This theatre turned luxury hotel is one of Kyoto’s most homely stays

Moments from a beautifully preserved historic street in Gion, the stylish Imperial Hotel Kyoto offers epic views, as Ellie Seymour discovers

Jul 28, 2026 - 15:15

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This theatre turned luxury hotel is one of Kyoto’s most homely stays

This former theatre reimagined as a luxury hotel is a stylish refuge in the bustling neighbourhood of Gion, with a traditional meets modern aesthetic

Location

A stay at the Imperial Hotel Kyoto brings you to the heart of bustling Gion, a historic area known for its geiko – the Japanese word for geisha – culture. It’s set within the former Yasaka Kaikan theatre, which was built in 1936, and where Kyoto’s geiko once performed, opposite Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō, Kyoto’s new and leading geisha theatre, and the Gion geisha school.

A stay here also places you moments from bustling Hanami-koji, a famous and beautifully preserved historic street known for its wooden merchant homes and high-end tea houses.

From Kansai International Airport, either take the JR Haruka limited express to Kyoto Station, then the Keihan Main Line to Gion-Shijo Station (a short walk from the hotel); the airport limousine bus to Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit, followed by a taxi; or a taxi the whole way, which takes around 90 minutes.

The vibe

Any stress navigating Gion’s crowds instantly melts away as you head up the cobbled drive towards the polished Imperial Hotel Kyoto with its grand tiered, pagoda-like facade, rising seven stories over the surrounding architecture. Thanks to its heritage status, it’s the only building in the area allowed above the neighbourhood’s legal 12-metre height limit, providing epic city views.

The Imperial Hotel has a grand tiered, pagoda-like facade

The Imperial Hotel has a grand tiered, pagoda-like facade (Masatomo Moriyama)

Walking through the sliding door into the warm-toned lobby lounge feels like entering a sleek and tranquil Japanese home. Clusters of cream-coloured rattan chairs face floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking an interior garden. This tranquil space sets the scene for the rest of Japanese architect Tomoyuki Sakakida’s beautifully reimagined hotel, abundant in natural materials and traditional elements including marble and cedar wood, and features such as original window frames, stone pillars, decorative stone motifs and terracotta tiles.

Service

Luxury hospitality that defines the Imperial Hotel brand underpins a stay here. All guests are treated like royalty – and it starts from the moment you arrive. White-gloved bellboys whisk you through swishing automatic doors past reception and into the lounge to check in after you’ve been offered a hot towel, green tea and luxurious local sweets.

Nothing is too much trouble. During my two-night stay, the hotel’s excellent concierge team were on hand to offer great restaurant recommendations and secure tables at short notice.

Bed and bath

The Imperial Hotel Kyoto has 55 rooms and suites with varying views and styles. Most are located in the historic Main Building with a modern Japanese design. The newly built North Wing section houses a few traditional, shoes-off Tatami mats rooms.

A Grand Premier Room in the North Wing of Imperial Hotel, Kyoto

A Grand Premier Room in the North Wing of Imperial Hotel, Kyoto (Masatomo Moriyama)

Decor makes the most of local materials, with cedar headboards, creamy silk wallpaper, and bedside lamps designed to look like Japanese lanterns. My dual-aspect suite looked out over Hanami-koji, the most famous street in Gion, and had a framed relic of the Yasaka Kaikan theatre. The refreshment station contains a Nespresso machine, kettle, tea pot, fine china and a complimentary minibar replenished daily, which features bottles of champagne and Japanese whiskey.

Luxurious marble bathrooms are well-stocked with amenities and have deep bathtubs, rain showers, and the thickest, fluffiest towels I’ve ever encountered in a variety of sizes.

Food and drink

There are two restaurants and two bars at the Imperial Hotel Kyoto. Honey-hued, all-day dining option, Yasaka, is a sleek spot for multi-course Japanese and American breakfasts, created and presented with precision by a team of chefs in a small open kitchen.

Intimate French restaurant, Ren, on the second floor serves multi-course tasting menus for dinner and has a 10-seater counter. Plant-based options are available.

Ren serves multi-course tasting menus and has a 10-seater counter

Ren serves multi-course tasting menus and has a 10-seater counter (Masatomo Moriyama)

On the top floor, the decadent Old Imperial Bar is a secluded spot for a refined cocktail, such as its signature matcha-infused Mount Hiei, inspired by the nearby landmark. On the same floor is The Rooftop, a guest-only, plant-filled outside space with incredible views over the Kyoto skyline, open in warmer months.

Complimentary snacks such as Florentines and mini madeleines are made at in-house bakery The Pastry Shop located behind reception. They are served alongside tea, coffee and soft drinks in a small guest-only refreshment area off the lobby, and come 5pm, alcoholic options including champagne and sake are added.

Facilities

It would be remiss not to explore the hotel’s wellness facilities, set within an impressive basement space. After working up a sweat in the compact, high-tech 24/7 gym, a dip in the balmy, 17.5-metre basement-set pool is a must. Surrounded by huge rocks that come from Shikoku Island south of Honshu, together with its dark walls and low lighting, it has a lair-like feel.

The basement pool is backed by huge rocks that come from Shikoku Island

The basement pool is backed by huge rocks that come from Shikoku Island (Imperial Hotel)

Male and female spa areas feature a hot soaking tub, sauna, steam room, showers, lockers and changing facilities. Robes, towels and beauty products are provided, and gym clothes, swimsuits, trunks and hats are available to borrow if you arrive without them.

Accessibility

There is one accessible guest room featuring lowered handles, an adjustable bed and bathrooms rails. All floors are accessible using spacious lifts with lower-level buttons. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are available on the restaurant level.