Roku Kyoto, Lxr Hotels & Resorts

“Dream vacation”

The staff is amazing. The room was wonderful. Truly 10/10 experience. The food on site was traditional and delicious. The massage was the best hotel massage I have ever had.

“Once in a lifetime experience”

The room was a masterpiece of minimalist, warm design, with serene views. Waking up to the sound of birdsong instead of city noise was a true luxury. However, the crown jewel of ROKU KYOTO is undoubtedly the thermal pool. It is simply breathtaking. Floating in the warm, onsen-fed water while surrou… more

The room was a masterpiece of minimalist, warm design, with serene views. Waking up to the sound of birdsong instead of city noise was a true luxury. However, the crown jewel of ROKU KYOTO is undoubtedly the thermal pool. It is simply breathtaking. Floating in the warm, onsen-fed water while surrounded by nature was a deeply rejuvenating experience, both during the sunny day and under the stars at night. What truly elevated our stay was the impeccable service. Every staff member was warm, attentive, and intuitive, anticipating our needs without ever being intrusive. The dining experience at TENJIN was also exceptional, featuring exquisite dishes that celebrated local ingredients. If you are looking for a true escape to recharge your mind, body, and soul, look no further. ROKU KYOTO is an unforgettable experience, and we are already planning our return.

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“A Masterpiece of Serenity in Northern Kyoto”

ROKU KYOTO is a masterfully planned retreat. I used this stay as a strategic "break" in the middle of a busy Kyoto trip, and it was the perfect decision. Located in the quiet Takagamine area, you feel completely removed from the city's crowds, yet you’re still within a 10-minute stroll of the Golde… more

ROKU KYOTO is a masterfully planned retreat. I used this stay as a strategic "break" in the middle of a busy Kyoto trip, and it was the perfect decision. Located in the quiet Takagamine area, you feel completely removed from the city's crowds, yet you’re still within a 10-minute stroll of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). The Private Onsen Experience I stayed in a ground-floor room featuring a private garden and onsen. The design is striking—the stone tub and the flow of natural hot spring water provide a level of privacy and relaxation that is hard to find in a standard hotel setting. It turns the room into a personal spa. Winter Wellness The wellness facilities here are top-tier. The outdoor thermal pool is open year-round, and experiencing it during the winter was unforgettable. Watching the snow fall while submerged in the warmth of the natural spring water is a core memory of the trip. The fitness center is equally impressive, offering a clean, modern space for a proper workout. A Culinary Deep-Dive at TENJIN The dining at TENJIN was so impressive that after my first meal, I kept returning until I had sampled nearly the entire menu. The chefs are doing incredible work—the flavor profiles and presentation of the "small plates" feel like they belong in a Michelin-starred kitchen. The only thing keeping it from that star is likely the service; while the staff is professional and attentive, it lacks that ultra-proactive, seamless intuition found in the world's top-ranked restaurants. ROKU KYOTO offers a rare combination: the amenities of a massive luxury resort with the quiet, understated elegance of a boutique property. If you’re looking for a place to recharge between sightseeing days, this is the definitive choice.

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“A Bridge to Another Kind of Kyoto”

Although I have visited Japan on numerous occasions, this was my first time in Kyoto, and thus my first encounter with this particular property. It would perhaps be fair to say that the resort does not place itself in immediate dialogue with the city’s more frequented destinations. For those who m… more

Although I have visited Japan on numerous occasions, this was my first time in Kyoto, and thus my first encounter with this particular property. It would perhaps be fair to say that the resort does not place itself in immediate dialogue with the city’s more frequented destinations. For those who may wish to explore Kyoto’s major sites at a more leisurely pace, the journey to and from the resort may require a certain degree of planning, particularly as many of the cultural landmarks tend to close their doors relatively early in the evening. Yet, it is precisely this gentle remove from the city that allows the property to offer something rather distinct. As a place for inner quiet and restoration, it reveals itself to be remarkably composed. The water garden, in particular, serves as its defining signature — its character shifting subtly between day and night, and, when stirred by the wind, creating soft undulations that lend a sense of calm and quiet reflection. The pathways connecting the guest rooms, dining spaces, and tea house — thoughtfully sheltered — further contribute to the sense of continuity and ease within the grounds. As I walked across the pathways that seemed to float gently above the water, I was reminded—perhaps quite unexpectedly—of the bridge leading into the bathhouse in the movie, Spirited Away. There was a similar sense of crossing into a space set apart, where the atmosphere subtly shifts and time appears to slow.During check-in, I was informed that even non-resident guests occasionally visit the tea house, dressed in kimono, to partake in afternoon tea. It appeared to be a rather popular custom, and one that added a certain cultural texture to the overall atmosphere. In many ways, the resort stands in gentle contrast to the more crowded and animated areas of Kyoto, offering instead a setting that feels intentionally subdued and contemplative. There were, however, certain aspects that may benefit from a touch more refinement. The pool experience, for instance, felt somewhat less intuitive than one might anticipate, with certain facilities and seating arrangements appearing to be reserved without immediate clarity. Some additional guidance, perhaps offered more proactively, might allow guests to engage with the space more comfortably. That said, access to the nearby Shozan Resort gardens — quietly available to guests upon presentation of a room key — provided a most welcome extension of the experience, and a moment of unexpected delight. Altogether, it was a stay that invited one not to seek Kyoto, but rather to momentarily step away from it — and in doing so, to discover a different kind of stillness.

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