Newly Opened: Imperial Hotel in Kyoto Redefines Luxury

By Kristen Oliveri

The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto recently opened its doors in early March, while introducing a more intimate vision of luxury in Japan’s former capital. Set within the restored Yasaka Kaikan in Gion, the 55-room property blends preserved 1930s architecture with understated contemporary design and places its culinary offerings at the center of the guest experience.

The hotel occupies the former Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property originally built in 1936. Rather than dramatically altering the structure, the renovation preserves its architectural integrity while introducing restrained, contemporary interiors.

Materials such as Ōya stone, Japanese marble, tatami flooring and detailed woodwork anchor the hotel in Kyoto’s craft traditions. Guest rooms and public spaces follow a muted palette of warm woods, soft neutrals, and subtle metallic accents, allowing natural light and seasonal changes to shape the atmosphere.

Dining at the Center

The culinary program defines the hotel’s identity, with four distinct venues: Ren, Yasaka, Old Imperial Bar and The Rooftop. Here’s a glimpse into each:

REN

With only 18 seats, REN centers on a 10-seat chef’s counter led by Executive Chef Koji Imajo. Trained in France and affiliated with the Imperial Hotel since 1996, Imajo blends classical French technique with Japanese seasonality. Menus are guided by Japan’s twenty-four solar terms, reflecting subtle shifts in climate and ingredient availability. Dishes are composed in front of guests, emphasizing movement, aroma and texture. The intimate room, adorned with plaster artwork depicting cherry blossoms, reinforces a sense of quiet focus and seasonal awareness.

YASAKA

Located on the second floor, YASAKA revolves around a custom wood- and charcoal-fired oven. The open kitchen produces dishes marked by gentle smoke and char, served from breakfast through dinner. Morning light fills the space early in the day, while evenings take on a warmer tone. A preserved Bashō relief from the building’s earlier life remains integrated into the dining room.

OLD IMPERIAL BAR

On the seventh floor, OLD IMPERIAL BAR draws inspiration from the Imperial Hotel’s historic Wright-era design. A substantial slab of zelkova wood forms the counter, where guests look out over Kyoto’s rooftops. The cocktail menu balances classics with Kyoto-inflected originals, including Mount Hiei, a matcha-based interpretation inspired by the Mount Fuji cocktail. The setting is understated, with low architectural lighting and ceramic reliefs adding depth to the space.

THE ROOFTOP

Reserved for hotel guests and open seasonally from late March through late November, The Rooftop offers unobstructed views over Gion. It’s the perfect spot to take in the surrounding skyline.

Wellness and Rituals

Beyond dining, the hotel incorporates a spa program that reflects Kyoto’s broader traditions of restorative rituals and seasonal alignment. Treatment spaces prioritize natural materials and subdued lighting, offering a quiet counterpoint to the city’s busy temple circuits and historic districts.

In a city where both traditional ryokan and bold contemporary hotels compete for attention, the Imperial Hotel takes a more restrained path. Luxury here is expressed through scale, materiality, and culinary precision. For travelers seeking a thoughtful entry into the more refined side of Japanese travel, where heritage architecture, seasonal cuisine, and deliberate design intersect, this newly-opened address in Gion offers a considered place to begin.