Capella Kyoto
Japan
Capella Kyoto
130 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0811, Japan
www.capellahotels.com/en/capella-kyoto
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Capella Hotels and Resorts
Shareholders
Capella Hotel Group (CHG) is Singapore-based and privately owned
Date of Creation
March 23, 2026 (We may able to open earlier than this date)
Hotel General Manager
John Blanco – Cluster General Manager (overseeing Capella Kyoto and Patina Osaka). He is known as the former opening General Manager of Capella Bangkok, which was awarded No. 1 Best Hotel in the World for the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024.
Hotel Positioning
5-star Luxury; Capella Hotels
Development Strategy
Capella Hotel Group is expanding its portfolio in Japan, which currently includes; Patina Osaka (opened April 2025), Capella Kyoto (slated to open in March 2026) then Capella Niseko and Capella Tokyo (expected in 2027 and 2028).
Capella Kyoto
History & Story
An Intimate Journey Exploring Kyoto’s Tradition Through a Modern-day Machiya.In the heart of Gion, where tradition flows with quiet grace, Capella Kyoto offers a haven of heritage and harmony. Nestled within the historic Miyagawa-cho district and steps from the revered Kaburenjo theatre—where the timeless arts of Geiko (Geisha) and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) endure—our reimagined machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) opens its doors to deeper cultural understanding. Here, beside Kenninji Temple, Kyoto’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple, centuries-old artistry lives on through the hands of master craftspeople, thoughtfully reimagined into contemporary forms and experiences. Each moment quietly echoes the soul of a thousand-year legacy.Four-storey high and home to 89 rooms, Capella Kyoto pays homage to the city’s rich heritage through its curation of Japanese artworks and artefacts. Adjacent to the celebrated Miyagawa-chō Kaburenjo, a theatre for Geiko and Maiko dances, each guest room is furnished with soothing hues, intricate textures and reinterpreted in a contemporary manner to embrace the future while respecting the important legacy of Kyoto’s Geiko traditions. An enchanting space of pure beauty and unexpected treasure awaits.
Date Renewal
New opening hotel
Date added extensions
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates in conjunction with Brewin Design Office, each space celebrates the city’s refined heritage through layered textures, soft hues, and carefully curated details that echo over 1,200 years of Kyoto craftsmanship. A low-rise, hollow square building featuring a central garden with water feature. The hotel’s restaurants face inwards towards the central garden. The machiya nature of the hotels design reflects the architecture of the local neighbourhood, while its enviable location in the cultural heart of Kyoto, Gion, provides a rare and intimate sense of place.
Location
Located in the heart of Gion, one of Kyoto’s most renowned sightseeing areas, the hotel is approximately 15 minutes from Kyoto Station. The hotel is fronted by Kenninji Temple, the oldest Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. Behind the hotel, sits Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo, a renowned theatre and performance school for Geiko (Geisha) and Maiko (apprentice Geisha). The Kaburenjo was renovated by Kengo Kuma and Associates (headed by renowned Japanese Architect, Kengo Kuma) as part of the hotel development.
Key sites/activities in the area
The property is situated in Miyagawa-cho, one of Kyoto’s five historic entertainment districts, where Geiko and Maiko traditionally entertain clients through conversation, dance, and song.
Fun Facts
The site was formerly home to an elementary school. The hotel owner redeveloped the former school site together with the Kaburenjo Theatre to preserve the culture of the Geisha district. By incorporating original wood materials and fixtures from the former elementary school into the hotel’s interior, and transplanting original trees (such as Cherry Blossoms and Maple) from the former elementary school site, the hotel embodies a bridge between past and present.
Children’s Corner
As part of Capella Hotels & Resorts, Capella Kyoto offers a children’s program called “Little Stars.” Programming details are currently under development.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites:
The hotel offers a total of 29 suites across five categories: Junior Suite Corner King (61 sqm), Junior Suite Temple King & Double (58 sqm), Onsen Suite King (71 sqm), Gion Suite (148 sqm), and Capella Suite (206 sqm).
The Onsen Suite features a unique in-room bath, allowing guests to enjoy authentic Onsen (spring) water in the privacy of their suite.
Both the Gion Suite and Capella Suites offer separate living and dining areas, while the Capella Suite features two bedrooms.
In addition, the Capella Suite can be interconnected with a Deluxe City Double room, creating an expansive three-bedroom suite.
• Number of Luxury rooms:
The hotel offers a total of 60 standard rooms, divided into three categories of rooms, based on the views; Temple (Kenninji Temple) views, Theatre (Kaburenjo Theatre) views and Miyagawa-cho neighbourhood.
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all:
The hotel features 89 rooms, including 29 suites. Each room, starting from 50 square metres, is thoughtfully arranged around a serene courtyard and gentle water feature, creating a sense of serenity and harmony throughout the property. Among the 29 suites, six exclusive Onsen Suites offer a rare experience in Kyoto—reimagining the 1300-year-old tradition of Onsen bathing for the contemporary traveller.
Restaurants & Bars
• Lanterne – French brasserie, all day dining
• Signature Restaurant – name TBA – with announcement to come of Michelin Star Chef Collaboration
• Japanese Restaurant – Late night dining venue (Kappo-style) with bar
• Patisserie – including retail with items produced through Michelin Star Chef collaboration
• Lobby Lounge
Wellness
• Four treatment rooms
• Three private Onsen rooms with private catering offering
• 24-hour fitness centre featuring natural light
• Separate male and female, wet & dry saunas with experiential showers
Collaboration with exclusive Spa partner – details to be announced
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Ballroom (250 sqm with 4 metre ceiling height), accommodating up to 150 guests standing or 100 guests seated, the space can be divided into two rooms
• Two meeting rooms (52 sqm and 40 sqm, each with a 2.6 metre ceiling height)
Pre-function area featuring natural light and a two-storey waterfall.
Extra Notable Features
• Details of Capella Curates programming coming soon
• Please note that pre-booked Capella Curates experiences will be commissionable to Advisors.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
Hotel to be newly opened in 2026.
Hotel has already been featured by Vogue, Travel + Leisure and The Observer as a notable opening in 2026.
Number of employees
100-200