The Imperial Hotel, a cornerstone of Japanese hospitality since 1890, marks its 135th anniversary with an expansion into Kyoto. Founded by visionaries Eiichi Shibusawa and Kihachiro Okura, the Imperial Hotel was conceived as Japan’s premier accommodation for foreign dignitaries. Over the decades, it has hosted an impressive roster of guests, including Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and Babe Ruth, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
Imperial Hotel Blends Tradition and Innovation
The hotel’s Tokyo flagship, opened in 1890, has been a constant innovator. It introduced Japan’s first hotel wedding and the country’s first buffet-style restaurant, the Imperial Viking, in 1958. The property’s 909 guestrooms and suites continue to offer refined comfort, even as it undergoes a transformation as part of the Tokyo Cross Park Vision.
The Imperial Hotel, Kamikochi, nestled in the Japanese Alps, has been a seasonal retreat since 1933. With 74 guestrooms within Kamikochi National Park, it blends natural beauty with refined hospitality. The property recently launched a sustainability initiative focusing on carbon neutrality and food waste recycling.
Opened in 1996, the Imperial Hotel Osaka brings the brand’s sophistication to Western Japan. Its 378 guestrooms, located along the Okawa River, offer views of seasonal attractions such as the Tenjin Festival fireworks and spring cherry blossoms.
The most significant development in the hotel’s recent history is the upcoming opening of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, in Spring 2026. This project involves the meticulous restoration of the Yasaka Kaikan, a 1936 cultural landmark in Kyoto’s Gion district. The 55-room luxury hotel will preserve 16,387 original exterior tiles and employ traditional techniques in its renovation.
Designed by architect Tomoyuki Sakakida, the Kyoto property will feature three room styles—Preservation, Renovation and Extension—along with a spa, pool, dining venues, and a signature bar. In April 2025, the hotel joined The Leading Hotels of the World, solidifying its position among elite luxury properties.
As the company approaches its 150th anniversary in 2040, Chairman Hideya Sadayasu is steering the brand towards a future that balances innovation with cultural preservation. The expansion into Kyoto represents not just a new destination, but a reaffirmation of the Imperial Hotel’s commitment to offering guests meaningful, culturally rich experiences rooted in Japanese traditions.
“As we look toward the future, our goal is to create a new stage where the next generation of hotel staff can welcome guests with warmth, pride, and innovation,” said Chairman Sadayasu in a press statement. “Imperial Hotel, Kyoto embodies everything we stand for—timeless legacy, masterful craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of Japanese hospitality.”
For more information, visit imperialhotel.co.jp.
