By YOKO MASUDA/ Staff Writer
March 24, 2025 at 07:00 JST
A concept drawing of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto's front entrance ((c) New Material Research Laboratory)
The operator of the Imperial Hotel chain announced it has named its luxury hotel opening in spring 2026 in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward in a renovated historic landmark as the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto.
Imperial Hotel Ltd. will utilize the exterior of Yasaka Hall in the ancient capital's Gion traditional entertainment district, which is the home of geisha culture.
Completed in 1936, the building had been used as a forum to perform traditional arts such as "Kyomai" (Kyoto-style dance), tea ceremonies and flower arrangement.
It is designated by the government as a tangible cultural property.
According to Tokyo-based Obayashi Corp., which is in charge of designing and constructing the hotel, about 10 percent of the exterior wall tiles from Yasaka Hall were reused, while the terracotta reliefs on exterior walls are preserved.
The deteriorated roof was torn down and will be replaced with a new one reconstructed based on the original design.
Construction is expected to be completed in October.
The seven-story hotel with two basement floors will house 55 guest rooms, restaurants, a spa, a gym and other facilities.
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