The Capella Kyoto hotel (130 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), scheduled to open in spring 2026, has announced its interior and exterior design concepts.
The hotel is located on the east bank of the Kamo River near Kenninji Temple, with a total of 89 rooms. This will be Capella Hotels & Resorts’ first entry into Japan. The exterior design has already been unveiled, and a new design concept centered on the interior has been revealed.
The architecture was designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates. The building was designed with an emphasis on a low-rise configuration, including a narrow alley at the entrance, in order to harmonize with the Kyoto cityscape. The courtyard is designed to enjoy the sound of water with a karahafu roof, which is used at the Kabuki-za Theater and other theaters.
The interior design, handled by Brewin Design Office, is based on the textures and tactile qualities of Japanese paper and ceramics. The guest rooms are designed in a reinterpretation of machiya houses, with the key point being the design of depth. The “living room,” a shared space, will be illuminated with Japanese paper in the style of an andon (paper lantern).
The signature restaurant will incorporate the design of a teahouse and consist of a counter and lounge bar. There will also be a Japanese restaurant that utilizes wood from an elementary school that once stood on the hotel grounds, and a French brasserie that matches the Parisian café culture with Kyoto’s unique space.
© Source travel watch