Kyoto
Cultural heritage hotel with a quiet, serious aesthetic — warm natural materials, tatami in the North Wing, original Yasaka Kaikan pillars and window frames in the Heritage rooms. The vibe is deeply Gion: unhurried, restrained, and genuinely connected to the geiko and maiko world next door.
The Heritage rooms in the Main Building preserve original Yasaka Kaikan pillars and window frames — worth choosing over the modern wings if architectural history matters to you.
Why It Matters
The Yasaka Kaikan was a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property — the same building materials, including terracotta tiles, connect it architecturally to Frank Lloyd Wright's original Imperial Hotel Tokyo. The hotel sits on the grounds of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, the very stage where the annual Miyako Odori spring dances unfold. Hotel guests get exclusive seating access and complimentary entry to the adjacent Gion Kagai Art Museum.
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto opened on March 5, 2026 inside the restored Yasaka Kaikan — a 1936 theatre that sat at the heart of Gion Kobu for nearly 90 years before seismic concerns shuttered it. It is the Imperial Hotel brand's first new property in over 30 years. Fifty-five rooms across three wings (the heritage Main Building, the modern Main Building, and the North Wing) are all generously sized at 50 sqm minimum, designed by architect Tomoyuki Sakakida under the concept 'Old Is New' using Oya stone, Shiraishijima rust stone, and over 16,000 original exterior tiles preserved from the Kaikan.
Where You'll Stay
16 room types available
Grand Premier Room
56–65 sqm in the contemporary Main Building. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Kyoto views. Thoughtful modern interiors with natural material palette.
Twin / King · 60 sqm
Grand Premier Room with Balcony
64 sqm twin room in the Main Building with a private balcony. Good option for two travelers wanting separate beds and an outdoor space.
Twin · 64 sqm
Heritage Grand Premier Room
62–64 sqm heritage room. A solid entry into the Yasaka Kaikan wing, with the building's history baked into the finishes. Twin or king configuration.
Twin / King · 63 sqmHeritage Junior Suite
79 sqm heritage room in the Main Building. Preserved Yasaka Kaikan architectural details throughout. Twin or king bed options. A strong choice for anyone who wants historical atmosphere without committing to a full suite price.
Twin / King · 79 sqmHeritage Junior Suite with Balcony
100 sqm heritage room with a private balcony overlooking Gion. The balcony is the key feature here — a genuinely useful outdoor perch from which the old Kaikan architecture and the street life below come together.
Twin · 100 sqmHeritage Premier Room
53–58 sqm in the Main Building Heritage wing. Entry-level heritage room but still comfortably large by any standard. Yasaka Kaikan spirit embedded in the architecture around you.
Twin / King · 55 sqmHeritage Premier Room with Balcony
53–54 sqm with a private balcony — the most accessible way into a heritage balcony room. King bed. You're in the original Yasaka Kaikan fabric, and the balcony puts you directly in the rhythm of Gion's street life.
King · 53 sqmImperial Suite
The flagship room of the property. 128 sqm with a sweeping 65 sqm terrace facing north and east — Gion streets below, Higashiyama mountains beyond. Inside: a generous living room, mini-kitchen, and bathroom with mist sauna. You also get a private look at the Yasaka Kaikan's iconic bell tower from your terrace. Natural materials throughout.
Twin · 128 sqmJunior Suite
73 sqm contemporary room in the Main Building. The largest non-balcony standard room in the Main Building wing. Floor-to-ceiling windows, refined design that nods to Gion without replicating the heritage wing.
King · 73 sqmJunior Suite with Balcony
65 sqm in the contemporary Main Building wing. A private balcony faces the Kyoto cityscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows in this wing make a strong case on their own. King bed.
King · 65 sqm
North Wing Grand Premier Room
58–71 sqm in the newly built North Wing, designed to blend into the Gion townscape. The defining feature: an expansive tatami area. This is the closest the hotel gets to a traditional machiya (Kyoto townhouse) experience. Twin or king.
