In Kyoto's historic Miyagawa-chō district, a former primary school building has been transformed by renowned Japanese architectural studio Kengo Kuma and Associates and Singapore-based interior design studio Brewin Design Office into an intimate expression of cultural continuity, craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Opening in Spring 2026, Capella Kyoto reimagines the machiya — the traditional townhouses iconic in Kyoto — as a contemplative composition of light and materials that, like the city itself, unfolds through layered thresholds, intimate reveals, and moments of discovery.

"Miyagawa-chō is situated in the city centre of Kyoto. While at the popular part of the town, the area retains a tranquil, unspoilt air centred around the venerable temple Kenninji," says Kengo Kuma. "We found this 'tranquillity' paramount, and considered it essential to transfer it into the hotel."   

Kuma's architecture respects the intimate scale and rhythm of Kyoto's characterful latticework lanes, creating a low-rise form that harmonises with the surrounding streets. Collaborating with local artisans, Brewin Design Office reinterpreted traditional craft techniques through a contemporary lens, bringing together lacquer, washi, ceramic, bronze and timber in ways that celebrate texture and touch. 

A modern machiya rooted in place

Located steps from Kenninji - Kyoto's oldest Zen temple - and Miyagawa-cho's celebrated Kaburenjo Theatre, where geiko and maiko train and perform seasonal dances, the 89-room hotel takes its architectural and design inspiration from the city's traditional machiya - historic wooden townhouses characterised by narrow facades, deep interiors, and the uniquely compact yet rich tsuboniwa gardens.  

At the hotel's heart, an enclosed courtyard is crowned by a dramatic karahafu roof - an undulating gable typically used in temple gates, castles, and other buildings of ceremonial importance, later adopted by Kabuki theatres and Kaburenjo dance halls.  

"Kyoto has many schools nurtured by the city itself. Primary schools by nature are places closely connected with their local communities, including the site we worked on," Kuma notes. "We felt it was inconceivable to introduce architecture that would feel like an alien object to the community. To respect and carry forward the public nature of the school, we provided the hotel with a courtyard." 

A layered journey of discovery 

Kengo Kuma's architectural vision for Capella Kyoto is deeply rooted in his understanding of the city's unique spatial character. "Kyoto still has a strong street character, where narrow lanes criss-cross the town," Kuma explains. "It means that when we walk through it, we unexpectedly discover not only grand shrines and temples but also small temples or tiny roadside shrines, and small historic monuments here and there, lending a unique rhythm to exploring the streets. We wanted guests at the hotel to enjoy this rather light spiritual atmosphere of Kyoto, which differs from experiencing massive historical sites."  

Rather than arriving at a conventional hotel entrance, guests are drawn through a deliberately designed sequence—narrow Gion-style alleyways lined with shoji screens, the soft murmur of concealed water, subtle pauses that encourage slower movement. This intentional compression and release mirrors the rhythm of the city itself, where discovery unfolds gradually through intimate passages and unexpected reveals. 

"The property's central tsuboniwa — the traditional Japanese courtyard garden — creates a contemplative heart from which all guest experiences flow. Designed alongside an underground atrium, both spaces embrace water as an essential symbol of nature. Kyoto's typical machiya features a tsuboniwa garden — a uniquely compact yet rich space to enjoy nature," Kuma notes. "Through the element of water, we wished to share this concept with people coming to the hotel."  

Design grounded in restraint

Brewin Design Office approached Capella Kyoto as an exercise in spatial storytelling. "Kyoto's mastery lies in its restraint," says Robert Cheng, Founder of Brewin Design Office. "Our ambition was to express its invisible qualities - stillness, rhythm, material intelligence - through the language of design rather than decoration. Rather than replicating tradition, we sought to evolve its essence through a contemporary lens. It's about carrying forward Kyoto's spirit of discretion and intimacy, not merely referencing its past.”  

Local materials shape the sensory experience throughout: cypress and cedar from the region, bamboo integrated into both interiors and the Zen landscape, and Nishiki-ori silk — a glossy fabric long made in Kyoto— woven into the design narrative. Guestrooms are oriented to capture natural light at different times of day, with deep stone bathing tubs positioned to encourage the Japanese ritual of contemplative bathing while gazing at carefully framed courtyard views. 

Dining as cultural bridge 

Shared spaces throughout the hotel reference traditional Japanese architecture while serving distinct hospitality purposes. The Living Room, conceived to evoke a Japanese-style andon lantern — a type of lamp with a wooden frame and paper covering that provides soft light — serves as an intimate gathering space for guests. 

The 32-seat signature restaurant featuring 12 intimate counter seats and a 20-seat lounge bar, creates a contemporary echo of an ochaya teahouse — beginning in a residential-style lounge which transitions into an open kitchen dining space. 

The Japanese restaurant features wood and handmade lighting reclaimed from the former Shinmichi Elementary School, reflecting Kyoto's rustic craftsmanship and honouring the site's heritage. Conceived as an elevated late-night dining venue — uncommon in Kyoto's largely casual after-hours scene — the restaurant offers a sophisticated ambience that fills a gap in the city and introduces a distinctive new option for night-time dining. 

The all-day French brasserie, reimagines Parisian café culture through the quiet elegance and craftsmanship of Kyoto, blending marble, herringbone floors and refined detailing with the serene, intentional, nature-focused sensibility of Japanese design. The space feels soft, luminous, and poetic, defined by columns inspired by Japanese ornamental language, pale woods, delicate woven textures, and subtle floral compositions that act as natural partitions. 

"At Capella Kyoto, every design decision serves a deeper purpose: to slow time, heighten awareness, and create space for cultural immersion that reveals the authentic spirit of place," says John Blanco, Cluster General Manager, Capella Kyoto. "The architecture and interiors don't merely frame experiences; they orchestrate a journey of discovery that honours both Kyoto's rich legacy and the intimate, bespoke hospitality that defines Capella."