pavilion at Washigamine, Suite at Takagamine, and others. This time, I stayed in the Takagamine Suite. However, despite the name, the size of the room is the same as the other rooms. It is located in a place where you don't have to worry about people walking around. I knew the location of the room type in advance, so I didn't mind people's gaze and felt at ease. There were two apples as a welcome fruit, but they were not sweet at all. Since it was a special day, I ordered a cake. It was delicious, but the tart was so-so. For dinner, I went to Takian. It was a course meal featuring Tanba Hirai beef, produced by Kanazawa's Zenzaiya. As I get older, the fatty parts of the Zabuton and Sirloin are a bit too much for me. For breakfast the next day, I had it in my room. I was asked multiple times about the breakfast time and menu, which was a bit tiring. The breakfast was quite delicious, similar to Amanemu. Since there are limited rooms available for accommodation, if you don't mind the cost and prefer a quiet environment, it is a comfortable place to stay. There are also famous restaurants like Otagi nearby.

Great atmosphere, delicious food. Especially loved the dessert and cherry shrimp rice! It's a bit pricey and high-end. We spent a little over 30,000 yen for two people. There were people around us with Hermes shoes and bags... We ended up moving to the outdoor sofa at the last cafe.

The wonderful meal in the lovely space designed by Kelly Hill was fantastic. It had a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Aman in Tokyo, and was very comfortable. The welcome drink with a view of Kelly Hill Garden was also very nice. The food was visually appealing, and the timing of the dishes and wine was perfect. The wine selection ranged from affordable to high quality. The dessert was also satisfying. They brought out each main dish one by one for us to share, and even let us rest in the garden while waiting for a taxi. I ended up falling asleep, but they kindly covered me with a blanket. The staff's attention to detail was amazing. I apologize for falling asleep early due to being very tired, and I hope to visit again in better condition next time.

I had a cheese fondue lunch in Kyoto, surrounded by spacious greenery, giving me a feeling of being isolated in a peaceful and lovely space that makes me want to stay here forever. Various ingredients were lined up in cute cube shapes, making it enjoyable and delicious. It was a happy moment. The hotel and staff were very kind, and one night was not enough.

I shared breakfast with my girlfriend at Aman, and her Japanese breakfast was really delicious! She mentioned that the rice from Ayabe, located under Maizuru in Kyoto, was amazing! I personally loved the orange juice, it was so delicious and really lifted my spirits in the morning! It would have been nice to have orange juice with the Japanese breakfast too - what a shame! For the main dishes, we had minestrone and poached eggs, and the minestrone was so tasty! It was the best! We tried all kinds of bread, including the first time trying a Maritozzo, which I was excited about, but it was heavy and made my stomach feel full. I haven't tried others so I can't really compare, but it wasn't particularly good. The cream puff, croissant, and baguette were just okay. The dinner bread was delicious, so that made up for it, haha. After the meal, we were served coffee outside and enjoyed a cigar.

I stayed at Aman Kyoto and didn't have high expectations for dinner. The dish with sea urchin on top of bread was ordinary, not particularly good or bad. I thought, well, I'm not here just for the food anyway! Most of the guests seemed a bit tense, maybe not used to fine dining. There was only one other couple besides me wearing a jacket, so I felt a bit out of place. But then the amuse-bouche arrived, and the pumpkin soup was delicious! I was surprised by how tasty it was! And the dishes that followed were all amazing too! The tartare was perfect, the red snapper was cooked perfectly, and the tempura was crispy and delicious. The duck in the meat dish was a bit lacking in flavor, but when combined with the sauce and fig sauce, it was delicious. Even the risotto that came when I was already full was surprisingly good! It looked like ochazuke, but it was actually risotto! I was skeptical at first, but I was truly impressed! I would love to come back here again!

I would like to visit Aman Kyoto next during the autumn foliage season. The food, spa, and accommodation were all excellent. In particular, the Japanese breakfast was very calming to eat. The hot springs were also very enjoyable, with a design that was not wasteful. I heard that Aman Hokkaido is also under construction, so I would like to visit once it is completed.

Visited for afternoon tea. A calm environment away from the usual hustle and bustle. Enjoyed the meticulous dishes and sweets in a relaxing space where time flows slowly. Started with a cherry blossom cup, lemon water, savory dishes (4 types), sweets (6 types), strawberry scones (2 types), sorbet, rice cakes, matcha drink, and unlimited choice of favorite tea, coffee, or Japanese tea. Plus a souvenir ♡ Everything was beautifully handcrafted, but the scones were especially delicious ♡ The variety of teas was overwhelming! The atmosphere and the handcrafted dishes... could use a bit more improvement, but overall worth it for the price (including service charge, around ¥8600?).

