On this milestone one hundred and thirty fifth anniversary yr, Imperial Lodge is asserting its growth into Kyoto with a exceptional Spring 2026 opening within the historic Gion district, bringing the group’s first new property in three many years.
A cautious method to progress
The announcement feels significantly vital given Imperial Lodge’s cautious method to progress. Since 1890, the group has constructed simply three resorts: the flagship Tokyo property (Imperial Lodge, Tokyo) that famously survived the Nice Kanto Earthquake on its opening day due to Frank Lloyd Wright’s engineering brilliance, the seasonal mountain retreat at Kamikochi (Imperial Lodge, Kamikochi) that’s been drawing poets and artists since 1933, and the Osaka riverside lodge (Imperial Lodge, Osaka) that opened in 1996.
Within the coronary heart of historic Gion
Now comes Imperial Lodge, Kyoto, housed throughout the restored bones of Yasaka Kaikan in Gion, the place cobbled streets echo with the gentle clip of picket geta and paper lanterns solid their heat glow over conventional tea homes. That is the district the place geishas nonetheless glide between ochaya at nightfall, the place centuries-old traditions play out each day towards a backdrop of completely preserved machiya townhouses. Because the Edo interval, Gion has flourished as an leisure district on the gates of Yasaka Shrine, sustaining its wealthy historical past while evolving with the instances.
The 1936 cultural venue that may turn into the lodge was initially funded by contributions from native geiko, maiko and teahouse associations, making it a beloved group landmark that has hosted theatrical performances, live shows and numerous cultural gatherings throughout generations. Its architect, Tokusaburo Kimura of Obayashi Company, was famend for his mastery of theatre structure, creating the constructing’s distinctive multi-tiered roof and tower-like entrance part that types a part of Gion’s stunning townscape.
A unprecedented architectural lineage
What emerges from the renovation story is a unprecedented architectural lineage. Kimura was deeply influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the scratch tiles he used for different tasks had initially been delivered to Japan by Wright himself for the development of the unique Imperial Lodge. The connection runs deeper nonetheless by shared terracotta from Tokoname and contributions from craftspeople who labored on Wright’s celebrated design. Somewhat splendidly, Obayashi Company (the identical agency that constructed the construction practically 90 years in the past) is dealing with the renovation.
Considerate restoration meets modern design
Architect Tomoyuki Sakakida of New Materials Analysis Laboratory is overseeing interiors guided by an “Outdated is New” philosophy, with 16,387 authentic exterior tiles being meticulously preserved and reinstated. Visitors will select between three distinct room kinds throughout 55 lodging, every reflecting completely different points of the constructing’s architectural evolution. Past the rooms, there will likely be spa amenities, a pool, eating areas, and what guarantees to be a relatively particular bar the place night drinks is perhaps accompanied by the distant sound of shamisen music drifting from close by institutions.
Visitors may step from their rooms into Gion’s streets for morning walks to Yasaka Shrine, or night strolls by paths the place town’s most expert artisans have practised their crafts for generations, all set towards the backdrop of the Higashiyama Mountains.
Sustainability and recognition
The timing coincides with Imperial Lodge’s one hundred and thirty fifth anniversary celebrations and a renewed deal with sustainability. All three present properties just lately earned the very best “5 Sakura” ranking from Japan’s ESG certification system, while Imperial Tokyo turned the primary lodge to obtain Forbes Journey Information’s VERIFIED™ Accountable Hospitality certification.
Chairman Hideya Sadayasu frames the Imperial Kyoto opening as preparation for the corporate’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary in 2040, describing it as “a brand new stage the place the following era of lodge employees can welcome friends with heat, delight, and innovation.”
The property joined The Main Inns of the World in April 2025, and room reservations start this autumn. For a gaggle that has moved intentionally and thoughtfully for greater than a century, this Kyoto debut represents each continuity and evolution. Precisely what you’d count on from Imperial Lodge.
Imperial Lodge, Kyoto opens Spring 2026 within the Gion district.
Web site: www.imperialhotel.co.jp
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