Capella has entered Japan with the opening of Capella Kyoto, marking the brand’s first property in the country and positioning it within one of Kyoto’s most culturally layered districts. The 89-key hotel opened in March, timed to the city’s cherry blossom season, and sits within Miyagawa-cho, a historic kagai where geiko and maiko traditions continue to shape daily life.
Property Exterior, image courtesy of Capella Kyoto
The hotel is part of a broader redevelopment along Shinmichi Street, built on the former site of Shinmichi Elementary School and anchored by the restored Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre alongside a new community center. Long used as a private training ground for Kyoto’s geiko and maiko, the Kaburenjo now reopens as a central cultural component, with hotel guests granted access to performances still rooted in the city’s traditions.
Architecture by Kengo Kuma & Associates references Kyoto’s traditional machiya townhouses, expressed through narrow pathways and interior courtyards. Interiors by Brewin Design Office carry these elements throughout the hotel, incorporating alleys, gardens, and transitional spaces.
Accommodations span four stories, ranging from entry-level rooms to the 2,217-square-foot Capella Suite on the top floor. Premier Theatre Rooms overlook the Kaburenjo, while two Gion Suites face toward Kenninji Temple. Six Onsen Suites include private hot spring baths. The Capella Suite is oriented toward the Higashiyama skyline, with views extending across Kyoto’s rooftops toward Yasaka Pagoda.
Dining is led by SoNoMa by SingleThread, developed in partnership with the three Michelin-starred restaurant in Sonoma by Kyle and Katina Connaughton. The concept includes a 12-seat counter and a lounge bar modeled after a traditional ochaya, with Chef Keita Tominaga leading a menu shaped by ingredients from Kyoto’s Kansai region and California’s Dry Creek Valley. The program extends to SingleThread Entremets, a dedicated patisserie led by Executive Pastry Chef Emma Horowitz and Chef Miu Morita. Yoi introduces a modern kappo concept for late-night dining, while Lanterne serves as an all-day French brasserie informed by both Parisian café culture and Japanese craftsmanship.
Wellness is centered around Auriga Spa, Capella’s signature concept guided by lunar cycles and holistic practices. The facility includes three private onsen rooms, treatment suites, wet and dry saunas, and a fitness center, with therapies that draw from both Japanese traditions and contemporary wellness approaches.
Art Curation, image courtesy of Capella Kyoto
Programming is delivered through Capella Curates, offering access to experiences typically closed to visitors, including private ochaya encounters with maiko, artisan-led workshops, and visits to long-standing craft ateliers. Together with the Kaburenjo Theatre, these elements position the hotel within Kyoto’s active cultural landscape.
AloJapan.com