Overview
The nationally registered Yasaka Kaikan forms the historic heart of Imperial Hotel, Kyoto. Opened in March 2026, the 55-room hotel occupies part of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo grounds, close to Hanamikoji Street and the lanes of Kyoto-Gion.
Staying here puts Gion ahead of station convenience. The district's evening streets, restaurants, and east-side sights are close, but arrivals through Kyoto Station require another connection. Kyoto Station is not nearby.
Rooms
Rooms start at a published 50 square meters. Heritage rooms in the Main Building retain original pillars and window frames from Yasaka Kaikan, while contemporary rooms look across the city or Gion. Every room in the North Wing has tatami flooring and a quieter contemporary Japanese design.
Categories range from premier rooms to junior suites and larger suites, so the choice of building and layout matters as much as the category name. Some rooms have balconies or tatami areas. At the top end, the 128-square-meter Imperial Suite includes a 65-square-meter terrace and access to a preserved rooftop gazebo.
Facilities
The guest lounge handles check-in, refreshments, and concierge requests. On the wellness floor, a pool, sauna, and thermal baths are joined by a fitness room and bookable spa treatments. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in rooms and public areas.
A chauffeur can be arranged for transfers, sightseeing, or day trips. Parking is much more limited: valet service has only four spaces and requires advance booking.
Dining
REN serves fine French dinners, while YASAKA is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. OLD IMPERIAL BAR provides a traditional hotel-bar setting. Staying guests can also use THE ROOFTOP, and in-room dining covers breakfast and later meals.
You don't have to leave Gion for a formal dinner or an early breakfast. The range gives the hotel more evening flexibility than its 55-room size might suggest.
Location and transport
Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line is about an eight-minute walk. Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line is about 10 minutes away on foot. These are the most convenient stations for local rail trips.
Kyoto Station is about 3.5 kilometers away and roughly 15 minutes by taxi. City Bus No. 206 runs from Kyoto Station to the Gion stop, followed by a five-minute walk. If you're carrying large luggage, a taxi is the simpler option.
Airport access
From Kansai International Airport, the JR Limited Express Haruka reaches Kyoto Station in about 90 minutes. Airport limousine buses to Kyoto Station take a similar amount of time.
From Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport, the limousine bus to Kyoto Station takes about 55 minutes. Neither route ends at the hotel, so allow time for the final taxi or bus connection into Gion.
Why stay here
Hanamikoji Street and Gion's evening streets become part of the daily route rather than a separate outing from the station area. The preserved Yasaka Kaikan, spacious rooms, full-service dining, and wellness facilities support a slower stay without giving up hotel services.
Gion remains a lived-in entertainment district of tea houses, restaurants, and private homes, with Yasaka Shrine nearby. The location is especially convenient if you plan to explore eastern Kyoto on foot and return for dinner, though it adds a transfer on Shinkansen and airport travel days.
Good to know
The guest lounge and rooftop are reserved for staying guests. Valet parking must be booked ahead, and the four spaces can fill quickly.
Around Hanamikoji Street, keep out of private lanes, avoid blocking traffic, and don't photograph geiko or maiko without permission.
8-minute walk