HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Obtains Forbes Travel Guide's International Sustainability Certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality'
Key facts
- HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Obtains Forbes Travel Guide's International Sustainability Certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality'
- Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Mitsui Fudosan Resort Management Co., Ltd. announced that HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has obtained the sustainability certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' from Forbes Travel Guide. Following the hotel's achievement of five stars in both the Hotel and Spa categories from the same guide in February of this year, this certification recognizes its environmental and community initiatives as being of the highest international standard.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 4, 2026
Direct answer
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Mitsui Fudosan Resort Management Co., Ltd. announced that HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has obtained the sustainability certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' from Forbes Travel Guide. Following the hotel's achievement of five stars in both the Hotel and Spa categories from the same guide in February of this year, this certification recognizes its environmental and community initiatives as being of the highest international standard.
- Citation
- HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Obtains Forbes Travel Guide's International Sustainability Certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' (June 4, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 4, 2026
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Mitsui Fudosan Resort Management Co., Ltd. announced that HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has obtained the sustainability certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' from Forbes Travel Guide. Following the hotel's achievement of five stars in both the Hotel and Spa categories from the same guide in February of this year, this certification recognizes its environmental and community initiatives as being of the highest international standard.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 00:09
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Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Shigeru Ueda) and Mitsui Fudosan Resort Management Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Wataru Sudo) are pleased to announce that HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO (https://www.hotelthemitsui.com), located in central Kyoto in front of the World Heritage site Nijo Castle (Address: 284 Nijo-aburanokoji-cho, Aburanokoji-dori Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; General Manager: Yuji Kaseda), has obtained the sustainability certification 'VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality' from Forbes Travel Guide, a global hospitality rating organization.
Following the hotel's achievement of five stars in both the Hotel and Spa categories announced by the same guide in February of this year, this certification confirms that the hotel's environmental and community initiatives are at the highest international level.
At HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, we have been promoting various sustainable initiatives while respecting Japanese nature and culture. For example, we participate in 'circular agriculture' by reusing coffee grounds discharged from the hotel as fertilizer at a farm in Kyotango, and then using the vegetables grown there in the hotel. We are also reducing our environmental impact by eliminating plastic from amenities and actively adopting locally sourced ingredients with consideration for food miles, accumulating practices for a sustainable society.
Taking this certification as a new step forward, we will continue to pursue hotel operations that lead to a sustainable future, respecting the environment and cherishing the unique beauty of Japan found in traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, under our brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY'.
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 then 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 provided 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.
■ Tableware Repaired with Kintsugi
Tableware used in the restaurants, even if broken, is repaired by Kyoto artisans using kintsugi (gold repair). This preserves traditional techniques while valuing resources through reuse.
■ Active Use of Local Ingredients
To reduce food miles, the hotel actively uses ingredients from the Kyoto region and surrounding areas. This reduces environmental impact and connects traditional flavors to the future.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide rates the world's finest hotels, restaurants, and spas using its proprietary system. Founded in 1958 as the Mobil Travel Guide, Forbes Travel Guide 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 and objective standards. The ratings, reviews, and daily travel stories published annually by Forbes Travel Guide help discerning travelers choose the world's most luxurious experiences. For more information on Forbes Travel Guide, please 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, their 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 was born 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 selected ingredients prepared by skilled chefs, and a SPA area with natural hot springs that spring up within the property. Furthermore, it was selected for the highest rating of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the 'Michelin Guide Hotel Selection' announced in October 2025. It was also ranked 46th in the world in 'The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025' and received the highest rating of '5 Stars' for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Forbes Travel Guide 2026'. Under the brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY', the hotel cherishes the unique beauty of Japan found in traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, providing all guests with special experiences and relaxation. In 2026, HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE will open in 'Hakone-Kowakudani' as a new hotel in the HOTEL THE MITSUI brand. For the latest information on HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, please visit https://www.hotelthemitsui.com.
Major Awards and Certifications
February 2026
Awarded the highest rating of 5 stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the 'Forbes Travel Guide', since becoming the first hotel in Japan to achieve 5 stars in its inaugural year of operation.
