October 23, 2026 — 5:00am

When Capella Kyoto opened in Japan in March, the message was clear: Kyoto’s architecture and cultural traditions would be celebrated in every detail – this would be a hotel of immersion in place.

More luxury hotels are scheduled to open this year and next, and follow the same playbook.

Chinese fine dining at Songtei Kyoto, the hotel located opposite Nijo Castle.

While spectacle is often the aim of luxury hotel developers no matter the location, Kyoto’s newest arrivals look to the city’s past for inspiration . It’s a restrained approach, but one that suits a destination that welcomed a record 62.79 million visitors in 2025, many drawn by the city’s remarkably preserved history and culture.

Among the most significant arrivals is Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La’s ultra-luxury addition opposite UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle.…