Twin / King · 64 sqmNorth Wing Premier Room
50–55 sqm tatami-floored room in the North Wing. The entry point for the Japanese-style retreat experience. Serene and quiet. King bed only.
King · 52 sqmPenthouse Suite
Top-floor suite with an open layout and 15 sqm terrace. Sweeping views of Kyoto's cityscape. More intimate than the Imperial Suite but still a serious amount of space for Kyoto.
King · 95 sqmPremier Room
54–55 sqm. Entry-level in the Main Building wing but still a proper size. Contemporary interiors, intimate Gion views through well-proportioned windows.
Twin / King · 54 sqmSuite
Located in the Main Building Heritage area. These rooms blend modern design with surviving Yasaka Kaikan elements — original window frames and pillars remain intact. 101–104 sqm, available in twin or king configuration.
Twin / King · 102 sqmYasaka Suite
Named directly after the Yasaka Kaikan and positioned to overlook the main gate of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. Contemporary design meets the landmark's heritage. One of the three Signature Suites, which sit at the top of the room hierarchy.
Twin · 103 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A special Japanese breakfast crafted by the proprietor of Gion Kawakami, exclusively for hotel residents. Designed to reflect the mastery and seasonal beauty of Kyoto at its most serene — as the city wakes up around you.
Complimentary access for hotel guests to the Gion Kagai Art Museum, situated directly next door. The museum traces 300 years of aesthetic legacy from Gion, Japan's most famous kagai (geisha district). Run by the Yasaka Nyokoba Gakuen Educational Foundation. Check official museum site for current opening hours.
A hands-on encounter with the Imperial Doll — a traditional craft form historically reserved for Japanese nobility, described as expressing 'innocent beauty.' A rare artisan experience curated by the hotel.
A permanent installation in the lobby showcasing rare historical artifacts, photographs, and archives tracing the life of the Yasaka Kaikan building. Free to all visitors and guests. A thoughtful bridge between the original theatre and today's hotel.
The hotel shares grounds with the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, where the famous Miyako Odori spring dance performances take place in April each year. The hotel offers insider access to exclusive seating, with pre-theater tea ceremony options. A 150-year-old Kyoto tradition featuring Geiko and Maiko performers in signature pale-blue kimonos.
A curated private moment with a Maiko in one of Gion's historic teahouses, arranged exclusively for hotel guests. A genuinely rare experience — most teahouses in Gion are closed to the general public. Access is through the hotel's connections to the Gion Kobu district.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
In-room dining available for staying guests.
A private lounge exclusively for hotel guests. Personalized check-in over plush sofas, welcome tea, and seasonal Kyoto confectionery. In the morning: light refreshments including bread and seasonal fruit. In the afternoon: hotel-made sweets. Not accessible to non-guests.
In-room WiFi with speeds of 500+ Mbps — sufficient for 6+ simultaneous users or 10+ devices.
The hotel joined The Leading Hotels of the World as of April 2025. LHW Leaders Club members earn points and privileges across the property.
Free loyalty program for Imperial Hotel properties. Members receive exclusive complimentary or discount coupons, early access to dining reservations, and seasonal announcements. Apply online with no charge.
Valet parking for staying guests with advance reservation. Spaces are limited — contact the reservations team ahead of arrival. Non-resident guests should use nearby public coin parking facilities, which are not affiliated with the hotel.
17.5m x 4.5m lap pool at 1.0m depth, located on Lower Level One. Open 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last entry 9:30 PM). Complimentary for staying guests. Swimwear and caps available for rent; goggles available to purchase. Children under 16 require guardian accompaniment.
Thermal bathing area on Lower Level One, part of the wellness floor alongside the pool and fitness gym. Complimentary for staying guests. Hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
24-hour fitness center on Lower Level One. Complimentary for all staying guests. Note: staff are not continuously on site.
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