February 2026
Awarded the highest rating of 5 stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the 'Forbes Travel Guide 2026', since becoming the first hotel in Japan to achieve 5 stars in its inaugural year of operation.
February 2026
The 'Thermal Spring SPA' received 5 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 rating of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the 'Michelin Guide Hotel Selection'.
October 2025
Selected in the top 10 hotels in Japan at the '2024 Readers' Choice Awards' by Condé Nast Traveller.
May 2024
Selected for 'Travel + Leisure's 'Top 500 Hotels in the World'.
December 2023
Selected for 'The Gold List 2024' by Condé Nast Traveller as one of The Best Hotels and
Following the hotel's achievement of five stars in both the Hotel and Spa categories announced by the same guide in February of this year, this certification confirms that the hotel's environmental and community initiatives are at the highest international level.
At HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, we have been promoting various sustainable initiatives while respecting Japanese nature and culture. For example, we participate in 'circular agriculture' by reusing coffee grounds discharged from the hotel as fertilizer at a farm in Kyotango, and then using the vegetables grown there in the hotel. We are also reducing our environmental impact by eliminating plastic from amenities and actively adopting locally sourced ingredients with consideration for food miles, accumulating practices for a sustainable society.
Taking this certification as a new step forward, we will continue to pursue hotel operations that lead to a sustainable future, respecting the environment and cherishing the unique beauty of Japan found in traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, under our brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY'.
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 then 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 provided 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.
■ Tableware Repaired with Kintsugi
Tableware used in the restaurants, even if broken, is repaired by Kyoto artisans using kintsugi (gold repair). This preserves traditional techniques while valuing resources through reuse.
■ Active Use of Local Ingredients
To reduce food miles, the hotel actively uses ingredients from the Kyoto region and surrounding areas. This reduces environmental impact and connects traditional flavors to the future.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide rates the world's finest hotels, restaurants, and spas using its proprietary system. Founded in 1958 as the Mobil Travel Guide, Forbes Travel Guide 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 and objective standards. The ratings, reviews, and daily travel stories published annually by Forbes Travel Guide help discerning travelers choose the world's most luxurious experiences. For more information on Forbes Travel Guide, please 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, their 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 was born 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 selected ingredients prepared by skilled chefs, and a SPA area with natural hot springs that spring up within the property. Furthermore, it was selected for the highest rating of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the 'Michelin Guide Hotel Selection' announced in October 2025. It was also ranked 46th in the world in 'The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025' and received the highest rating of '5 Stars' for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Forbes Travel Guide 2026'. Under the brand concept 'EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY', the hotel cherishes the unique beauty of Japan found in traditional culture, architecture, crafts, and cuisine, providing all guests with special experiences and relaxation. In 2026, HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE will open in 'Hakone-Kowakudani' as a new hotel in the HOTEL THE MITSUI brand. For the latest information on HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, please visit https://www.hotelthemitsui.com.
Major Awards and Certifications
February 2026
Awarded the highest rating of 5 stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the 'Forbes Travel Guide', since becoming the first hotel in Japan to achieve 5 stars in its inaugural year of operation.
February 2026
Awarded the highest rating of 5 stars for the fifth consecutive year in the 'Hotel' category of the 'Forbes Travel Guide 2026', since becoming the first hotel in Japan to achieve 5 stars in its inaugural year of operation.
February 2026
The 'Thermal Spring SPA' received 5 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 rating of '3 Michelin Keys' for the second consecutive year in the 'Michelin Guide Hotel Selection'.
October 2025
Selected in the top 10 hotels in Japan at the '2024 Readers' Choice Awards' by Condé Nast Traveller.
May 2024
Selected for 'Travel + Leisure's 'Top 500 Hotels in the World'.
December 2023
Selected for 'The Gold List 2024' by Condé Nast Traveller as one of The Best Hotels and
FAQ
What is the address of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO?
284 Nijo-aburanokoji-cho, Aburanokoji-dori Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
What is the nearest tourist attraction?
The World Heritage site Nijo Castle is very close.
How many guest rooms does the hotel have?
It has 160 guest rooms.