Nao Yokoyama

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2016
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

Employment History

• Ishida Co Ltd, Kyoto, Japan; Murata Machinery Ltd, Kyoto, Japan; Office B-Tribe, Kyoto, Japan; The Circle Group Inc, Los Angeles, USA

Education

• Associate of Arts, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles, USA

Birthplace

• Kyoto, Japan

Languages Spoken

• Japanese, English

As a Kyoto native, it brings Nao Yokoyama immense joy to help guests create beautiful memories during their time in the city. “Sometimes, I’m lucky enough to build a real connection with guests and they treat me like family they have in Kyoto. It’s an honour to be part of such meaningful moments in their journey,” she shares.

With a career that began in LA’s fashion circles, Nao took detours into teaching and international trade before joining the preopening team of Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto in 2016 — a move that ultimately led her to her true calling. After just six months in Reservations, it was clear her talents lay elsewhere and she joined the Concierge team. For nearly a decade, Nao handled the A-to-Z of guest experiences: providing local recommendations, organising logistics and reservations, managing special requests and most vitally, building strong relationships with Kyoto’s cultural custodians, businesses and service providers.

Now in her role as Cultural Ambassador, she draws heavily on these equations to curate meaningful connections between guests and local culture: “My goal isn’t to give guests a list of activities to be checked off. Rather, it’s to facilitate moments that illuminate, connect and transform.”

With her expertise to guide the way, cultural and linguistic barriers melt away, allowing visitors to access the essence of Kyoto, particularly through intimate encounters with the keepers of local traditions — artisans, tea masters, maiko, monks and more. Stories are at the heart of it all, skilfully woven into the fabric of life at the Hotel through curated experiences and on-property activations.

Known for her hands-on approach, Nao can often be found in the lobby, always happy for a chat: “The more I’m able to learn about our guests, the more personalised my recommendations can be.” Her in-depth knowledge of Kyoto’s cultural calendar opens the door to local customs in every season: think awe-inspiring archery displays (January), chrysanthemum rituals and moon-viewing events (September), and bell-ringing rituals to signal a new beginning (New Year’s Eve).

Her all-time favourite experience? The private tea ceremony held at the Shakusui-tei teahouse, just adjacent to the Hotel’s 800-year-old pond garden. While tea ceremonies are a mainstay in Kyoto, this particular encounter is carefully tailored to be meaningful and memorable for each guest. Young children are often delighted to find a matcha-whisking competition incorporated into the ceremony, while guests seeking contemplation are guided deeper into philosophy and mindfulness. All this while ensuring the experience remains culturally authentic and respectful.

Even when she’s not at work, Nao’s interests often lead back to the realm of culture and connection. As a mom, she loves discovering local spots that her kids can also enjoy; the current family favourite is Fujinomori Shrine, with attractions ranging from vibrant hydrangea gardens to traditional horse events. She is also an avid photographer, with a keen eye for capturing the beauty of small, everyday moments.