IMPERIAL HOTEL KYOTO

Your Stage Awaits

Yasaka Kaikan,
once a sanctuary nestled beside the brilliance of Gion's performing arts,
begins a new chapter—revitalized, yet deeply rooted in its legacy.

Set to open in 2026 as the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto,
it welcomes you to a timeless retreat
where comfort takes center stage in every moment you spend.

Story

CHAPTER01inheritance

Uniting the finest artistry and technology, we breathe life into the timeless legacy of Gion

The Yasaka Kaikan, a stunning venue originally designed for theatrical performances, stands on the grounds of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, renowned for being where Miyako Odori—a seasonal event that heralds the arrival of spring in Kyoto—is performed. Skillfully incorporating the artistry of Japanese aesthetics, the building has long been a landmark of Gion and is cherished by the local community and visitors. Although it had fallen into disuse in large part due to aging and seismic issues, plans are underway for its revitalization as a hotel - Imperial Hotel, Kyoto in spring 2026. However, it is extremely difficult to reconstruct the building in a way that preserves the exterior that holds profound historical value while also adhering to the current Building Standards Act. Here, we will unveil the story of the inheritance, guided by Mr. Masahiro Inoue (Executive Manager of Architectural Design Department, Director of Traditional/Heritage Project Team, Obayashi Corporation).

Between Building Height Restrictions and Cultural Heritage

The Yasaka Kaikan, designed by Tokusaburo Kimura of Obayashi Corporation, an architect renowned for his mastery of theater architecture, features a multi-tiered roof and a tower-like front section. Its Japanese-inspired design forms part of the beautiful townscape of Gion. The building is designated as a registered tangible cultural property of Japan and a historic scenic building by Kyoto City. After nearly 90 years, the building had deteriorated and lacked adequate earthquake resistance. A revitalization project was launched to transform it into a hotel, involving the partial preservation of its frame, the expansion of two exterior walls, and compliance with the current Building Standards Act. However, several challenges had to be overcome before the project could be realized as Mr. Inoue of Obayashi Corporation's Design Division explains in the following:

The primary constraint was the height. The Gionmachi Minamigawa area, where the Yasaka Kaikan stands, is designated as a historic landscape preservation district because it is lined with wooden teahouse-style townhouses. Under the Kyoto City Ordinance, new buildings in this area are restricted to a height limit of 12 meters (40 feet) or less. In contrast, the Yasaka Kaikan, which was completed in 1936, rises to height of 31.5 meters (100 feet) far above the current limit. To preserve the iconic presence - cherished by both the local community and visitors - and to ensure its functionality as a hotel, we were committed to retaining its original height. This required us to seek special approval from the Council on Aesthetic and Landscape Design and the Landscape Review Board as an exceptional case. After extensive consultation, we proposed a design that would both renovate and expand the building, while preserving its long-cherished exterior by retaining the south and west exterior walls and structural elements, as seen from Gion's main street, Hanamikoji. The proposal was graciously accepted, with the building recognized for its refined form and its contribution to the area's historic townscape, allowing it to be rebuilt while retaining its original height.

One of the Keys to Success: Obayashi's Experience and the Relationship of Trust with Gion-machi

Experience and Comprehensive technical skill set are essential for preserving and restoring valuable historic buildings.

Obayashi Corporation has led numerous restoration and preservation projects, as well as the construction and renovation of new shrines and temples. Notably, in 1978, the company renovated the Nakagyo Post Office in Kyoto. This was a pioneering project of exterior wall preservation, in which the interior is newly constructed and only the exterior walls are retained. The current preservation of the outer walls of the Yasaka Kaikan represents a continuation of the legacy established through these earlier efforts. In March 2024, the company launched a dedicated project team for traditional architecture and heritage. Bringing together professionals from diverse fields such as design, construction, quality control, engineering, and sales, it reflects a company-wide commitment to cultural preservation. We are working on a project to preserve and restore historic buildings based on the collective knowledge that we have gained through our experiences to date.

This project to revitalize the Yasaka Kaikan as a hotel was also marked by unusual circumstances. Gion district is a unique place with many teahouses and traditional Japanese restaurants. Construction work had to be performed with exceptional care.

Gion is a town that becomes especially lively in the evening. Many places are closed in the morning, so the construction staff worked carefully to avoid making noise or vibrations. However, no matter how careful we were, we would inevitably make some noise as we worked. To gain a better understanding of the local community, we exchanged greetings when we met them and explained the progress of the construction work in detail. We also took various steps to become part of the local community, such as participating in local events that are regularly held in the Gionmachi Minamigawa area. Over time, the community came to appreciate these efforts, and encouraging words from residents began to flow in.

An Unprecedented Demolition While also Conduction Preservation Work in the Heart of Kyoto's Must-visit Spot

However, moving heavy machinery in and out of Gion district, where teahouses and traditional Japanese restaurants line the streets and are bustling with tourists even during the daytime on weekdays, was a real challenge.

The large heavy machinery used for the demolition was moved in and out of the area via Hanamikoji in the early morning when there were fewer people around. In other cases, the work was carried out along the one way street on the south side of the site. As the street was narrow, the vehicles were limited to a maximum weight of 4 tons. Since the renovation of Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, which is adjacent to the Yasaka Kaikan, also started at the same time, execution of the work involved extensive coordination and negotiations between the construction companies.

In this way, the process of demolishing while preserving the structure began. According to Mr. Inoue, “The biggest challenge was to demolish while preserving the two exterior walls on the west and south sides.” The structural design team led the temporary demolition plan, and the construction team was required to proceed with exceptional caution and care - a process described as extraordinarily time - consuming and demanding.

