Kyoto has seen a flurry of new hotels and attractions opening recently, and perhaps one of the most talked-about spots in the last year or two is "K36 The Bar & Rooftop."

A bar with a panoramic view of Kyoto city has opened on the rooftop of the hotel, located on Kiyomizu-zaka, the slope leading to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. During the peak of the Go To Travel campaign in the fall of 2020, there was a three-hour wait. I remember retreating then, but it's a bar I absolutely want to visit when I come to Kyoto—in fact, it's such a waste not to go that I feel compelled to rave about it. If you go, I'm sure you'll want to post it on social media...

As the name boldly suggests, the rooftop offers a spectacular, unparalleled view of Kyoto city. And what a view it is of Hokan-ji Temple's "Yasaka Pagoda." While Kyoto has many attractive bars, rooftop bars are surprisingly few. This setting is truly one of a kind.

And while the rooftop often steals the spotlight, it's worth noting that the indoor "K36 The Bar" is equally chic and sexy.

The quality of the cocktails, supervised by butler Minoru Nishida, goes without saying, but the selection of whiskies and wines, primarily French, is also superb. Not only tourists drawn by word-of-mouth but also locals seeking Mr. Nishida's exquisite drinks flock here, making it incredibly popular. It's hard to find a smooth time to get in, but another must-visit spot has been added to my list with each visit to Kyoto (which is a happy problem, of course).

I've started with the bar, but the hotel I primarily want to introduce today is "The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu," which stands out among the many new hotels opening in Kyoto. "K36 The Bar & Rooftop" is located on the fourth floor.

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu has a unique origin story. The hotel opened on March 22, 2020, preserving and repurposing the Kyoto Municipal Shimizu Elementary School, built in 1933 and used until 2011 (K36 The Bar & Rooftop also opened at the same time). It's also conveniently located about an 8-minute walk from "Kiyomizu-dera," one of Kyoto's premier tourist attractions.

Upon entering the entrance along the bustling Kiyomizu-zaka, frequented by tourists, you'll see the stately four-story building. The Spanish tile roof, scratch tiles, arched ceilings and window frames, and bracket decorations under the eaves are particularly striking.

While it would have been easier to demolish everything and rebuild, it was evident even to an amateur writer like myself that they made an effort to preserve the building as much as possible, aiming for its continuation into the future.

For example, the front desk is in what was formerly the maintenance staff room. The graffiti on the stair railings, carved with a wood chisel, is also heartwarming. The three accommodation buildings, formerly the school buildings, are arranged in a U-shape, with a grand staircase in the central space. In a corner of this area, which could be called a plaza, a postbox is discreetly placed. Art is also displayed in various places in the guest rooms and public spaces. Upon checking later, I learned there are as many as 280 pieces.

Near the entrance to the guest room buildings, there is an archive corner displaying photographs from when it was a school and materials related to the local area. In the guest rooms, photo albums documenting the renovation process with before-and-after pictures are provided. As I turn the pages, I find myself feeling an unexpected attachment to this school, despite having no prior connection to it.

There are 15 types of guest rooms, totaling 48 rooms: 30 king rooms and 18 twin rooms. The rooms are divided into those that retain the original school building structure and those in the newly built extension, each with its own charm. The spacious, deep bathtubs are also a nice touch.

On the first floor, there is a guest lounge open to all staying guests. The large windows offer a close-up view of the aforementioned "Yasaka Pagoda." It can be used as a luxurious workspace, or you can enjoy a book with a drink. Simple matcha experiences are also available. It can be used free of charge during your stay.

Although I didn't use it this time, private baths are also available. Three private rooms ("Kiyomizu," "Hato," and "Sakura"), utilizing the over three-meter high ceilings of the former auditorium, are available (Usage is for 90 minutes between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, costing 6,000 yen per room for up to 4 people).

There are two restaurants (excluding the bar). At "restaurant library the hotel seiryu," which utilizes the former auditorium, breakfast is served to hotel guests. The shelves arranged around the tables hold over 1,100 books on art, Kyoto history, Japanese culture and history, and art! If you find a book you like, you can even take it to your room. This sparks the heart of this former literature enthusiast.

I had breakfast here this time. The library-like space offers six menu options themed around "Well-being." Among the appealing choices like "Ratatouille and Egg Galette" and "Kyoto Japanese Breakfast Set," I selected the "Shibazuke Pickle Risotto, TKG-style, with Kyoto Brand Chicken Soboro and Miso." Looking at other articles and blogs, it seems most people choose this one too. I understand why, it's the one! (laughs). It's a true "Kyoto Gozen," using red and black rice from Kyoto-grown Koshihikari, brand-name eggs, and more. It's fun to break the soft-boiled egg and enjoy the changing flavors.

There is another restaurant, "Benoit Kyoto," a French restaurant produced by Alain Ducasse, located adjacent to the hotel building. You might think, "Isn't there a Benoit in Tokyo too?" While both the Tokyo and Kyoto restaurants inherit the philosophy of "Benoit," a French restaurant founded in Paris in 1912, they each have distinct personalities. Kōta Tanaka, the Executive Chef at "Benoit Kyoto," began his culinary career at "Benoit" in Aoyama, Tokyo, honed his skills at "Beige Alain Ducasse Tokyo" and in France, and was appointed chef at "Benoit Kyoto" in November 2021.

The menu includes Benoit's signature dishes, such as "Pâté en Croûte," as well as items that reflect Benoit Kyoto's unique esprit, incorporating ingredients unique to Kyoto. For example, the famous "Pâté en Croûte" is served with pickled Kyoto vegetables.

The prefix lunch starts at 4,800 yen, and dinner starts at 6,800 yen, offering excellent value for money. The interior, reminiscent of a Parisian bistro with its bright red bench sofas, was personally selected by Alain Ducasse himself.

It offers the charm of Kyoto, architecture, art, gourmet cuisine, and relaxation—all while stimulating nostalgia. "The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu," named after the "Seiryu" (Azure Dragon) believed to be a guardian deity of Higashiyama, is a special destination created by the fusion of accumulated history and modern wisdom. It's a place to add to your address book as an option for your Kyoto stay.