THE SHIMAYA GUEST EXPERIENCE
MADE IN KYOTO, WITH KYOTO, FOR THE WORLD
Shimaya Stays has a strong interest in Japanese culture. Apart from restoring and reimagining traditional spaces, we are constantly seeking artisans and businesses to help us create experiences where guests can see, touch and taste Kyoto.
We would like to introduce a few of our partners here:
Specialising in karakami – a form of woodblock printed paper – Kira Karacho 1624 is the only karakami atelier in Japan that has remained in existence since the Edo period (1603-1868).
All of the atelier’s karakami are hand-printed on Japanese washi paper with woodblocks handed down from generation to generation.
Shimaya Stays is honoured to have Kira Karacho create unique karakami artworks for the BenTen Residences and The Lounge.
Shoutoku Shuzo’s records of sake production date back to 1645. The brewery is located in Kyoto city’s Fushimi ward, which has flourished through the ages as a sake region, thanks to its high-quality spring water.
Sake also depends on the rice used so Shoutoku works closely with farmers in Kyoto to produce delicious junmaishu – sake made only with rice, water, yeast and koji mould.
Apart from offering the brewery’s sakes as a welcome gift, Shimaya Stays can arrange for guests to purchase its products, which will be made ready for collection at the airport before check-in.
Launched in 2013, Yunomi strives to connect connoisseurs around the world with small tea businesses in Japan by listing their products online.
Yunomi supplies Shimaya Stays with tea from Uji, an area in Kyoto prefecture that plays a historically significant role in the production of Japanese tea.
Guests will find Yunomi tea packs as part of the welcome package. We can also help guests make purchases from Yunomi.
Takaokaya, established in the heart of Kyoto, has been making zabuton cushions and futon bedding by hand since 1919.
Even as it passes its skills on to the next generation, Takaokaya has developed products to harmonise with modern living spaces. It uses fabrics sourced globally as well as silk woven in Kyoto’s Nishijin, where textile production goes back more than five centuries.
Shimaya Stays has had the pleasure of working with Takaokaya’s staff to design unique cushions for all our townhouses.
