Imperial Hotel in Kyoto is situated within the Gion district, offering 55 rooms along with a spa, swimming pool, bar, and two dining establishments.
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto
- The sitting area, filled with rich wood and stone accents, features a glass wall that offers a view of a Japanese garden.
- Ren, a counter-style fine-dining establishment, offers a monthly changing menu that reinterprets regional ingredients with a French approach.
- The hotel maintains close connections with influential figures in Gion, allowing the staff to assist in securing difficult-to-reserve restaurant reservations or tea house ceremonies.
- Encircled by large rocks from Shikoku Island, the elegant underground spa pool gives the impression of a hidden cave.
I checked into the Imperial Hotel, Kyototwo weeks before its official opening on March 5. The hotel revives Kyoto’s historic Yasaka Kaikan theater, located in the heart of Gion, as a luxurious accommodation.
In 1936, the construction of the performance space was supported by local geishas and their trainees. The structure continues to exist adjacent to Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō,Kyoto’s leading geisha theater, and the Gion geisha school, on property owned by the institution. Although recognized as a nationally registeredTangible Cultural Property, the theater eventually became dilapidated. When Gion’s geisha community felt the building should be used for a different kind of hospitality, they contacted the Imperial Hotel.
The Gion district is enigmatic, even to the Japanese. It’s revered,” says Reiko Sakata, the hotel’s general manager. “[As a hotel brand], we have a 135-year history in Japan, and the people in Gion are aware of that. They [invited] our hotel to be here, and we are very thankful.
Architect and designer Tomoyuki Sakakida focused on maintaining the theater’s exterior. With Kyoto City enforcing a 40-foot height limit for new buildings in the area, preserving the Yasaka Kaikan’s 100-foot height ensured unique and completely unblocked views from guest rooms and the rooftop. Each exterior tile was taken off and examined individually. Currently, roughly 10 percent are original; the remaining ones have been recreated.
The hotel also represents the Imperial Hotel’s first opening in 30 years, which created a sense of high anticipation during my stay before it officially opened. The staff was outstanding, remembering my preference for decaf coffee in the afternoon or inquiring about my daily routines based on our earlier discussions. On my second day, the hotel’s concierge team took me to a tea house near Gion’s picturesque Hanamikoji Street to meet with amaiko, or an apprentice geisha, overwagashiconfectionery and matcha tea.
Below, my complete review of Imperial Hotel, Kyoto.
The Rooms
Inside the Junior Suite. Credit: Imperial Hotel |
Spectacular vistas of Kyoto from the balcony of the Imperial Suite. Credit: Imperial Hotel |
The Kyoto Imperial Hotel features 55 guest rooms and suites, each offering different vistas. What connects them is their common heritage and the design elements that highlight regional materials, including cedar headboards, soft silk wall coverings, zelkova wood shelves, and bedside lamps that resemble traditional Japanese lanterns. Certain suites contain framed artifacts from the Yasakai Kaikan.
A 1,108-square-foot Yasaka Suite featuring warm wood and green tones captivated me with its original architectural elements, while the Imperial Suite offers a large terrace complete with a private tatami gazebo. Additional guest rooms and suites are divided into three types: Heritage or modern rooms in the main building of the former theater, or tatami rooms in the newly built North Wing.
Although many guest rooms in the main structure provide glimpses of Gion’s tea houses, the ones in the North Wing give the impression that you’re actually inside one. I stayed in room 101, a North Wing Grand Premier room, where fragrant wood floorboards led to a spacious tatami bedroom. Near the window, sunlight passed through woven bamboo shades onto a low seating area with a slanted wooden ceiling.
Guests who desire more natural illumination might opt for a room on a higher floor in the main structure. I also stayed overnight in room 506, where expansive windows allowed for a gentle breeze and sunlight, while highlighting the curved ceramic rooftops beneath. Approximately 592 square feet, this Premier room had a somewhat smaller area, yet it still offers sufficient space for two people or an individual.
Food and Drink
Chefs working in the Yasaka kitchen. Credit: Imperial Hotel |
A bartender preparing a drink at the Old Imperial Bar. Credit: Imperial Hotel |
The Imperial Hotel in Kyoto features two dining establishments and a bar: Yasaka, offering meals throughout the day, Ren specializing in French cuisine, and the Old Imperial Bar, known for its sophisticated cocktails prepared with great attention to detail. “We don’t require a Japanese restaurant since visitors here already possess an understanding of Japanese food and culture,” Sakata explains.
At Ren, executive chef Koji Imajo applies French methods to create dishes primarily using locally sourced ingredients determined by the season.Japan’s 24 solar terms. Although Ren’s menus won’t be vegetarian by default, Imajo swiftly and expertly developed a plant-based menu for me. I tried a rapeseed blossom cake, roasted Shiitake mushrooms, and soft garlic shoots. The mugwort brioche, accompanied by butter that resembled a raspberry, was delightful. The cozy atmosphere—10 counter seats—enables Imajo and his team to engage with guests as they prepare and present the dishes, enhancing the overall experience.
The Terrace is a stylish, exclusive open-air bar that will serve a light menu during the warmer seasons.
The Spa
Although the spa menu, featuring Oskia skincare products, was still being completed during my visit, I enjoyed a peaceful hour-long session that combined dry shiatsu methods with a soothing aromatherapy oil massage.
The pool on the basement wellness level is the standout feature. Sakakida created an experience of swimming in a cave. Dark-colored loungers placed on dark stone floors blend into the shadows. The pool is surrounded by 1.5-ton irregularly shaped rocks obtained from Shikoku Island.
As of my visit, the gym, steam room, dry sauna, and Japanese soaking tubs were still closed.
Accessibility
The hotel offers one specially designed accessible guest room equipped with lower handles, an adjustable bed, and grab bars in the bathroom. The shower area includes a small platform.
Elevators were added during the restoration of the historic structure. A public restroom that is accessible for wheelchairs is also located on the restaurant level.
How to Book
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, is part ofLeading Hotels of the World(LHW), where visitors can accumulateLeaders Club pointswhich can be exchanged for free nights at any of the collection’s 400+ locations. LHW member benefits also feature a daily continental breakfast for two, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability), free Wi-Fi, and preference for room upgrades when checking in.
Nightly rates at Imperial Hotel, Kyotobegin at 164,500 yen (approximately $1,075).
Every T+L hotel review is authored by an editor or reporter who has personally stayed at the establishment, and each hotel chosen meets our standards.core values.
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