Capella Kyoto to open in geisha district this March

Set in Kyoto’s historic geisha district and designed by Kengo Kuma, the 89-room hotel will open as cherry blossom season begins, marking Capella’s first property in Japan

Capella Hotels and Resorts will open Capella Kyoto on 22 March 2026, bringing the Singapore-based luxury brand to Japan for the first time. Located in Miyagawa-cho – one of Kyoto’s five historic kagai (geisha districts) – the hotel sits steps from Kenninji Temple and the Kamo River, within walking distance of Gion’s narrow lanes and traditional ochaya teahouses.

Design

Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates alongside Singapore-based Brewin Design Office, the four-storey, 89-room property draws inspiration from Kyoto’s traditional machiya townhouses, with a sequence of alleyways, thresholds and hidden gardens – rather than a single building.

Clive Edwards, Senior Vice President, Operations, said the brand had been deliberate about its entry into Japan. “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,” he said.

The hotel occupies the former site of Shinmichi Elementary School and forms part of a broader redevelopment along Shinmichi Street, which also includes the restored Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre and a new community centre.

Local Experiences

At the centre of the precinct is the Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre, historically the training ground of Kyoto’s geiko and maiko. Now restored and reopened, the working theatre will host performances to which Capella guests are granted access through the hotel’s cultural programming.

The proximity places guests within one of Kyoto’s most closely guarded living traditions, with opportunities to attend performances or private ochaya encounters arranged via the hotel’s “Capella Curates” program.

Accommodation

Accommodation ranges from Deluxe City Rooms to the 206-square-metre Capella Suite, which occupies the top floor and overlooks the Higashiyama skyline. From its elevated position above Miyagawa-cho, the suite frames views of pagodas and rooftops, including the five-tiered Yasaka Pagoda set against the mountain ridge.

The Premier Theatre Rooms look directly onto the Kaburenjo, and two Gion Suites have views towards Kenninji Temple. Six Onsen Suites feature private hot spring baths, reflecting Japan’s enduring onsen culture within an urban setting.

Dining

Capella Kyoto’s culinary offering will be headlined by SoNoMa by SingleThread, created in partnership with SingleThread, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Sonoma founded by Kyle and Katina Connaughton.

The restaurant will feature a 12-seat counter and 20-seat lounge bar styled after a traditional ochaya. Chef Keita Tominaga will lead the kitchen, drawing on seasonal produce from Kyoto’s Kansai region alongside influences from California’s Dry Creek Valley.

Additional dining venues include Yoi, a late-night kappo-style restaurant; Lanterne, an all-day French brasserie interpreted through Japanese craftsmanship; and SingleThread Entremets, a dedicated patisserie program.

Spa and Experiences

Wellness will centre on the brand’s Auriga Spa, with three private onsen rooms, wet and dry saunas, four treatment rooms and a fitness centre. Treatments are designed to reflect both Japanese ritual and contemporary practice.

Through “Capella Curates”, guests will have access to a range of cultural experiences, including theatre performances, private ochaya visits, artisan workshops and encounters with Kyoto craftspeople.

Capella Tokyo will open on 22 March 2026 in time for cherry blossom season – Japan’s busiest tourism period.

The details

Rates at Masiya’s Camp start from ZAR 52,500 (about AU$4,510) per person, inclusive of luxury accommodation, all meals and beverages, and two daily game drives. The camp is now open for reservations. theroyalportfolio.com