Opening Spring 2026: Imperial Hotel, Kyoto Offers Glimpse of Its Exquisite Guestrooms
Imperial Hotel, Ltd. will begin accepting room reservations for the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, this autumn, with a total of 55 rooms across three distinct areas, each offering an unrivaled guest experience shaped by their architectural styles and locations.
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is a luxury establishment for a new era, coexisting with the special, extraordinary world view unique to the ancient capital’s Gion entertainment district and the Imperial Hotel’s concept of comfort, while pursuing authentic Japanese culture and providing the finest in products as well as services to guests from Kyoto, across Japan and around the world. Inheriting the architectural design of the Yasaka Kaikan, the hotel will offer an immersive experience in harmony with the rich culture and landscape of Gion and the Higashiyama Mountains.
The guestrooms are spread across three areas, each defined by its architectural styles: Preservation, Renovation, and Extension. The most exclusive suite will feature one-of-a-kind spaces, such as a terrace overlooking the Higashiyama Mountains and an up-close view of the Yasaka Kaikan gazebo. The interior design, which respects the climate, culture, and architectural sensibility of Kyoto, was created by architect Mr. Tomoyuki Sakakida (New Material Research Laboratory). New Material Research Laboratory’s philosophy is based on the concept of “the old is new,” which aims to inherit the historical and traditional values of the hotel.
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto Guestroom Areas Overview
The hotel will consist of two structures: the main building, which will preserve and renovate the historic Yasaka Kaikan, and the north wing extension. Guestrooms are spread across three areas characterized by these different architectural styles and locations.
After exploring both the hotel and the city, guests return to rooms designed to provide warmth, accessibility, and comfort. The windows offer views of the Gion townscape, the grand roof of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, Geiko and Maiko school, and the buildings handed down from the past. The room setting incorporates the thoughtfulness and lifestyle of Kyoto throughout the seasons, and timeless elegance — providing an authentic experience of being surrounded by the spirit of Gion.
Guestrooms in the newly built section are designed to blend in with the streetscape of traditional wooden townhouses, while respecting the height limit (12 meters / 40 feet) in the Gion-machi south side district where the Yasaka Kaikan is located. Guests can enjoy the harmony of contemporary design and classical architectural charm, enhanced by refined Japanese tatami-mat flooring, and embraced by the serene atmosphere of Gion. This is the first guestroom with Japanese tatami mats under the Imperial Hotel brand.
The guestrooms in this area face the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo and Hanamikoji. The pillars, beam structures, and window frames still retain traces of the Yasaka Kaikan, and some rooms have balconies that immerse guests in the extraordinary feeling of being in the heart of Gion, with the atmosphere of the Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered tangible cultural property, in its original form.
While faithfully retaining the architectural silhouette of the Yasaka Kaikan, the overall design is modern, and the expansive windows offer views that gently shift from the tranquil atmosphere of early morning to the enchanting glow of lanterns at night.
Located in the renovated area, Imperial Suite features stunning views from balconies on both the north and east sides. Guests can enjoy views of Gion, the historic tea house district, the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, and the Higashiyama Mountains. Unforgettable experiences will be provided in the gazebo — an iconic feature of the Yasaka Kaikan. The suite also features thoughtfully curated furnishings and materials that reflect Kyoto’s legacy, offering a one-of-a-kind immersive experience only possible at the Imperial Hotel.
