Imperial Hotel, Kyoto introduces four new dining experiences
- Kaitlyn Nicholas
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Kyoto is about to welcome one of its most anticipated new hotels. This March, Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is opening in the heart of Gion as an intimate 55-room retreat within the restored Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property first completed in 1936.
The debut introduces four distinct dining destinations—REN, YASAKA, OLD IMPERIAL BAR, and THE ROOFTOP—each designed to follow Kyoto’s seasonal rhythm, carrying guests from quiet morning rituals through candlelit evenings above the city’s most storied streets.
REN is an 18-seat restaurant centered around a 10-seat chef’s counter, where guests engage directly with the cooking process. Led by Executive Chef Koji Imajo, the restaurant applies classical French technique to ingredients selected according to Japan’s twenty-four solar terms, allowing menus to shift frequently in response to the calendar. Imajo joined Imperial Hotel in 1996, trained extensively in France, and was appointed head chef of the Kyoto property in 2025. At REN, the counter format places emphasis on timing, temperature, and texture, with dishes prepared and finished in front of guests.
YASAKA operates as the hotel’s all-day dining venue, seating 54 guests on the second floor. The space centers on a custom wood- and charcoal-fired oven, which informs the menu across breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner service. Signature offerings include the Yasaka Burger and Yasaka Curry, both drawing subtle smokiness from the grill. A preserved Bashō relief from the original Yasaka Kaikan has been reinstated within the dining room, maintaining a tangible link to the building’s earlier life.
OLD IMPERIAL BAR occupies the seventh floor and seats 19 guests. The bar’s design references the former Wright Building of the Imperial Hotel, with a long counter carved from a single slab of zelkova wood positioned to overlook the surrounding cityscape. The cocktail program balances established classics with drinks developed using local influences, including Mount Hiei, a matcha-based interpretation inspired by the historic Mount Fuji cocktail.
THE ROOFTOP is reserved exclusively for registered hotel guests and operates seasonally from late March through late November. Seating 24, the open-air terrace sits at the heart of Gion and is accessed via a dedicated staircase from the seventh floor. During periods of inclement weather or outside the operating season, guests are directed to OLD IMPERIAL BAR.
Oversight of the hotel’s dining portfolio falls to Executive Chef Imajo alongside Food and Beverage Manager Yuto Jindo, who manages service standards and concept execution across all four venues. Together, they coordinate menu development, pacing, and guest experience to ensure each space functions independently while aligning with the hotel’s overall approach.
Beyond its restaurants and bars, the property integrates restored architectural elements of the Yasaka Kaikan with updated interiors that emphasize material consistency and restraint. Public areas and guest rooms incorporate Japanese marble, Ōya stone, Tamina-ishi, crafted woodwork, and tatami flooring in the North Wing, resulting in a palette of warm woods, neutral tones, and subtle metallic finishes. The hotel joined The Leading Hotels of the World collection in April 2025.
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto opens Thursday, March 5, 2026. Reservations for REN and YASAKA began earlier this month for Imperial Club International members, with general reservations now available. OLD IMPERIAL BAR and THE ROOFTOP are accessible exclusively to registered hotel guests.
