Harmony between modernity and heritage
Six Senses Kyoto is a green oasis at the heart of Japan’s cultural capital, showcasing sustainability through culture, community, and ecology. Urban sustainability is about collaboration and forging connections, from the Shinto shrine next door to the seventh-generation farm just outside Kyoto, where the organic farming techniques have been handed down by ancestors to provide best-in-season produce for our guests. Kitchen waste is composted and used to feed our beautiful traditional gardens and grow herbs for the kitchens and spa. Guests and the local community are invited to meet in our Earth Lab and share ideas for a more sustainable world. Our aim is to integrate with the fabric of Kyoto and provide the perfect advantage to explore the fantastic history and thriving culture this city has to offer.
At Six Senses Kyoto, we are committed to fostering a sustainable future by integrating environmental responsibility into all aspects of our operations. Through partnerships with local organizations, we actively promote conservation and biodiversity to preserve Kyoto’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
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Kizuna: Bonding People, Nature, and Culture
Collaborating with Forest Culture, we are helping to preserve Kyoto Higashiyama's forests, enhance biodiversity, and honor the cultural significance of Kyoto’s three mountains - Higashiyama, Kitayama, and Nishiyama. By supporting local ecosystems, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of Kyoto's cultural heritage and encourage community involvement. In 2024, we contributed to the creation of informative leaflet maps, guiding visitors along the forest trails and offering insights into the surrounding ecosystems. These maps help guests form a deeper connection with these vital natural and cultural landscapes. Together, we strive to promote long-term preservation for future generations.
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Hiking for a Cleaner Tomorrow
In partnership with the Kyoto Mountaineering Federation, we are proud to promote responsible hiking through a simultaneous clean-up hike initiative across Kyoto Prefecture. This meaningful collaboration encourages visitors and the local community to reconnect with nature while actively working to preserve it. By fostering a culture of sustainability, we aim to inspire hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to protect the natural beauty of our trails, supporting the wellness of both local communities and the land we cherish.
Social Responsibility
Kyoto has always been seen as the cultural capital of Japan. We work directly with local community partners to support traditional arts and culture, ensuring the rich history of this destination lives on with future generations.
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Traditional art of Sashiko
Sashiko is a traditional sewing technique used to strengthen fabrics and make them more durable. While very popular in the past, modern living is rendering this heritage obsolete. A local artist only a few blocks away is using antique fabrics and the Sashiko technique to make our Nine Tailed Fox, which is available to purchase in all guest rooms, with the profits of all sales going towards our Sustainability Fund.
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Sustainability Fund and Community Engagement
Sustainability begins and ends with local communities, as they are the real beneficiaries in the long term of all our actions. For this reason, 0.5 percent of our revenue and the profit of our hotel mascot sale, all go towards our dedicated Sustainability Fund, supporting two locally based organizations Biotope Network Kyoto and Council for Kyoto Traditional Forest Culture, in regenerating, conserving, and educating younger generations on forestry revitalization and its cultural value.
