Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

Surrounded by an 800-year-old pond garden, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto feels like a quiet pause in the middle of the city. Ranked #6 in Japan by Condé Nast Traveller and awarded One Michelin Key, it balances tradition with a modern sense of ease.

Dining ranges from the fire-led flavours of EMBA Kyoto Grill to tea and seasonal sweets at Fuju, framed by views of the garden. Moments of immersion unfold naturally—monk chanting at Chisakuin Temple, watching a Maiko performance, folding origami, or listening to the soft notes of the koto. Back at the hotel, the pool, ofuro, and sauna invite you to slow down.

My goal was to capture this rhythm of stillness and beauty—Kyoto’s quiet luxury, expressed through light, space, and calm.

Watch the reels

Man sitting on a wooden chair holding a glass, overlooking a misty pond surrounded by autumn trees and modern buildings.

Koi fish swimming in a pond surrounded by dense green plants and a stone pathway with a wooden bridge.

Woman in traditional blue kimono performing a Japanese dance holding fans with her arms outstretched on tatami mats.

Tranquil Japanese garden with a pond reflecting green and red trees and a wooden building with people on a deck.

Woman wearing a kimono and face mask playing a koto instrument indoors with warm wooden panel background.

Two people standing on a fog-covered bridge over water, with trees and modern buildings in the background.

Man standing waist-deep in an indoor pool next to stone walls with decorative metal artwork.

Warmly lit wooden interior with vertical slats, bamboo wall, cushioned lounge chairs, and a hanging lantern.

Man with a towel over his shoulder sitting at the edge of an indoor pool facing three lounge beds with sheer curtains and warm lighting.

Modern building with large windows behind a calm pond surrounded by autumn foliage and misty rocks.

Wooden pavilion with intricate triangular roof beams and a spacious paved floor, surrounded by greenery and modern buildings.

Cozy seating area with wooden chairs and tables inside a room featuring exposed timber beams and large windows overlooking green foliage.

Person pouring syrup over a thick pancake topped with butter and berries on a white plate, with a glass of orange juice nearby.

Wooden deck with chairs and small tables overlooking a serene pond surrounded by autumn trees and a modern building.

Person leaning on a wooden railing overlooking a calm pond surrounded by trees with autumn foliage and a traditional wooden pavilion.

Chef wearing a black cap and white uniform, cutting food on a white board in a professional kitchen.

Person holding a glass of red wine at a table with a plated steak, roasted vegetables, fries, and dipping sauce.

Person in bed reading The Japan Times newspaper with breakfast including eggs, orange juice, and coffee served on a table.

Breakfast setting with hand holding two slices of toasted bread, fruit plate, glass of orange juice, milk, cutlery, orchid flower, and a folded newspaper on a white tablecloth.

Man in a white bathrobe drinking orange juice at a table set with breakfast food near a window overlooking trees.

Well-lit corridor with wooden walls and a sign indicating the lounge and bar area on the left.

Cozy hotel room with a large bed, beige sofa with floral pillows, warm lighting, and sliding decorative panels.

Person in bed reading The Japan Times newspaper with a breakfast table in the foreground holding orange juice, coffee, and plates of food.

Man in a white bathrobe sitting on a bed, drinking from a cup and looking out a large window at green trees.

View of a lush green garden with a traditional stone pagoda through a large window with wooden frame and blue carpeted floor inside.

Modern bathroom sink area with granite countertop, towels, slippers on white rug, and illuminated mirror.

Person wearing traditional Japanese clothing walking towards a historic wooden temple surrounded by trees.

Modern lounge area with wooden tables, brown leather chairs, tall black-framed windows, and warm vertical wooden slats on the wall.

Man in sunglasses walking under a modern wooden pavilion with geometric roof beams and a building in the background.

Person holding a glass with lemon slices, sitting by a misty pond with trees and a lit building in the background.

Narrow paved pathway lined with bamboo plants on the right and a traditional bamboo fence on the left.

Hand pouring tea from a black teapot into a cup with a Japanese garden featuring a stone pagoda in the background.

Indoor swimming pool with a person walking along the edge and warm lighting highlighting a textured stone wall and circular metal sculpture.

Man in white t-shirt walking on a garden path surrounded by autumn-colored foliage and a building in the background.

Elegant restaurant interior with a large glass-enclosed wine rack filled with bottles, wooden tables and chairs set with plates and glasses, and warm ambient lighting.