Page 24 - Architectural Digest - USA (February 2020)

DISCOVERIES

1

SEE
From the hotel,
it’s an easy walk to
some of the city’s
iconic temples.
Start your morning
at Kinkaku-ji, clad
in gold leaf that
shines in the rising
sun. Then head to
Ryoan-ji, home to
Japan’s most famous
rock garden, before
continuing on to
Ninna-ji, a sprawling
complex dating back
to the early Edo
period. Stamina per-
mitting, take the
tram to Arashiyama,
where you can visit
the Bamboo Grove
and Katsura Imperial
Villa (a must accord-
ing to Roman Alonso
2
of the AD100 firm
Commune Design).
1. STONE STEPS LEAD The latter requires
TO A SECRET GARDEN advance permis-
AT THE AMAN KYOTO.
2. AN OUTDOOR sion—ask the hotel
BATH AT THE HOTEL’S for help.
ONSEN SPA.
TRAVELS SHOP
Tradition still thrives
in Kyoto, where small
Soak It All Up shops spotlight local
craft and cuisine. Pick
up tea at Ippodo,
Relaxing at its most incense at Shoyeido,
and stationery at
refined, the new Aman Kamisoe, a fave of
AD100 architect
Kyoto is both a gateway Toshiko Mori. On the
same street is a col-
to the city and a world lective of artisans
selling wares inside a
unto itself machiya, as well as
a tiny sweets store,
Umezono Sabo.

EAT
Peruse the food
Y there is no gym at the new Aman stalls at Nishiki
ou might be surprised to learn that
Market. Slurp soba
Kyoto, now the world’s most buzzed-
at Misoka-an
Kawamichi-ya or
about wellness destination. There’s
Itsutsu, both
no need for one—thoughts of tread-
beloved for their
mills and free weights couldn’t be herring/noodle
further from guests’ minds. Those lucky enough to combos. And for a
visit the hotel’s 26 rooms and suites will instead find themselves drawn to the spectacular special treat, snag
a coveted bar seat
landscape: an 80-acre tableau of indigenous plants and ancient rocks, with lovingly revived at Monk, where chef
gardens that date to the late Edo period. Who needs kettlebells when the leaves of 20,000 Yoshihiro Imai cooks
Japanese maples are turning? set seasonal menus
(pizza included!) out
Rejuvenation (mental, physical, spiritual) comes in the form of walks along moss-
of a stone oven.
covered paths, in the shadow of towering sugi trees, or hikes up monumental stone steps
to a secret clearing where the hotel offers yoga and guided meditation. But rest assured FLY
Start your cultural
you will break a sweat during your stay: Indoor and outdoor baths fed by natural hot springs
immersion on the
offer a contemporary take on the onsen experience. Like this spa, the guest pavilions and tarmac: ANA airline’s
dining spaces were all designed by the late architect Kerry Hill, who incorporated tradi- cabins (on flights
tional Japanese touches—from tatami mats to blackened timber façades to cypress soaking from NYC to Tokyo) COURTESY OF AMAN
were just redone by
tubs. Of course, a trip to Kyoto is about exploring, not just unwinding. AD rounded up
Japanese architect
some favorite stops in this historic city. aman.com —SAM COCHRAN Kengo Kuma.

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