K36 The Bar & Rooftop

K36 The Bar & Rooftop is the bar of The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu, which occupies the converted buildings of a former school on the slopes of Higashiyama, a short walk from Kiyomizu-dera. The bar takes up part of the old school building, while the rooftop terrace above gives open views across the tiled roofs and temples of the historic district, one of the few places in old Kyoto where you can drink with a view over the city.

Indoors, the bar offers a selection of rare whiskies, aged spirits and wines alongside carefully made cocktails, and it is suited to a light meal, an aperitif before dinner or a nightcap. The rooftop is the main draw at sunset, when the light falls across Higashiyama and the city lights come on below. Access to the rooftop depends on the weather, so in rain or strong wind you may be seated inside instead.

There is a clear dress code of smart casual: shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, sandals and very casual clothing are not permitted, so dress accordingly if you are coming straight from sightseeing. The bar itself is for guests aged 20 and over. Before 17:00, under-20s may use the rooftop only with an adult, and after 17:00 junior high school students and older may visit with adult supervision, while younger children are not admitted.

Opening hours and dates on which reservations are not possible are published on the hotel's website, and the hotel offers a bookable rooftop experience package. The terrace is popular at sunset, especially in the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons, so check availability and consider arriving before dusk. Prices are those of a luxury hotel bar, which reflects the setting. It suits couples and anyone marking an occasion.

The hotel is in the lanes between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, close to Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka and Yasaka Pagoda, so the bar makes a natural end to an afternoon spent walking through Higashiyama. Keihan Gion-Shijo and Kiyomizu-Gojo stations are both about 15 to 20 minutes away on foot, and taxis can reach the hotel, although the narrow surrounding lanes become very busy in the daytime.