Designer Rémi Tessier’s subtle French touches are evident in the silver-plated door handles, organic linens, and armchairs by Toan Nguyen.
The Shinmonzen by architect Tadao Ando and designer Rémi Tessier may resemble a traditional Japanese machiya townhouse from the outside, but it reveals an entirely modern narrative within.
Located in Kyoto’s historic Gion neighbourhood, The Shinmonzen pays homage to its street’s rich artistic, cultural, and antique legacy. Ten years in the making, this vision belongs to hotelier Paddy McKillen, the name behind Villa La Coste in Provence, France. He saw what was formerly a parking lot by the Shirakawa River as the perfect opportunity for a ‘sister hotel’ that mirrors the exclusive art collection the French hotel is renowned for.
The hotelier approached one of the world’s most influential architects today, Tadao Ando, to design a modern take on the Japanese Ryokan, collaborating with French designer Rémi Tessier on the interiors. While its dark timber facade echoes the area’s traditional architecture, this nine-suite boutique hotel is a hub for contemporary art and design infused with a European sensibility.
Each suite has its own character, highlighted by local materials and custom artworks, with headboards by Paul Longpré and ceramic vessels by Takayuki Watanabe.
While The Shinmonzen’s architecture may appear as if it’s always belonged to the area, its dark latticed timber facade does hint at another story within. Ando reflects on the design process, stating his aim was to accommodate the modern traveller’s desires while respecting Kyoto’s traditions. “This hotel represents a nuanced fusion of the past, present, and future,” he explains. “I believe it will embody the essence of Kyoto while appealing to cosmopolitan sensibilities.”
Similar to Villa La Coste, located on a biodynamic vineyard in Provence, The Shinmonzen embraces a profound connection to nature. Each suite overlooks the Shirakawa River and features private balconies, allowing guests to awaken to its gentle flow. “From each room, guests can gaze upon a sparkling and effervescent river that is regarded as the most beautiful in all of Kyoto,” Ando notes. “I hope everyone who visits discovers the new charm of this ancient city.”
Rémi Tessier’s interiors in each suite embody a unique character, highlighted by local materials such as bamboo, lacquer, silk, and stone. Three suites offer tatami-themed bedrooms and Iwata twin futon beds, while all feature traditional sliding shoji screens, hand-woven carpets, and hewn sycamore headboards by English craftsman Paul Longpré. The bathrooms feature expanses of marble and include hinoki wood soaking tubs and locally crafted bento-box amenity cases from Kohchosai Kosuga.
Akron desk chair by District Eight
The suites reflect nature’s ‘elemental beauty’ through traditional Japanese design elements such as tatami floors, hand-woven carpets and cypress soaking tubs.
Upon entering The Shinmonzen, Ando’s signature concrete walls guide the eye to a focal artwork that establishes the tone for the hotel’s exceptional collection. In both shared spaces and suites, guests will find paintings, photography, and embroidery from global artists, including Louise Bourgeois, Gerhard Richter, Damien Hirst, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Makoto Ofun.
The Shinmonzen not only shares an appreciation for modern art with Villa La Coste but also for locally sourced, seasonal cuisine. Jean-Georges at The Shinmonzen, the new restaurant by acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten—a long-time friend of McKillen—features an ever-evolving menu that blends French, American, and Asian influences. “Kyoto’s produce is unparalleled; visiting local farms has revealed the best tofu I’ve ever tasted,” Vongerichten shares. “Kyoyasai, their heirloom vegetables, offer increased minerals and vitamins, and you can taste the difference.”
Adjacent to the restaurant, the intimate six-seater The Shinmonzen Bar, designed by New York architect Stephanie Goto, offers a cave-like atmosphere in a deep terracotta hue. Beyond this evening retreat, the Riverside Terrace invites guests to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea amid serene surroundings. The boutique OGATA at the entrance specialises in Japanese teas, confectionery, crafts, and fragrances, ensuring guests leave with a fitting souvenir.
At its core, The Shinmonzen embodies the Japanese culture of Omotenashi, a commitment to wholeheartedly caring for guests. As Tadao Ando attests, “Along the Shirakawa River and Shinmonzen Street in Gion, Kyoto stands an elegant and triumphant hotel.”
The six-seater bar pays homage to Japanese craftsmanship and features a menu of seasonal cocktails and wine – with a selection from Villa La Coste’s vineyard.
As you enter The Shinmonzen, Ando’s iconic concrete walls draw attention to a focal artwork, setting the tone for the hotel’s exclusive collection.
Each of the nine suites overlooks the Shirakawa River from its own balcony, allowing guest to take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding streets and alleyways.
Responding to Gion’s traditional architecture, Tadao Ando designed The Shinmonzen as a fusion of past, present, and future, where East meets West.
The Shinmonzen takes its name from Shinmonzen-dori, a street famed for fine arts and antiques in Kyoto’s Gion Shirakawa district.
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