Overview
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is located in Gion on the grounds of Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. The hotel opened on March 5, 2026, and carries forward the legacy of Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property. It is a small full-service Kyoto stay for travelers who want the historic Gion setting, larger rooms, dining on site, wellness facilities, and access to Keihan rail without staying beside Kyoto Station.
Rooms
The hotel has 55 rooms in total, with 47 rooms in the Main Building and 8 rooms in the North Wing. Guest rooms are over 50 square meters, with Main Building and heritage categories that include premier rooms, grand premier rooms, junior suites, penthouse suites, and the 128-square-meter Imperial Suite. Several categories offer twin or king layouts, and selected rooms include balconies or heritage details tied to Yasaka Kaikan.
Facilities
Facilities include an exclusive guest lounge, pool, sauna, thermal baths, fitness, spa treatments, chauffeur service, high-speed Wi-Fi, and limited guest parking. The stay is more facilities-rich than a simple Gion business hotel, but the parking supply is small and should be treated as reservation-dependent rather than automatic.
Dining
Dining options include Fine French Cuisine REN, All-Day Dining YASAKA, OLD IMPERIAL BAR, THE ROOFTOP for staying guests, The Pastry Shop, and in-room dining. This gives the hotel a complete on-site dining setup for guests who want Gion access without depending on nearby restaurants for every meal.
Location and transport
Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line is about 8 minutes away on foot, while Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station is about 10 minutes away on foot. Kyoto Station is about 15 minutes by taxi, or reachable by city bus to the Gion stop followed by a short walk. The location is strongest for Gion, Higashiyama, Kenninji, Yasaka Shrine, and evening walks rather than direct Shinkansen platform convenience.
Airport access
Kansai International Airport access works through Kyoto Station by JR Haruka or airport limousine bus, followed by taxi, bus, or rail toward Gion. Osaka Itami Airport access also runs by limousine bus to Kyoto Station, then onward to the hotel area. Private car and chauffeur service can be arranged through the hotel.
Why stay here
Choose Imperial Hotel, Kyoto when the priority is a small high-end Gion base with large rooms, heritage context, on-site dining, wellness facilities, and practical Keihan access. Choose a Kyoto Station Area hotel instead when Shinkansen timing, luggage logistics, or airport transfers through Kyoto Station matter more than the Gion setting.
8-minute walk