HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Obtains 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' Sustainability Certification from Forbes Travel Guide
Key facts
- HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Obtains 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' Sustainability Certification from Forbes Travel Guide
- HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has obtained the 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' sustainability certification from Forbes Travel Guide. Following its five-star rating in both hotel and spa categories in February 2026, this certification recognizes the hotel's environmental and community initiatives as meeting the highest international standards.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 4, 2026
Direct answer
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has obtained the 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' sustainability certification from Forbes Travel Guide. Following its five-star rating in both hotel and spa categories in February 2026, this certification recognizes the hotel's environmental and community initiatives as meeting the highest international standards.
- Citation
- HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Obtains 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' Sustainability Certification from Forbes Travel Guide (June 4, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 4, 2026
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has obtained the 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' sustainability certification from Forbes Travel Guide. Following its five-star rating in both hotel and spa categories in February 2026, this certification recognizes the hotel's environmental and community initiatives as meeting the highest international standards.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 00:00
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HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO (https://www.hotelthemitsui.com), located in front of the World Heritage site Nijo Castle in central Kyoto (address: 284 Nijo-Aburakoji-cho, Aburakoji-dori Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; General Manager: Yoshi Kaseta), has obtained the 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' sustainability certification from Forbes Travel Guide, the world-renowned hospitality rating organization.
Following the announcement in February of this year that the hotel had achieved five-star ratings in both the 'Hotel' and 'Spa' categories, this certification confirms that the hotel's environmental and community initiatives are at the highest international level.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has been promoting various sustainable initiatives in harmony with Japan's nature and culture. Examples include participating in 'circular agriculture' where used coffee grounds from the hotel are reused as fertilizer at a farm in Kyotango, and the vegetables grown there are used in the hotel; reducing environmental impact through plastic-free amenities; and actively adopting locally sourced ingredients to minimize food miles. These practices contribute to a sustainable society.
Taking this certification as a new step forward, the hotel will continue to pursue operations that lead to a sustainable future, respecting the environment and cherishing the unique beauty of Japan found in its traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, under its brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY.'
https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/ja/kyoto/news/vrh
Examples of Sustainable Initiatives
■ Food Cycle with Partner Farm
In collaboration with a partner farm in Kyotango, used coffee grounds from the hotel are dried and used as fertilizer. The pesticide-free vegetables grown there are purchased by the hotel and used in breakfast menus and various dishes at the restaurants.
■ Consideration for Plastic Reduction
To reduce single-use plastics, the hotel has introduced environmentally friendly amenities such as toothbrushes made from natural bamboo and mineral water served in aluminum cans.
■ Reuse of Food Waste and Used Oil
Food waste generated within the hotel is composted into fertilizer and used for local agriculture. Used oil is recycled into soap, contributing to waste reduction and a circular society.
■ Vessels Repaired with Kintsugi
Dishes used in the restaurants, even if broken, are repaired by Kyoto artisans using the traditional Kintsugi technique. This preserves traditional craftsmanship while valuing resources through reuse.
■ Active Use of Local Ingredients
To reduce food miles, the hotel actively uses ingredients primarily from the Kyoto region. This reduces environmental impact while preserving traditional flavors for the future.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide rates luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas worldwide using its proprietary system. Founded in 1958 as the Mobil Travel Guide, it was the first to introduce a five-star rating system in the United States. Today, Forbes Travel Guide's anonymous inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on 900 rigorous, objective standards. The ratings, reviews, and daily travel stories published annually by Forbes Travel Guide help discerning travelers choose the most luxurious experiences in the world. For more information, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
About 'Responsible Hospitality'
Forbes Travel Guide's 'Responsible Hospitality' was designed in collaboration with Hervé Houdré, a highly respected hotelier in the field of sustainability. It certifies luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas that are committed to environmental protection and social contribution without compromising the guest experience. This certification creates a global standard for the world's finest hotels, providing reliable information to guests and travel advisors.
About HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO opened on November 3, 2020, on the site of the former residence of the Mitsui head family, which existed for over 250 years near Nijo Castle. The hotel features 160 guest rooms crafted from carefully selected natural materials and artisan techniques, three restaurants and bars offering carefully sourced ingredients prepared by exceptional chefs, and a spa area with natural hot springs that rise from within the property. In October 2025, it was selected for the highest honor of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection. It was also ranked 46th in the world in 'The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025' and received the highest rating of 'Five Stars' for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Forbes Travel Guide 2026.' Under its brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY,' the hotel cherishes the unique beauty of Japan found in traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, offering all guests a special experience and relaxation. In 2026, HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE will open in Hakone-Kowakudani as a new hotel under the HOTEL THE MITSUI brand. For the latest information on HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, please visit www.hotelthemitsui.com.
Major Awards and Certifications
February 2026: Awarded five stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the Forbes Travel Guide, having been the first hotel in Japan to achieve five stars in its initial inspection year.
February 2026: Awarded five stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the Forbes Travel Guide 2026, having been the first hotel in Japan to achieve five stars in its initial inspection year.
February 2026: The 'Thermal Spring SPA' received five stars in the 'Spa' category of the Forbes Travel Guide 2026.
