Published date: October 23, 2024
Galleria Nijo Castle: A Gourmet Hotel Recommended for Anniversaries!
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
I stayed at the new Banyan Group brand “Galleria Nijo Castle” through HafH! It is a small luxury hotel with 25 rooms located in front of Nijo Castle in Kyoto.
When staying at Galleria Nijo Castle for the first time, you might be curious about what kind of hotel it is... (We felt the same way!)
The conclusion is that the food is incredibly delicious, and it is a hotel recommended for anniversaries.
The staff's attentiveness was also amazing, allowing us to relax both mentally and physically.
【Reservation Details】
We booked a Deluxe Twin with dinner and breakfast included through HafH.
【Check-in】
You can enjoy welcome tea and snacks. That day, we had Uji tea and sweet rice crackers.
【Interior】
The lobby features a bamboo garden, creating a space reminiscent of a Zen art museum. The basalt table reflected the garden beautifully.
The room had a modern Japanese interior, impressive with its red and black lacquer. From the living space with tatami mats, you can enjoy the greenery of Nijo Castle.
【Amenities】
The amenities are pre-set in the room. There are a variety of requestable amenities, including a “singing bowl.”
【Dinner】
Dinner is an innovative French course at the restaurant “Shinzo -Singular-.” The appetizer “Hako Niwa” was a beautifully crafted dish resembling a flower garden, and the delicious soy milk sauce from Chiyo Tofu Shop was superb.
The fish dish of the day was grilled tachiuo, which was quite hearty.
For the main course, a shichirin (grill) appeared next to the table, and grilling generous cuts of duck filled the air with an exquisite aroma!
Although it was a course meal, there were many elements of Japanese flavors, and we thoroughly enjoyed it until the end.
【Breakfast】
Breakfast is also served at the restaurant “Shinzo -Singular-.” You can choose between two types of set menus: Japanese cuisine or well-being options, with a selection of side dishes and mains.
The Japanese menu featured tofu from Kyoto's Chiyo Tofu Shop, and boiled eggs from Uji free-range chickens, as well as braised pork from Doro pigs.
The grilled fish, served piping hot that day, was sweetfish with a fluffy texture that was outstanding.
The well-being option included three types of smoothies, a salad made with Kyoto vegetables, organic granola from COCOLO Kyoto, and chicken breast from Tanba, among other healthy offerings.
The sweetness and umami of the organic vegetables from Kyoto were incredible!
【Overall Assessment】
Both the room and dining experience exceeded expectations in terms of value! It is recommended to book it in the middle of your journey as it provides easy access to the Arashiyama area. For those who want to celebrate an anniversary with delicious food, this place is a must-visit.
Experiences during the trip
I stayed at Galleria Nijo Castle on the second night of my 4-night, 5-day trip to Kyoto. (The first night was at DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station, the third night at Le Fouquet's Kyoto, and the fourth night at Noa Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto). This Kyoto trip was all booked through the travel subscription HafH!
After checking out of our previous hotel, we moved to Galleria. It took just 14 minutes by subway from Kyoto Station to Galleria (about a 1-minute walk from "Nijo Castle Mae" station on the Tozai Line). We dropped off our luggage at the hotel, completed the check-in, and headed out to explore Koryuji Temple!
It turned out that Koryuji Temple was quite close to our hotel, only about 25 minutes by subway and Arashiyama tram, so I recommend visiting. The Miroku Bodhisattva statue at Koryuji Temple is Japan's first national treasure, and it has a gentle face.
After returning to the hotel to refresh, we enjoyed a leisurely dinner. The wine pairing with four glasses was less than 10,000 yen, so it wasn’t too expensive.
After dinner, we took a stroll while admiring the lights of the former Nijo Castle and gazed at the full moon, enjoying some relaxation time. Perhaps thanks to the effects of the singing bowl, I slept soundly!
In the morning, I took a walk to Shinsen-en, just a one-minute walk from the hotel, before breakfast. At the large pond of the dragon god, there were ducks and geese, which brought me joy from the morning!
Anyway, the food was delicious, and this is a recommended hotel for those who want to spend an anniversary in Kyoto. It's rare to find a hotel providing both dinner and breakfast through HafH, so definitely consider booking it! I hope this story serves as a reference for your travels. If you liked it, please support us with a good button!