ZEN AND SENSIBILITY

THREE YEARS AFTER AMAN DEBUTED ITS SECOND JAPANESE OUTPOST, AMANEMU, THE BRAND HAS NOW PUT DOWN ROOTS IN THE COUNTRY’S CULTURAL CAPITAL. THE LATE AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECT KERRY HILL IMPARTED ON AMAN KYOTO ( AMAN.COM; DOUBLES FROM US$1,014) A MINIMALISTIC FLAIR, DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM ITS GARDEN SETTING WITHIN A 32-HECTARE FOREST NOT FAR FROM THE GILDED TEMPLE OF KINKAKU-JI. A PROMINENT MOTIF? KOSHI, OR WOODEN LATTICES ON THE MACHIYA TOWNHOUSES THAT WERE ONCE A COMMON SIGHT ACROSS THE CITY. WHILE EACH OF THE 26 ROOMS AND SUITES HAVE GLASSTO-CEILING WINDOWS, PERHAPS THE BEST PLACE FROM WHICH TO ADMIRE THE AMAN’S VERDANT BACKDROP IS THE TERRACE OF THE CENTRAL LIVING PAVILION, WHERE CHEF KENTARO TORII PLATES UP SEASONAL KYOTO CUISINE.