Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto Welcomes Winter with Festive Traditions, Seasonal Flavours, and Deeper Discovery

As winter settles over Kyoto’s temples and gardens, the holiday spirit awakens at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, welcoming guests for a season of festive cheer and shared warmth. Opening with a Christmas tree lighting on December 1, 2026, the celebration continues through Christmas and New Year with signature offerings that move from lavish feasts and a charming afternoon tea to crafted cocktails, cakes, and omakase.

Beyond the festivities, winter brings a different rhythm to Kyoto, opening the door to quieter, more intimate encounters. Set around a 12th-century pond garden, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto shares the city’s culture, craft, and flavours through thoughtfully curated spaces and experiences. Timeless traditions unfold alongside a modern expression of luxury, completed by the intuitive, personalised service for which Four Seasons is renowned.

Holiday Highlights

EMBA KYOTO GRILL brings festive magic to life with a special buffet dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. A Christmas tree and crackling fireplace set the scene for a spread of holiday favourites, from freshly carved roast Wagyu beef to an array of indulgent desserts.

Festive Dining

Through December, EMBA KYOTO GRILL celebrates with a seasonally inspired course menu, featuring highlights like the beef tataki, composed with winter mushrooms and house-smoked mayonnaise, and charcoal-grilled Japanese beef tenderloin or sirloin.

This year’s Festive Afternoon Tea is led by sweet delights like a reindeer-inspired berry shortcake and a fragrant mousse crafted into a Christmas bauble. Refined savouries round out the ritual, alongside freshly baked scones and fine teas.

At SEY bar, guests can toast the most wonderful time of the year with signature holiday beverages. The classic White Russian is reimagined with hinoki (Japanese cypress) and salted whipped cream, while the gently spiced Carrot Cake Mocktail extends a sense of cosy comfort.

For an elevated culinary celebration, Sushi Ginza Onodera at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto presents a seasonal omakase built on meticulously sourced ingredients like sea urchin, lobster, abalone, and tuna. Exceptional winter flavours meet the artistry of Edomae-style sushi in a sleek setting framed by views of the pond garden.

The festive line-up is completed by a collection of exquisite Christmas cakes and takeaway treats, including Japanese whiskey stollen, spiced ginger cookies, and panettone – perfect for bringing Four Seasons craftsmanship to gifting traditions or holiday gatherings at home.

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Winter Discovery

Beyond memorable celebrations, winter also offers a chance to fully embrace the contemplative side of Kyoto. Marked by a profound serenity, this season most clearly reveals the city’s deep-rooted Zen spirit. Temples and shrines are dusted with frost. Mist curls through centuries-old streets. The landscape grows quiet, making room for a more mindful exploration.

In the spirit of the season, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto invites guests to engage more deeply with Kyoto’s living heritage. Cultural Ambassador Nao Yokoyama curates a selection of exclusive experiences, from traditional maiko performances to tea ceremonies, forest walks, and after-hours temple visits.

The immersion continues within the hotel’s guest rooms and suites, where refined Japanese aesthetics create a sense of elegant tranquillity. With several accommodations overlooking the pond garden, guests can enjoy meditative moments alongside 800 years of history while discovering subtle design details inspired by Kyoto’s artistic legacy.

Wellness takes a warm, restorative turn during colder months, with The Spa highlighting therapies designed to soothe, comfort, and relieve the winter chill. Treatments are complemented by access to the sauna, steam, ofuro (Japanese baths), and relaxation lounge, all part of the Hotel’s extensive wellness facilities.

Located in the historic Higashiyama district, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto welcomes guests to experience both sides of winter in the city, from joyful festive celebrations to a calm unfolding of beauty and tradition. For more information or reservations: the website.