Upon opening in spring 2026, the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is poised to usher in a new chapter for one of Japan’s most storied hospitality brands.
The 55-room boutique property, located in the city’s Gion district, occupies the former Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered tangible cultural property originally built in 1936.
The project brings together two architectural partners: Obayashi Corporation, which handled the building’s structural restoration and façade revival, and architect Tomoyuki Sakakida of New Material Research Laboratory, who shaped the interiors with a poetic eye focused on materiality, tradition, and Kyoto’s quiet sensibility.
Restoring a cultural landmark
The restoration of the Yasaka Kaikan is a story of continuity: Obayashi Corporation was responsible for the original construction nearly 90 years ago.
Overseen by Masahiro Inoue, executive manager of architectural design, the team applied modern structural techniques while maintaining the building’s historical essence. Fragile terracotta ornamentation was recreated using advanced 3D scanning, and approximately 10 percent of the original decorative tiles were carefully salvaged and reinstalled.
“Some parts retain their 88-year-old look, while others use 88-year-old preserved materials,” says Inoue. “The building significantly weaves together an aesthetic sense and preserved memories. That was our top priority.”
Old is new at the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto
“Kyoto cherishes old things but also embraces new culture,” says Sakakida. “That contrast is the soul of this project.”
Drawing on natural materials such as Japanese marble, Ōya stone, and Tamina-ishi, the spaces reflect the local climate and craft culture while evoking a sense of restraint and refinement.
“Now, more than a century after the advent of modernism, there seems to be a certain sense of stagnation in the air, and a renewed appreciation for the old is taking hold,” he continues. “That, I believe, is why the concept of ‘old is new’ is resonating with people.”
Renovation guestroom
Three distinct guestroom styles
Each of the 55 guestrooms offers a unique encounter with Kyoto’s history and spirit, categorized into three stylistic expressions: Extension, Preservation, and Renovation.
- Extension: Located in a new north wing, Extension guestrooms reference the scale and silhouette of the surrounding machiya townhouses, adhering to Gion’s strict 40-feet height limit. Inside, a modern Japanese aesthetic takes hold with natural tatami mat flooring, handmade textures, and a neutral palette that recall the tenets of wabi-sabi. These rooms feel meditative, grounded in simplicity and tactile calm.
- Preservation: Facing the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater along Hanamikoji Street, guestrooms in the Preservation area retain the original beams, pillars, and window frames of the Yasaka Kaikan. Balconies overlook the theater grounds, where guests might hear the distant sounds of shamisen and kouta music, anchoring them in place and time.
- Renovation: Renovation guestrooms reside within the original ’36 massing and silhouette, interpreted with a minimalist layout and modern material palette. Wide-framed views capture the changing light over the Higashiyama ridgeline, while surfaces incorporate Yakusugi cedar, brushed metal, and locally fired ceramics. These rooms speak in quiet contrast—simultaneously historic and present.
The signature Imperial Suite
Anchoring the Renovation area, the 2,077-square-foot Imperial Suite is a sculptural composition of architecture, craft, and history.
An expansive master bedroom connects to a sprawling terrace and includes exclusive access to the original rooftop gazebo. Inside, custom furnishings, curated artwork, and hand-applied copper roofing details reflect the hotel’s commitment to understated luxury and cultural depth.
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is slated for construction completion this October and will officially welcome guests in spring 2026. It joined the Leading Hotels of the World collection in April 2025.
Imperial Suite
Extension guestroom
Preservation guestroom
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