Imperial Hotel has announced it will open a new property in Kyoto’s Gion district on 5 March 2026, marking the brand’s first new hotel in three decades. Reservations officially opened this week (17 November).
The hotel will operate within the Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property, which has been refurbished to retain key architectural features while adding contemporary fittings. The site dates back around 90 years and sits close to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theatre.
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The property will offer 55 rooms across three connected areas: the Main Building – Heritage, the Main Building, and the North Wing. The North Wing will introduce tatami flooring under the Imperial Hotel brand for the first time, while the Heritage area will retain original beams, pillars and window frames from the Yasaka Kaikan.
Rooms will span five categories, from premier rooms of around 538 to 764 square feet to signature suites measuring between about 1,022 and 1,377 square feet. The top suites will overlook either the Gion streets or nearby mountains and will use natural materials including cedar, washi paper and textiles produced for the hotel.
Suites in the Heritage area will include restored wooden structures and window frames, alongside relatively modern interiors. Junior suites, ranging from 699 to 1,076 sq ft, will reflect their wing’s character, offering views either towards the mountains or the roofline of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo.
Among other facilities, the hotel will include restaurants, a bar and a spa with a pool and gym. The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto joined the Leading Hotels of the World consortium in April 2025.
Reiko Sakata, general manager of Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, said: “Our vision for the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is to create a space where guests from around the world can experience the essence of Kyoto – its beauty, its traditions, and its spirit – while enjoying the highest standards of comfort and service.”
