If you are looking to explore the historic streets of Kyoto while maintaining a mindful, eco-conscious lifestyle, Good Nature Hotel Kyoto offers a groundbreaking blueprint for the future of hospitality. This exceptional property seamlessly blends urban luxury with deep environmental responsibility, holding the distinction of being the first hotel globally to simultaneously achieve both WELL and LEED certifications.
From running on 100% renewable energy and eliminating disposable room amenities to upcycling kitchen waste into local agricultural systems, the hotel proves that travel can be deeply revitalizing for both the guest and the planet. Following a recent visit by our CEO, Anne Kyle, we took a closer look at how this dedicated team encourages travelers to make more mindful choices without ever compromising on comfort.
Join us as we dive into an exclusive conversation about circular hospitality, mindful design, and the future of green travel in Japan’s cultural capital.
Hi, could you introduce Good Nature Hotel Kyoto to our readers and tell us about the hotel’s vision for sustainable hospitality?
We are Good Nature Hotel Kyoto, established in 2019. Our goal is to provide guests with a comfortable stay while caring for the environment. We also offer in-house sustainability tours to introduce our sustainability initiatives and share our approach to responsible hospitality with as many people as possible.
One of the hotel’s spacious and stylish rooms – Photo Credit: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
We were incredibly impressed by the hotel’s overarching “5GOOD” sustainability philosophy! From upcycling kitchen scraps into agricultural fertilizer to your sourcing choices, how does this framework guide your daily operations and your relationship with the local Kyoto community?
Thank you very much. The composting initiative using our in-house compost facility is one of the efforts we value highly. To create high-quality compost, we pay close attention to what can and cannot be put into it. Additionally, during labor-intensive seasons like rice planting and harvesting, our employees visit partner farms to help out, which serves as hands-on training to deeply understand the importance and difficulty of growing rice with reduced pesticides.
Good Nature Hotel’s WELL and LEED certification awards – Photo Credit: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
As the first property globally to hold both WELL and LEED certifications, what are some of the key architectural or green energy features, such as your 100% renewable energy model or your massive courtyard green wall, that helped you achieve these strict standards?
There are several aspects of our hotel’s initiatives that were particularly highly evaluated. For example, in our courtyard, we have installed a “massive green wall” of Asiatic jasmine that recreates Kyoto’s natural vegetation, as well as a “karesansui” (dry landscape garden) in place of a water feature. Furthermore, to ensure comfortable sleep and waking, we have introduced a proprietary sleep-enhancing lighting system (which is patented) in all guest rooms. We are highly rated not only for these physical hardware aspects but also for offering a diverse range of wellness programs.
The hotel is part of the larger Good Nature Station complex, which features incredible markets, cosmetics, and restaurants. How does having all of these lifestyle spaces right downstairs enhance the overall stay for your guests?
During their stay, our guests fully enjoy the “GOOD NATURE STATION” by purchasing fruit from local producers at the first-floor market to enjoy in their rooms, or by shopping at our original sustainable cosmetics brand, “NEMOHAMO.” We also provide “NEMOHAMO” shampoos and other products as amenities in our guest rooms, so guests can test the feel and fragrance firsthand. These experiences enhance the value of our guests’ stays, which has led to high praise, including top customer reviews.
A sleek and modern room with balcony access – Photo Credit: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
Your hotel challenges traditional hospitality norms by asking guests to bring their own amenities or purchase plastic-free alternatives rather than offering standard disposables. How have travelers responded to this resource-saving initiative?
We feel that many of our guests are highly understanding of our initiatives. We hope that, little by little, bringing your own toothbrush and other amenities when traveling will become a standard norm.
Beyond standard sightseeing, your hotel offers unique guest experiences like morning yoga and local cultural workshops. What are some of the most popular activities that guests love to participate in?
At our hotel, we put a lot of effort into providing a wide variety of activities. Recently, we have been offering trendy Pilates classes in the courtyard, which have been very well received. Additionally, meditation experiences led by a visiting monk from a nearby temple are also quite popular.
An inner walkway with large glass windows at the base of the hotel – Photo Credit: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
With Kyoto navigating the challenges of high tourism traffic, how does your hotel actively support the local neighborhood and encourage visitors to explore the city responsibly?
Kyoto City has implemented a subsidy program for initiatives aimed at dispersing tourism to the mornings and evenings, and we have participated in this by organizing evening strolls carrying paper lanterns to enjoy the cool air. In this way, we keep a close eye on administrative and local trends to drive our initiatives forward.
Looking ahead, what are the next major green initiatives or eco-friendly goals your team is excited to tackle?
It has been six years since we opened. The green wall in our courtyard has grown steadily and become quite magnificent, so we would like to utilize this wall to promote the importance of biodiversity. Furthermore, we believe it is essential that our efforts are not just temporary, but that the initiatives themselves are sustainable.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Although our hotel is located in the heart of downtown Kyoto, it features a sprawling space where you can feel the blessings of nature and want to take a deep breath. Our staff enjoys participating in these initiatives that are good for both people (health) and the earth, right alongside our guests. Please be sure to stop by when you visit Kyoto.
Good Nature Station entrance – Photo Credit: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
Thank you so much for giving us a look behind the scenes of your remarkable property and sharing how hospitality can actively support the world around us. It is incredibly encouraging to see luxury and deep environmental stewardship coexist so naturally in a city as historic as Kyoto. We are certain our community will look forward to experiencing your thoughtful space firsthand during their next visit.
Read more about Good Nature Hotel Kyoto on:
Website: https://goodnaturehotels.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodnaturehotel/
Featured Photo Credit: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