I have been eagerly waiting for the opening of Aman Kyoto. When it finally opened, the price for a night's stay without meals was in the range of 200,000 yen or more, which was quite shocking. I was hesitant to book a stay, but last December, I finally had the opportunity to stay thanks to the Goto Travel campaign and off-season prices. The hotel is situated on a vast property with a forest, covering a total area of 320,000 square meters. Guests are allowed to explore the hotel grounds, which are connected by pathways made of various types of cobblestones covered in moss. Some of the cobblestones used for a staircase on a hill were specially brought from the Tenkawa Village in Nara, and when you look closely, you can see mica shimmering on them. The fallen leaves during the autumn season created a pink carpet-like scenery, with majestic Kitayama cedar trees lining up gracefully, making it feel like a paradise. Originally, the property was developed by a fourth-generation kimono fabric merchant over many years, with the dream of establishing a textile art museum, which was later managed by a bank. Despite this, the maintenance of the garden continued, and the matured trees and garden facilities are truly impressive. However, it was somewhat disappointing to see the presence of the Living Pavilion, a restaurant building that resembles a mountain lodge, where breakfast to dinner is served. It felt a bit out of place in such a unique setting. I had dinner at a nearby Japanese restaurant called Otagi, which was a 10-minute walk away, so I cannot comment on the evening atmosphere. The afternoon tea was well-prepared and delicious, and the breakfast was elegantly flavored. The service was impeccable, living up to the reputation of Aman. It would have been better if the structure was more spacious and exuded a stronger sense of luxury, especially since they also cater to outside guests. I remember ordering a glass of champagne during afternoon tea, and a male staff member carefully checked the foam before serving it. When he noticed that the foam was not up to standard, he promptly replaced it with a new bottle, which was quite surprising. I was impressed by this level of attention to detail, although to me, the foam in the original glass looked fine. During my stay, the weather was overcast with occasional light rain, and the trees had shed all their leaves. The photos I took turned out dull due to the lack of sunlight, capturing muted colors. I can only imagine how breathtaking the scenery would be during the fresh greenery of early summer. I impulsively made a reservation for that season as well. I wonder if I will have the opportunity to order champagne and see how many refills I can get this time. I look forward to experiencing the true essence of Aman and perhaps discovering more about myself.

This is the main dining restaurant at Aman Kyoto. They serve afternoon tea during the day. There are no other places to eat at night. The taste is average, but the hotel is amazing, so it's good enough! And considering that the hotel costs at least 200,000 yen per night, dinner seems like a reasonable price.

The pairing of drinks was excellent. Not only wine, but also whiskey was served. The taste of the dishes was truly amazing, as expected from Aman. The explanations were detailed and we were able to learn while enjoying our meal. I would love to visit again if I have the chance.

I visited Aman Tokyo and Amanemu, with the former being on top of a building in a big city. The restaurant was quite nice during less crowded times, but the afternoon tea became very popular and started to get too crowded. Amanemu is still developing in terms of greenery on the premises. The quality of the hot springs here was personally enjoyable, but the surroundings lacked a lush feel. Aman Kyoto, on the other hand, had already completed its landscaping and greenery at a high level due to delays in opening. The owner of a kimono fabric wholesaler bought a mountain as a hobby, uprooted cherry blossoms, planted autumn leaves, and ran out of paving stones so had to use high-quality tombstone materials to supplement. The vast grounds with lush forests and walking paths do not quite match the taste of the guests staying at the hotel. The prices are also quite high, comparable to that of a ski resort in Venice or the Alps.

There was a sommelier who seemed to pay attention to details from the ingredients of the night dishes to the naming and even the plates, which made the dining experience enchanting. Although there was no wine list to suggest pairings, the dish names were explained, though I mostly forgot them, haha. The second photo was of "Moon and Softshell Turtle," which left a strong impression. It was a satisfying end to a whirlwind trip to Kansai. The only downside was that the air conditioning was too cold.

This top-class hotel in Kyoto, where overseas celebrities and VIPs stay, is located in a place that is not easily accessible without a car. The afternoon tea here is a bit more expensive than other hotels, but the presentation is beautifully done in a Japanese style with elegant bento boxes. I was impressed by the presentation. Even though I usually don't like Gimo (sea cucumber), the one served here was delicious, making me want to apologize for saying I didn't like it. Additionally, they served mango parfait, scones, and other items in a specific order so that you could enjoy warm items while they were still warm and cold items while they were still cold, showing their attention to detail. At the end, they served warabi mochi and matcha in front of us, adding an element of entertainment to the afternoon tea experience. In the winter, they even grill rice cakes for you. The service staff, despite being in a luxury hotel, were smart and friendly, providing detailed explanations and engaging in conversation, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The taste of the food was not overly sweet like typical afternoon teas, making it easy to finish and leaving me satisfied beyond the price paid. I would definitely want to visit again.

【 Aman Resort Kyoto, a space from another world 】Was it carved out of the mountains? Aman Kyoto appears in the midst of nature, surrounded by the beauty of greenery, the murmuring of the river, and the rugged yet charming cobblestone paths. Away from the noisy sounds of the city, you can relax and enjoy the surroundings. The staff's quick movements and greetings when passing by are thorough, truly living up to the Aman reputation! They were very polite in responding to reservations via email, ensuring that everything was well taken care of, allowing us to have a wonderful time. This time, we visited for afternoon tea. The presentation was beautiful, and we enjoyed a variety of flavors from start to finish, it was truly amazing! They offer a selection of herbal tea, black tea, Japanese tea, and coffee, so you can enjoy different options. I especially liked the herbal tea with a lemon pie-like aroma. Everything was delicious, but the following were my favorites: Foie gras and eel terrine, Ikura and smoked salmon quiche, Mango pudding and herb sorbet parfait, and Hanabi (Japanese and Western sweets). Lastly, Aman is by reservation only! It's a place I would love to visit again on a special occasion.