Capella Kyoto will open on 22 March 2026, 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.  

Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Singapore-based Brewin Design Office, 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, and the ancient rhythms of Gion very much alive. 

A MODERN-DAY MACHIYA 

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 Japan. Every detail—from the unseen artistry embedded in the architecture to the most personal moments of service—reflects our belief that true luxury is the feeling of being deeply cared for, and being profoundly connected to a place and its living culture. Together, our properties are a heartfelt expression of Japanese culture that's shaped by a genuine embrace of its traditions, people, and spirit.” 

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 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, and a defining symbol of the kagai. Now restored and reopened, it remains a working theatre and Capella guests are among the rare few granted front-row access to its performances, an encounter with one of Kyoto's most closely guarded living traditions.  

ACCOMMODATIONS 

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 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. From both the bedroom and the lounge, guests look out over the pagodas and rooftops of Higashiyama, with the iconic five-tiered silhouette of Yasaka Pagoda visible against the mountain ridge. The suite's elevation above Miyagawa-cho also places guests at the best vantage point for one of Gion's most elusive sights: geiko and maiko, dressed for the evening, making their way through the laneway below to the ochaya where they are engaged.  

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). Helming the restaurant is Chef Keita Tominaga, who will celebrate the seasonal agriculture of both Kyoto's Kansai region and California's Dry Creek Valley through the lens of local farmers and craftspeople.  

SingleThread Entremets, a dedicated patisserie programme led by Executive Pastry Chef Emma Horowitz and Chef Miu Morita, formerly of Michelin Three-Star L'Effervescence in Tokyo, offers seasonal confections for onsite enjoyment or packaged takeaway. 

Yoi is a late-night dining destination offering kappo with a modern twist — a refreshing concept in Kyoto's largely casual after-hours scene. The soul of Kyoto is revealed through one of Japan's intimate dining traditions, where chefs prepare and present seasonal dishes directly before their guests — elevated here by innovative handcrafted cocktails. The space itself honours the local community through reclaimed timber and lighting fixtures sourced from the former Shinmichi Elementary School, quietly preserving the memory of the neighbourhood's past. 

Lanterne, the all-day French brasserie, reimagines Parisian café culture through Kyoto's quiet craftsmanship, blending marble, herringbone floors, and pale woods 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. Signature treatments draw from both Japanese tradition and contemporary wellness practices, offering guests pathways to restoration that are rooted in the rhythms of the ancient city. 

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. Front-row seats at the revived Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre—the historic home of Kyoto's geiko and maiko, and for generations the private heart of the kagai—allow guests to witness the classical performing arts in the intimate surroundings where they are still taught and practised today. A private ochaya encounter offers a more personal audience with a maiko, in a teahouse that remains by-invitation only. A visit to a 150-year-old sandal atelier offers the chance to commission a bespoke pair, made by hand in the manner of old Gion. And a kintsugi workshop led by an urushi lacquerware master reveals the Japanese art of repairing what is broken—making it, in the process, more beautiful than before. 

“WHISPERS OF GION” OPENING PACKAGE 

Capella Kyoto welcomes bookings from 22 March 2026. The “Whispers of Gion” opening package includes: 

• Breakfast for two at “Lanterne” 

• Hotel Credit: JPY 10,000 (Deluxe and Premium Rooms), JPY 20,000 (Junior Suite, Onsen Suite, Gion Suite, Capella Suite) per stay 

• Curated gift from Capella Kyoto  

Rates start from JPY 394,200 for two pax, inclusive of taxes and service charges. Bookings available at www.capellahotels.com/kyoto.  

-ENDS-

High-res images can be downloaded here. 

MEDIA CONTACT 

Cuili NG 

Corporate Director, Communications 

Capella Hotel Group 

cuili.ng@capellahotelgroup.com 

ABOUT CAPELLA HOTEL GROUP 

Capella Hotel Group elevates hospitality through stewardship and artistry. From Singapore, our two luxury brands—Capella Hotels and Resorts and Patina Hotels & Resorts—transform heritage sites into living culture and conscious travel into meaningful connection. Recognised globally for excellence, we craft hospitality icons and embed care for people and place throughout our portfolio. www.capellahotelgroup.com 

ABOUT CAPELLA HOTELS AND RESORTS 

Capella Hotels and Resorts embodies excellence in the craft of hospitality. Our constellation spans Asia Pacific with future openings in the Middle East and Europe. Each property is a custodian of heritage, reflecting meticulous restoration and unseen artistry to offer experiences that illuminate travel. Auriga Spa, our signature wellness sanctuary inspired by lunar cycles, brings holistic wellbeing to each destination. Named Best Hotel Brand by Travel + Leisure for three consecutive years, Capella combines the highest levels of craftsmanship with personalised service to create bespoke luxury. Capella Hotels and Resorts is a proud member of GHA DISCOVERY. www.capellahotels.com 

ABOUT CAPELLA KYOTO 

Capella Kyoto claims Kyoto's rarest address within Miyagawa-cho, the living geisha district at the cultural heart of Gion, opposite the 800-year-old Zen temple Kenninji and steps from the Kamo River where kabuki was born. Kengo Kuma and Brewin Design Office reimagine the traditional machiya townhouse, rising alongside the Kaburenjo Theatre. Drawing on the city's 1,200-year heritage, this 89-room sanctuary reflects the deeply personal approach that defines Capella. Six suites feature private onsens, while the Auriga Spa draws on rejuvenating rituals. An extensive modern art collection and cultural experiences celebrate living traditions, complemented by SoNoMa by SingleThread, French brasserie Lanterne, and Yoi Japanese restaurant. 

ABOUT KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES 

Founded in 1990 by architect Kengo Kuma, Kengo Kuma & Associates is an international architectural practice  based in Tokyo, Japan. The firm is renowned for its innovative approach that harmonises contemporary design with traditional Japanese aesthetics, emphasising natural materials, lightness, and integration with the surrounding environment. The office engages in a wide range of projects, including cultural facilities, commercial   and residential buildings, urban design, and exhibitions. With a philosophy centered on creating architecture that connects people, nature, and context, Kengo Kuma & Associates has received numerous awards and global recognition, contributing to the discourse on contemporary architecture worldwide. 

ABOUT BREWIN DESIGN OFFICE  

Founded in Singapore, Brewin Design Office is an interdisciplinary design studio driven by a commitment to high-quality design and recognised for its contextual sensitivity and detailed craftsmanship. Capella Kyoto marks the firm's first project in Japan, a culmination of its ongoing exploration into material culture, narrative design, and the considered connection between architecture and interior. 

ABOUT SINGLETHREAD

The first and only Three Michelin-starred restaurant in Sonoma County, a recipient of the World's 50 Best Restaurants' “Miele One to Watch" Award and ranked #8 on the 2025 World's 50 Best North American Restaurants list, and La Liste's rated #1 Best Restaurants in the world, SingleThread is a farm-driven restaurant and inn that offers a unique and authentic taste of the region and season. SingleThread was born out of Kyle and Katina Connaughton's California upbringing and extensive international travels and experiences living and cooking abroad in world-renowned restaurants in the UK and Japan. Their philosophy is rooted in a wealth of Japanese principles and traditions surrounding hospitality, food culture and service while focusing on the seasons, their farm, the products of Sonoma, and the health and wellness of their guests. Together with SingleThread Co-Owner and CEO of Vertice Hospitality Management Tony Greenberg, their goal is to evoke an authentic experience of their Sonoma lifestyle which combines the art of sustainable agriculture with culinary excellence, fully integrating the farm into its hospitality spaces, with food sourcing and storytelling at the forefront.