"KAN" in "KANRA" stems from the letter "Kan" (experience) and "RA" comes from the letter "Raku" (City).
We are a hotel where guests can "Experience" the spirit of this "City" that embraces the beauty, wisdom, and hospitality of Japan.
That is our purpose and our mission.

The "lights" of time

The "lights" of time

Step through the machiya gates and into the lobby much like an inner garden that leads to a main house. Here, you will be welcomed by an emotional and scenic space of light like the sunny patches of light and leafy shades of a garden. The lights change according to the season, the time of day, by sound, and by the movements of the people inside its space. When inside the lobby, please enjoy the changing expressions of light.

A Room in a Kyoto Machiya

A Room in a Kyoto Machiya

The Superior Room and Deluxe room is like a terrace-style house of a machiya in Kyoto. Once past the approach accentuated by latticework in a tasteful machiya, guests will find themselves in a narrow passage garden-like space with wash-basin and writing desk. This space very much like a kitchen garden in a Kyoto Machiya leads to the tatami floored room waiting in the back.

Aromatic Japanese cypress bath

Aromatic Japanese cypress bath

All rooms offer the comfort of bath tubs made from aromatic Japanese cypress. The tubs, 140cm in length x 75cm in width and 60cm in height (outer dimension) is a luxurious size that offers supreme relaxation. The bath also comes with a separate shower. Driftwood art is also available in some rooms.

Unassuming Art

Unassuming Art

Various art pieces bring even more color to KANRA. Every space on every floor is a chapter in the grand story of Kyoto and its graceful history of living together with nature. The art captures each peaceful moment, like a witness of time that has been there since the beginning.

Patterns of the "City"

Patterns of the "City"

Kanra's symbol mark is an embodiment of the "City" with its majestic landform outlined by the Katsura River and Kamo River and crossed by the "jo" streets traveling east to west and "tori" streets traveling north and south. Five additional patterns that depict Kyoto's natural bounties including Kitayama cedars and the flow of its rivers as well as patterns that highlight its cultural aspects such as the famous stone gardens can also be found throughout the hotel.

Breakfast of 20 types of vegetables

Breakfast of 20 types of vegetables pleasing for the mind and soul

A happy treat for a body that has just come out of sleep. KANRA's breakfast featuring more than 20 types of vegetables is an eye opening experience for the palate, offering the essential flavors and energy of the ingredients themselves. Whether it be the Kyoto-style tapas plate arranged from traditional Kyoto Obanzai cuisine or the fresh Kyoto vegetable juice and hearty soup.

Char grill bringing out the best of seasonal foods

Char grill bringing out the best of seasonal foods

Kyoto's "foods" have been long refined through the city's history and heritage as the ancient capital, its distinctive basin geography and climate, and its bountiful and pure groundwater. The Kitchen Kanra cooks these local foods protected by tradition in a simple manner, by "chargrilling", in order to bring out the essence of each food and serving meals that bring the flavorful joys of the season to its guests.

Homemade herbs and vegetables

Homemade herbs and vegetables

Mint, Italian parsley, stevia, turnips, carrots, Kujo negi, young greens, Hatsuka daikon radish, and a variety of other herbs and vegetables thrive inside the planters of the rooftop garden of the hotel. Fresh seasonal herbs and vegetables just harvested from the Kanra garden may be awaiting you for your culinary pleasure.

Sauces born from vegetable peels

Sauces born from vegetable peels

It is said that Kyoto vegetables have higher nutritious content than regular vegetables. That is why we make sure that we do not waste an ounce of the deliciousness and nutrition of our Kyoto vegetables, carefully selected by the chef himself at local farmers and markets, and use even the bits and peels to prepare sauces and stock. Please discover for yourself how they are used and presented. We are sure that you will be amazed and delighted by the discovery.

Tanba wine

Tanba wine

Tanba has long supported this ancient capital's reputation as a "food haven." What makes Tanba so good for winemaking is its rich soil and the temperature difference between night and day. In fact, the Tanba region is known to have one of the greatest temperature differences even across the whole of Japan. We offer a colorful lineup of delicious local drinks such as this Tanba wine as well as Fushimi local sake, shochu, and local beers made from the rich waters of Kyoto.

Aromatic hospitality

Aromatic hospitality

Guests will be welcomed by two types of aromas at the entrance. The two aromas, different according to season are said to change sensory temperature by 2℃. During chilly seasons, citrus aromas bring a sense of warmth and during hot seasons, refreshing scents such as mint will sooth you in the heat.

Enjoy the KANRA notebook in your room

Enjoy the KANRA notebook in your room

The KANRA notebook in each room introduces stories regarding the hotel and Kyoto offering bits of Kyoto knowledge such as Kyoto dialects, manners of an apprentice geisha, and recommended cycling courses as well as facts on Japanese calligraphy, Japanese flower arrangements, and games such as Kyoto Word Cards that you can enjoy in the privacy of your room.

A tour of the city on an electric bicycle

A tour of the city on an electric bicycle

Why not roam through the city of Kyoto on an bicycle? Our hotel rents electric bicycles for your touring pleasure. A tour map is also available at the concierge des. The bicycles are powered by the electricity generated on our rooftop solar panels and guests can enjoy observing the electricity accumulating while inside the building.

The city's tea and cups

The city's tea and cups

The tea cups and tea available in each guest room are also products of Kyoto. The cups, made especially for KANRA by Kyoto artists, all have a different expression. The Sencha green tea and Hojicha roasted green tea blends green powder tea from Marukyu Koyama-en, a long-established name in Uji founded in the first year of theGenroku era.

A library of new discoveries

A library of new discoveries

The library space situated along the lobby windows offers a plethora of "discoveries" on Kyoto artistry, wisdom, manners, design, and more. Please sit back on the sofa and discover your "finding." You may find that "something" that had passed unnoticed until now.