Capella Kyoto has officially opened, just as Kyoto’s legendary cherry blossoms reach their fleeting peak. Set in the historic Miyagawa-cho kagai (geisha district), Capella Hotels and Resorts’ inaugural property in Japan is located steps from the Kenninji temple and the Kamo river where kabuki was born.
The 89-key hotel reimagines the city’s traditional machiya (townhouse) and reinterprets Kyoto’s characteristic spatial composition—the layered sequence of narrow alleys, hidden gardens, and interior thresholds—arriving at a moment when the city is at its most transcendent: streets canopied in sakura, air scented with spring.
Says Clive Edwards, Senior Vice President, Operations, “Kyoto is one of the world’s greatest cradles of craft, ritual, and tradition, and Capella Kyoto has been conceived to honour that legacy in full. Japan has long been a destination we have deeply admired, and we have been intentional about introducing our brands here. Building on the success of Patina Osaka, which opened last year, we look forward to welcoming guests to Capella Kyoto as the next chapter in that journey — and the beginning of a deeper story in.”
This follows on from the opening of Capella at Galaxy Macau that just opened in February.
A hotel, a theatre and a community
Built on the former site of Shinmichi Elementary School, Capella Kyoto is part of a three-part development along Shinmichi Street together with the restored Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre (Japanese opera and dance theatre) and a new community centre—carrying forward a legacy of learning, culture, and community.
At the heart of the development is the Kaburenjo itself: for generations the private training ground of Kyoto’s geiko and maiko (geisha apprentices). Now restored, it grants Capella guests access to performances—a living tradition Kyoto has guarded for centuries.
The 89-room property rises four storeys, with accommodations ranging from Deluxe City Rooms to the 206-sqm top-floor Capella Suite. Among the most sought-after are the Premier Theatre Rooms — named for their outlook over the Kaburenjo — and the two Gion (named after Kyoto’s geisha district) Suites, each with a direct view of Kenninji temple.
Six Onsen Suites feature private hot spring baths, while the Capella Suite commands the full sweep of the Higashiyama skyline.
Culinary offerings
Capella Kyoto is home to SoNoMa by SingleThread, created in partnership with SingleThread, the Three-Michelin-starred restaurant based in Sonoma, California by Kyle and Katina Connaughton. As the signature restaurant of the property, SoNoMa by SingleThread offers an intimate 12-seat counter and a 20-seat lounge bar in the style of an ochaya (traditional teahouse).
Yoi is a late-night dining destination where chefs prepare and present seasonal dishes directly before their guests — elevated here by innovative handcrafted cocktails. Lanterne, the all-day French brasserie, reimagines Parisian café culture with the serene sensibility of Japanese design.
Auriga Spa
Wellness at Capella Kyoto is anchored by Auriga Spa, the brand’s signature sanctuary inspired by lunar cycles and holistic rituals. The spa features three private onsen rooms, wet and dry saunas, four treatment rooms, and a fitness centre.
Capella Curates
Through “Capella Curates,” the hotel’s signature cultural programming, guests are granted access to Kyoto’s most closely held traditions—experiences rarely, if ever, open to visitors. One example is front-row seats at the revived Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre—the historic home of Kyoto’s geiko and maiko, allow guests to witness the classical performing arts in the intimate surroundings.
Rates start from 394,200 Japanese yen (about US$2,460) for two pax, inclusive of taxes and service charges.
AloJapan.com