Due to the risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake, it was not feasible to demolish the building all at once and leave only the two walls to be preserved. The work proceeded by continuously reinforcing the inside of the building while demolishing the structure. Compared to a standard demolition and rebuild of similar scale, this project required significantly more time and effort. Therefore, it was essential to foster a thorough understanding among the local residents. Fortunately, the complexity and uniqueness of the project were featured in a TV program, which contributed to a broader public understanding of the initiative - the preservation of a landmark deeply valued by the local community. Following the broadcast, site manager and construction team said that communication with local residents was significantly smoother, and they were genuinely encouraged by the positive shift in local engagement.

Reusing the Exterior Tiles to Preserve the Historical Ambience of the Period

The Yasaka Kaikan was built without incurring debt, funded by contributions from the tea house association and the geisha association. To pass on the spirit and the atmosphere of that era, it was essential to preserve the original exterior design and materials.

For example, the tiles were carefully removed and reused without causing any damage, a method known as “capturing alive.” We scraped away the mortar and carefully inspected the tiles one by one before reusing them. As the tiles that had been exposed to the weather had become brittle, they were required to be handled with great delicacy to avoid breakage. In the end, we were able to secure around 16,000 tiles, about 10% of the total. I have nothing but respect for the craftsmen on site. The exterior walls of the tower on the south side, which is the hotel's symbol, and part of the west side still retain the original tiles from about 90 years ago, preserved with measures to prevent them from falling off. The remaining west and south sides have a mixture of reused and newly made tiles.

Exploring Similarities Between the Yasaka Kaikan and the Imperial Hotel Through the Terra cotta

Terra cotta, is a type of pottery that was popular for decorating buildings from the Taisho period (1912-1926) to the early Showa period (1926-1940s). The exterior walls of the fifth floor of the Yasaka Kaikan are decorated with terra cotta reliefs that have been there since the building opened in 1936, and most of them have been reused.

According to the records, the terra cotta reliefs were manufactured by Ina Seito (later renamed INAX, now known as LIXIL) in Tokoname City, Aichi. Those in good condition were carefully fixed and preserved, while those in poor condition were scanned in 3D and faithfully restored.

Interestingly enough, it was discovered that the bricks and terra cotta used in the second main building of the Imperial Hotel (commonly known as the Wright Imperial, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright) were also manufactured in Tokoname City. Moreover, many of the craftsmen who worked on the Wright Imperial were involved in the creation of the terra cotta at Yasaka Kaikan. There was a remarkable connection between the Yasaka Kaikan and the Imperial Hotel, that transcended time and space. Preserving the terra cotta of the Yasaka Kaikan was also a meaningful way of carrying forward the legacy of the Imperial Hotel.

The Surprising Relationship Between Architect Tokusaburo Kimura and Frank Lloyd Wright

There is an unexpected connection between the tiles of Yasaka Kaikan and the Imperial Hotel. At the center of this connection is Tokusaburo Kimura, the respected architect at Obayashi Corporation who designed the Yasaka Kaikan. Tracing his architectural journey revealed the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect of the Wright Imperial.

Kimura's design for the Shochikuza Theater in Osaka evokes the style of the American architect Louis Sullivan. The fact that the exterior walls are decorated with American-made terra cotta is also a distinctive feature. At the Pontocho Kaburenjo Theater in Kyoto, also designed by Kimura, the scratch tiles that were used that had originally been brought to Japan by Frank Lloyd Wright, a student of Sullivan, for the construction of the Wright Imperial. Therefore, the Yasaka Kaikan stands as the culmination of Kimura's work - one shaped by the influences of both Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Imperial Hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Yasaka Kaikan designed by Tokusaburo Kimura share a deep connection in terms of design and materials.

The Imperial Hotel and Its History and Culture: The Pleasure of Finding Peace in Kyoto

The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is scheduled for completion in October 2025, with the opening planned for spring 2026. Lastly, we asked Mr. Inoue, who has been leading this project, to share his thoughts on the charm of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto.

There are various remarkable aspects to this project, but from my perspective as architect, what strikes me is that it transforms a historically significant building into a hotel. In Europe, such adaptive reuses are quite common. After joining Obayashi Corporation, I studied design in the UK and was astonished to see that new construction and renovation were often handled side by side. Looking back now, I believe that experience broadened my perspective and helped me meaningfully engage with the academic involved in this project. It's hard to put into words what it feels like to engage with Kimura's blueprints - almost as if speaking across time. And that is precisely what makes the rebirth of the historic Yasaka Kaikan as a hotel so meaningful for future generations. I believe that the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, which inherits the timeless beauty of Gion, offers experiences unlike any other. I sincerely hope our guests will come and feel those precious moments for themselves.

releaseA Hotel Inheriting a History and a Culture
The New Kyoto Hotel Project to Preserve and Utilize Yasaka Kaikan

This Kyoto Project will mark the fourth establishment under the Imperial Hotel brand, continuing on from its hotels in Tokyo, Kamikochi and Osaka.
Located in Kyoto, the City of International Culture and Tourism representing Japan, the new hotel project will make use of the Yakasa Kaikan hall within the grounds of Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, which we believe will be very much in harmony with our corporate philosophy as well as our history of welcoming guests from around the world for over 130 years. By providing services with all the accumulated expertise we have cultivated to date, we will breathe new life into the Yakasa Kaikan hall that is so beloved in the area, as we also lift up the Imperial Hotel brand, weaving our way toward the future. The interior design will be taken on by Tomoyuki Sakakida of New Material Research Laboratory Co., Ltd.
The New Material Research Laboratory's proposal, based on the concept of "the old is new," was judged to be extremely compatible with this project, which aims to inherit historical and traditional values while also setting out to create new ones. The company has been selected as our partner in helping to create a new page for the Imperial Hotel.

©New Material Research Laboratory
Image of the completed entrance to the new hotel