Where to mix business with heritage in Kyoto

Nijo Castle offers a historic yet functional venue in Kyoto, featuring traditional architecture, spacious grounds, and a hall for meetings of up to 400 guests.

In Kyoto, history isn’t just something to admire, it’s also a backdrop for doing business. From shogunate castles to cinematic Edo-era sets, the city offers a wealth of distinctive venues that blend cultural immersion with practical meeting amenities.

Nijo Castle: Historic setting with modern functionalityOne of Nijo Castle’s standout venues is Sakura no Sono, an outdoor cherry-garden space ideal for receptions or cultural performances.

Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a distinctive backdrop for MICE gatherings. Formerly a shogunal residence, the well-preserved Ninomaru Palace features traditional interiors, chirping nightingale floors, and landscaped gardens.

The castle grounds include a conference hall that can accommodate up to 400 attendees and are supported by an on-site MICE coordinator. The venue allows organisers to incorporate cultural elements while maintaining logistical capabilities.

Tofukuji Temple: Cultural depth in a tranquil settingTofukuji Temple offers meeting facilities, scenic gardens, and cultural activities like meditation and sutra copying, creating a peaceful, immersive setting for MICE events.

Dating back to 1236, Tofukuji Temple offers a space that merges cultural heritage with natural surroundings.

Particularly known for its seasonal foliage and the Tsutenkyo Bridge, the venue includes a hall equipped for meetings and provides access to restricted heritage areas. Groups may also arrange traditional activities such as seated meditation, sutra copying, or light treks around the temple grounds.

Toei Kyoto studio park: A cinematic approach to eventsToei Kyoto Studio Park features a 33,000 sqm Edo-period film set, ideal for outdoor receptions, indoor theatre alternatives, and live samurai, ninja, or geisha performances.

Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a working film set modelled after an Edo-period town, spans 33,000 sqm and is available for corporate events.

Outdoor spaces are suitable for evening receptions, while indoor alternatives such as the Nakamuraza Theater ensure weather-resilient planning. Additional programming may include staged performances, costume experiences, and traditional drumming displays.

Accommodation with local character

Six Senses Kyoto (81 rooms) incorporates sustainability into its guest offerings, including hands-on workshops at its in-house Earth Lab.

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto (52 rooms) offers accommodations that reflect traditional ryokan practices, including daily rituals and a private Noh stage.

Capella Kyoto (92 rooms) is scheduled to open this year in the historic Miyagawa-chō area, known for its geiko and maiko community.