In August, a new player entered the hotel scene in Kyoto: Banyan Tree Higashiyama ... Japanese performance art dating back to the 14th century, where performers wear masks and costumes to sing ...

Upon crossing the hotel’s temple-like wooden threshold, the mood shifts– with panels of intricately woven hikihaku foil reflecting shades of the sun, crafted by century-old Kyoto artisans Nishimura ...