October 2025: Selected for 'The World's 50 Best Hotels'.
October 2025: Awarded the highest honor of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection.
October 2024: Selected in the top 10 hotels in Japan in Condé Nast Traveller's '2024 Readers' Choice Awards'.
May 2024: Selected for Travel + Leisure's 'Top 500 Hotels in the World'.
December 2023: Selected as one of 'The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World' in Condé Nast Traveller's 'The Gold List 2024'.
July 2023: Selected for Travel + Leisure's 'World's Best Hotels'.
Following the announcement in February of this year that the hotel had achieved five-star ratings in both the 'Hotel' and 'Spa' categories, this certification confirms that the hotel's environmental and community initiatives are at the highest international level.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has been promoting various sustainable initiatives in harmony with Japan's nature and culture. Examples include participating in 'circular agriculture' where used coffee grounds from the hotel are reused as fertilizer at a farm in Kyotango, and the vegetables grown there are used in the hotel; reducing environmental impact through plastic-free amenities; and actively adopting locally sourced ingredients to minimize food miles. These practices contribute to a sustainable society.
Taking this certification as a new step forward, the hotel will continue to pursue operations that lead to a sustainable future, respecting the environment and cherishing the unique beauty of Japan found in its traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, under its brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY.'
https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/ja/kyoto/news/vrh
Examples of Sustainable Initiatives
■ Food Cycle with Partner Farm
In collaboration with a partner farm in Kyotango, used coffee grounds from the hotel are dried and used as fertilizer. The pesticide-free vegetables grown there are purchased by the hotel and used in breakfast menus and various dishes at the restaurants.
■ Consideration for Plastic Reduction
To reduce single-use plastics, the hotel has introduced environmentally friendly amenities such as toothbrushes made from natural bamboo and mineral water served in aluminum cans.
■ Reuse of Food Waste and Used Oil
Food waste generated within the hotel is composted into fertilizer and used for local agriculture. Used oil is recycled into soap, contributing to waste reduction and a circular society.
■ Vessels Repaired with Kintsugi
Dishes used in the restaurants, even if broken, are repaired by Kyoto artisans using the traditional Kintsugi technique. This preserves traditional craftsmanship while valuing resources through reuse.
■ Active Use of Local Ingredients
To reduce food miles, the hotel actively uses ingredients primarily from the Kyoto region. This reduces environmental impact while preserving traditional flavors for the future.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide rates luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas worldwide using its proprietary system. Founded in 1958 as the Mobil Travel Guide, it was the first to introduce a five-star rating system in the United States. Today, Forbes Travel Guide's anonymous inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on 900 rigorous, objective standards. The ratings, reviews, and daily travel stories published annually by Forbes Travel Guide help discerning travelers choose the most luxurious experiences in the world. For more information, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
About 'Responsible Hospitality'
Forbes Travel Guide's 'Responsible Hospitality' was designed in collaboration with Hervé Houdré, a highly respected hotelier in the field of sustainability. It certifies luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas that are committed to environmental protection and social contribution without compromising the guest experience. This certification creates a global standard for the world's finest hotels, providing reliable information to guests and travel advisors.
About HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO opened on November 3, 2020, on the site of the former residence of the Mitsui head family, which existed for over 250 years near Nijo Castle. The hotel features 160 guest rooms crafted from carefully selected natural materials and artisan techniques, three restaurants and bars offering carefully sourced ingredients prepared by exceptional chefs, and a spa area with natural hot springs that rise from within the property. In October 2025, it was selected for the highest honor of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection. It was also ranked 46th in the world in 'The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025' and received the highest rating of 'Five Stars' for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Forbes Travel Guide 2026.' Under its brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY,' the hotel cherishes the unique beauty of Japan found in traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, offering all guests a special experience and relaxation. In 2026, HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE will open in Hakone-Kowakudani as a new hotel under the HOTEL THE MITSUI brand. For the latest information on HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, please visit www.hotelthemitsui.com.
Major Awards and Certifications
February 2026: Awarded five stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the Forbes Travel Guide, having been the first hotel in Japan to achieve five stars in its initial inspection year.
February 2026: Awarded five stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the Forbes Travel Guide 2026, having been the first hotel in Japan to achieve five stars in its initial inspection year.
February 2026: The 'Thermal Spring SPA' received five stars in the 'Spa' category of the Forbes Travel Guide 2026.
October 2025: Selected for 'The World's 50 Best Hotels'.
October 2025: Awarded the highest honor of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection.
October 2024: Selected in the top 10 hotels in Japan in Condé Nast Traveller's '2024 Readers' Choice Awards'.
May 2024: Selected for Travel + Leisure's 'Top 500 Hotels in the World'.
December 2023: Selected as one of 'The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World' in Condé Nast Traveller's 'The Gold List 2024'.
July 2023: Selected for Travel + Leisure's 'World's Best Hotels'.
FAQ
What is the nearest station to this hotel?
Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line is the nearest.
When was the certification announced?
The specific announcement date is not stated in the article.
How many rooms does the hotel have?
The hotel has 160 rooms.