Bijuu Residence in Kyoto Japan: a 5-Star Boutique Hotel Like No Other
We travel to discover new things and to gain new perspective. And most of the time, our adventures are about stepping our feet to popular landmarks or tourist spots and setting our eyes to something beautiful and mesmerizing. We perceive hotels as just a place to sleep.
Last month when I went to Kyoto, Japan, I was fortunate to be accommodated by the beautiful Bijuu Residence, and it changed the way I think about hotels. It’s one of those rare moments that a hotel has been part of the destination experience because of its uniqueness.
Bijuu Residence, first and foremost, has a powerful location because its located in Shijo area, the shopping and nightlife capital of Kyoto. It’s only a minute away from Kawaramachi subway station of the Hankyu Kyoto Line making it accessible to tourists coming from Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Tokyo and other cities connected by Shinkansen (high-speed trains). It’s only a 10-minute walk away from the Yasaka Shrine and the Gion area while the Kiyomizu Shrine is a 20-minute walk.
Bijuu offers only 2 rooms, 301 de luxe at the third floor which offers a mesmerizing view of cherry blossoms (in Spring) and the manmade river below; and 501 suite which occupies the whole of 5th floor and offers a panoramic view of the Higashiyama mountains and the Kamo river. Both suites, all floors actually, offer free wifi connection for the whole duration of your stay.
The 301 de luxe boasts of a very spacious living room with a huge plasma TV equipped with a satellite TV and CD/DVD player. It has a Japanese-style center table made of wood, a wood sofa, stone flooring, some lamps, a large vase with a plant, blackout curtains, etc.
On the other side of the wooden divider is the bedroom. It has two double-sized beds. The divider, by the way, has the music and light switches, some outlets and reading lamps.
There’s also a wooden desk perfect for your laptop. It’s near the second window that offers a view of the cherry blossoms.
If you’re the kind of traveller who brings many clothes, there’s a huge wardrobe that you can use. A safety deposit box for your valuables is also available.
Adjacent to the door is a display cabinet containing designer items and antiques.
The 301 de luxe is also equipped with a full kitchen which has the mini bar, coffee/tea maker, complimentary bottled water, electric kettle, a coffee machine…
…a two-door refrigerator, an induction oven, a microwave oven, kettle, and other kichenwares.
Beside the kitchen is a balcony/terrace where guests can smoke. The emergency exit is located here.
Bijuu also boasts of an en suite bathroom with a large bathtub.
And of course, the high-tech toilet bowl that features a washer, dryer, seat warmer, deodorizer and you can change the temperature of the water, too!
Just like in other 5-star hotels, complete toiletries are provided in Bijuu with two bath towels, two small towels, and two face towels, and also a hair dryer.
At the ground floor of the hotel is the lobby and a cafe/restaurant which offers coffee and pastries and Japanese meals as well.
The hotel’s surroundings transform into a lively night life haven at sun down with lots of bars and authentic Japanese restaurants nearby.
Thank you Bijuu Residence for our wonderful accommodations in Kyoto, Japan.
Bijuu Residence 5 Star Hotel
194 Send-cho, Shijo-Sagaru, Kiyamachi-dori,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8019