THE THOUSAND KYOTO (ザ・サウザンド京都), a flagship hotel of the Keihan Group located near Kyoto Station in Shimogyo-ku, has completed its first honey harvest of the 2026 season. The harvest took place on April 20 (Monday) and marks the sixth year of the hotel's ongoing Urban Beekeeping Project. Starting June 1 (Monday), the freshly harvested "THOUSAND HONEY 2026" will be featured in a new dessert at the hotel's café and bar, TEA AND BAR.
About the Honey
The honey gathered from the rooftop hives is a polyfloral honey (百花蜜, hyakka-mitsu), produced from nectar that the bees collect from a wide variety of flowers and trees. Western honeybees typically forage within a 2 to 3 km radius, meaning the honey is thought to draw from parks, temples and shrines, and home gardens in the area surrounding Kyoto Station.
The hotel has been raising honeybees on its rooftop since May 2021, with the aim of contributing to biodiversity conservation. The honey serves as a byproduct and is used as a locally sourced ingredient in the hotel's restaurants, as well as being sold in jars for guests to take home.
Comment from the Urban Beekeeping Project Team
Marina Wada, a project member and certified advisor of the Honey Meister Association in the Sales & Marketing Department, commented:
"It has been three months since the bees began their activity alongside the blooming of the plum blossoms, having safely made it through the harsh winter. The bees have been steadily gathering nectar and producing honey. In recent years, Kyoto's summers have brought record-breaking heat waves, which can disrupt the bees' activity and limit the harvest period — making the honey more precious with each passing year. We look forward to sharing 'this year's flavor,' gathered with great care, with everyone."
Honey Croissant Brûlée – Available from June 1
A flaky croissant made with fermented butter is topped with rich vanilla ice cream and finished with a drizzle of THOUSAND HONEY, creating an indulgent sweet treat.
Note: Do not serve to children under 1 year of age.
- Available from: June 1, 2026 (Monday) – while THOUSAND HONEY 2026 stocks last
- Location: 2F Café & Bar "TEA AND BAR"
- Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM (L.O.)
- Price: Single item ¥1,600 / Drink set ¥2,700
- Drink set reservations accepted until noon the day before
- Inquiries: TEL 075-351-0700 (Restaurant general inquiries, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
Prices include 15% service charge and consumption tax. Menu content and ingredients are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Urban Beekeeping Project Overview
- Started: May 25, 2021
- Location: Rooftop of THE THOUSAND KYOTO
- Species: Western honeybee (Apis mellifera)
- Scale: 3 hives (approximately 40,000 bees, as of May 2026)
The project raises honeybees — which play a meaningful role in biodiversity conservation — on the hotel rooftop, and utilizes the harvested honey as a locally sourced food ingredient served in the hotel's restaurants and sold to guests. Honeybees are vital for plant reproduction, carrying pollen from flower to flower as they gather nectar, and many cultivated crops are said to depend on their activity. The project also connects to broader sustainability goals, such as supporting plant growth that contributes to carbon absorption and the maintenance of ecosystems.
