Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto today launches Kyoto by Four Seasons, a series of exceptional experiences designed by the Hotel’s Experience Creator Hana Morioka to satisfy each guests’ curiosities while opening the doors to some of the city’s most guarded and hard-to-access sites.

A Kyoto native, Morioka grew up surrounded by the traditions and arts that the Imperial capital is famed for. Yet, she concedes it can be hard for visitors to truly immerse themselves into the rich cultural scene the city has to offer.

“Generally speaking, Kyoto prides itself on its discreet nature and ability to preserve century-old traditions and keep them alive today,” says Morioka. “My role is to offer a link between our illustrious community and our guests, so they can experience a side of my city that is difficult to access, or at least let them experience it in ways that are otherwise unavailable to all.”

With that in mind, Kyoto by Four Seasons was created to satisfy the many desires and interests of the well-travelled. A wide range of activities have been specially selected, from the Cool and Fun for off-the-beaten path excitement to the Must-Do essentials to see while in the city. And for the ultimate stress-free experience, the series of Bespoke Tours lets guests discover the city at their own pace or accompanied by a personal guide for the most insightful discovery. Those who yearn for a deeper encounter with the city’s wide-ranging cultural life look for the individually conceived Unique and Authentic’curated by Hana herself.  With an ever-evolving menu, her recommendations aim to create personal audiences with respected locals while providing privileged access to private sites and vary according to the season or what most ignites individual guests’ passions.

For the introduction of the program, two Unique and Authentic experiences are available, each designed to create memorable encounters.  A private zen meditation session led by the deputy head monk of Shoden-Eigen-in, a sub-temple dating back as early as 1264 and located in the Kennin-ji Temple complex, an island of calm within the bustling Gion district, is the perfect way to start the day.

Meanwhile, art lovers who appreciate the Hotel’s singular collection of fine ceramics on display in the lobby will enjoy a private visit to the venerable Takahiro Kondo ceramics studio with master Kondo-san as their personal host, an experience sure to leave an indelible impression and appreciation for the depth of artistry imparted in each piece.

Kyoto by Four Seasons experiences can also be personally curated based on guests’ preferences. In true Four Seasons style, the Experience Creator is available to connect with guests every step of their journey - from the moment they begin their planning to the entire duration of their stay. “I like to get an early start, ideally before their arrival,” says Morioka, “to ensure that our guests experience the most my city has to offer.”