Exploring the appeal of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto ahead of its spring 2026 launch

Founded in 1890, the Imperial Hotel has welcomed countless guests over its 135-year history, including visiting foreign dignitaries and celebrities. The hotel brand, truly representative of Japan in both substance and style, has chosen the international cultural and tourist hub of Kyoto as the location for its fourth property, following Tokyo, Kamikochi and Osaka. So what is in store for visitors when the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto opens its doors in spring 2026. Let’s find out.

The first thing to note is the location. Situated in Gion, one of Kyoto’s most prestigious districts, the hotel building incorporates and preserves part of the historic Yasaka Kaikan (completed in 1936, and a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property), which stands within the grounds of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater.

Nearly 90 years after it was built, the old Yasaka Kaikan had been deteriorating badly and was in need of work to enhance its seismic resistance. A plan was created to preserve its exterior, in particular the outside walls and structural elements on the west and south sides, while the interior was reconstructed and expanded as a hotel in compliance with current building codes. Construction was entrusted to Obayashi Corp., the same company that designed the original hall. Meticulous care was taken during the work. For example, with the exterior tiles, a “live capture” method was implemented, meaning each tile was removed one by one so it could be reused. Having been exposed to wind and rain, the tiles had become brittle, meaning excessive force could crack them. Ultimately, about 10% of the total tiles, approximately 16,000 pieces, were salvaged and reused on the exterior walls. On the hotel’s symbolic southern tower and part of its western facade, tiles dating back about 90 years were preserved in place, with additional measures implemented to prevent them from falling. The remaining sections of the western and southern facades feature a combination of reused tiles and newly manufactured ones.

The hotel’s interior is by architect Tomoyuki Sakakida, who co-founded the New Material Research Laboratory with contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. The architectural design firm is highly regarded for its work utilizing natural materials and construction methods rooted in Japanese tradition, guided by the philosophy of “old is new.” The hotel space is designed around three themes: “The Inheritance of Time and Memory” “The Harmony and Contrast Between Old and New” and “Materials and Design that Tell a Story.”

What kind of interior design and hospitality will await guests when the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto opens in spring? If you want to be one of the first to know, then keep watch on the hotel’s website. Reservations will be accepted from fall.

135年の歴史を誇り、名実ともに日本を代表するホテルである帝国ホテルが、東京・上高地・大阪に続く4拠点目に選んだのは京都だった。開業は2026年春。場所は祇園に位置し、ホテルの建物は、祇園甲部歌舞練場の敷地内にある弥栄会館（1936年竣工/国の登録有形文化財）という歴史的建造物の一部を保存活用したものだ。

90年近くの歳月を経て老朽化や耐震性の問題が確認されたことから、議論の末、西面と南面、2面の外壁と構造体の一部を保存しながら増改築することとなった。施工は〈大林組〉が担い、例えば外壁のタイルは1枚1枚取り外して再利用する“生け捕り”を実施。最終的に約1万6,000枚のタイルを確保し外壁に再利用している。内装は、〈新素材研究所〉を現代美術作家・杉本博司と主宰する、建築家・榊田倫之が手掛け。空間は「時間と記憶の継承」「新旧の調和と対比」「歴史を語る素材と意匠」によってデザインされている。

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