Recommended Hotels in Kyoto for Design Enthusiasts

In Kyoto, where many noteworthy exhibitions and art festivals are held, we have highlighted notable accommodations that are particular about the design of their buildings and guest room items. Please check them out along with the hotels in the “Contemporary Art” edition of the article.

Ace Hotel Kyoto

Ace Hotel Kyoto, the first hotel in Asia for the Seattle, U.S.-based Ace Hotel, opened in 2020 in the Shinpukan commercial complex near Karasuma-Oike Station. The hotel was renovated in collaboration with architect Kengo Kuma and the LA-based design team Commune Design. The ceiling of the lobby, which is open to visitors other than hotel guests as a “community space,” features a wooden structure made of Kyoto’s cedar with countless small lights. In keeping with the concept of “East Meets West,” the design is an eye-catching combination of East and West. Visitors should also check out the exhibitions that cover a wide range of topics, from illustrations to environmental issues, as well as the DJ events and other projects that are held on a regular basis.

Address: 245-2 Kurumaya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://acehotel.com/kyoto/

Marufukuro

Marufukuro, which just opened in April 2022, focuses on the building. Under the design supervision of architect Tadao Ando, the hotel consists of an “existing building” that was renovated from the former Nintendo head office building completed in 1930 and a “newly constructed building” that was newly expanded. There are a total of 18 guest rooms, including seven suites. The hotel also has a restaurant “Carta.” with a space and menu designed by chef Ai Hosokawa, a lounge where you can enjoy light meals, and a “Library dNa” where you can learn about Nintendo’s history. The retro atmosphere of the architecture is sure to provide a luxurious experience.

Address: 342 Nishi-Irisenya-cho, Masa-dori Kamogawa, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://marufukuro.com/

The Reign Hotel Kyoto

The Reign Hotel Kyoto, a walk from Jujo Station, is a design hotel that focuses on the themes of sleep, food, and art. It opened in 2021 on a site near the Kamo River that was originally an art gallery. Under the supervision of Teruhiro Yanagihara, the rooms and restaurant feature Scandinavian interiors by Kvadrat, Hay, and Skagerak, and the logo and graphics unified with Scandinavian design, including those directed by All the Way to Paris of Denmark. The first-floor restaurant and cafe, also designed by Yanagihara, offers breakfast featuring traditional Danish cuisine and Kyoto ingredients. Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast before heading off to an art festival or museum.

Address: 67-1 Higashi Kujo Yanagishita-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://reignhotel.jp/en/

Hotel Tou Nishinotoin Kyoto

Hotel Tou Nishinitoin Kyoto is located within walking distance from Kyoto Station, between Nishi Honganji Temple and Higashi Honganji Temple. The hotel is intended to make visitors imagine a space that extends beyond the stones, through the “geiseki” stones placed in various locations. A diverse group of creators is involved in the design, artwork, and food direction, including Suppose Design Office, which supervises the space design by Makoto Tanijiri and Ai Yoshida, and Bach by Masataka Haba, who selects books for the library located in the lobby.

Address: 455 Nishinotoin-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://www.hotel-tou.com/en/

Maja Hotel Kyoto

Maja Hotel Kyoto, a capsule hotel designed by Finnish product designer Harri Koskinen, opened in 2019. It is located in the Kawaramachi area, near the Museum of Kyoto. The curtains and bedding in the guest rooms are textile patterns designed by Finnish designer Harri Kosnekin and produced by Marimekko. The café’s tableware is also united with Finnish items, including a selection of mainly Finnish Iittala tableware. The main store of Cafe Aalto, which is also attached to the cafe, was designed by Alvar Aalto, a leading architect of Scandinavian design. The Kyoto store, which is the first overseas branch of Cafe Aalto, uses desks and sofas designed by Aalto, bringing the atmosphere of the main store where customers can enjoy Aalto’s designs. Visitors can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Scandinavia while in Kyoto.

Address: 92 Tsuchiya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://maja-hotel.com/

Malda Kyoto

Malda Kyoto opened in 2018 and is located on Anekoji, a quiet street in Kyoto. The hotel allows guests to experience life surrounded by designer Jurgen Lehl’s brand Babaghuri. The building was renovated from a building across the street from Babaghuri Kyoto, in collaboration with architect Nobuyuki Fujimoto and the renovation group Coto. The hotel offers a wide range of Babaghuri items, from clothing and tableware to furniture and body care products, and each floor has only three rooms: Aka (red), Ao (blue), and Sumi (ink).

Address: 684 Marukimoki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://www.maldakyoto.com/

The Screen

The Screen, located near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, is a selectable hotel designed by Japanese and international creators, with 13 guest rooms designed by Asuka Irie, Kan Sano, Hare Design, Hideo Kubo, Hideyuki Nakayama, Yumi Toshima, Jotaro Saito, Naoki Ishibashi, Seishin Matsui, Mikitype, Haru., Rinran Tonda, and Tetsuei Nakamura. For example, Room No. 202 by Hideyuki Nakayama is based on the concept of a “nowhere garden. Trees and landscapes are painted on the walls in an ink painting style, and gray is the basic color of the space. Room No. 302, directed by Rinran Tonda, has an impressive bright orange living space and pastel-colored bed space. Each room at the hotel has its unique atmosphere, making choosing a room an enjoyable experience.

Address: 640-1 Shimogoryomae-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://www.screen-hotel.jp/

Mogana

Mogana, located near Nijo Castle, was designed by architect Takashi Yamaguchi. The name “Mogana” comes from the ancient Japanese word meaning “I wish I could be." The hotel features a full lineup of goods. The bath amenities are by Shigeta Paris; cushions, toothbrushes, and sandals are designed by Matohu; tableware is by Awabiware; loungewear is by Syale; and mugs are by Moheim. The room is equipped with a wide range of daily necessities and you are sure to find favorite items to incorporate into your daily life.

Address: 450 Tsuboya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://yadomogana.com/

Kyo no Ondokoro Nishijin Villa

Nishijin Villa, opened in 2019, is a 100-year-old two-story Kyoto machiya renovated by architect Yoshifumi Nakamura. Art pieces selected by Mina Perhonen designer Akira Minagawa are placed throughout the interior. A kitchen equipped with a wine cellar, a hiba bath overlooking the courtyard, and shower rooms flooded with natural light make this machiya inn the perfect place to spend a luxurious time in Kyoto.

Takeyacho has a gallery space, bakery, and café, and “Gosho Nishi” was created by the creative unit Graf. 

Address: 265-1, Katameya-cho, Imadegawa-sagaru, Jofukuji-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Kyo no Ondokoro: https://www.kyo-ondokoro.kyoto/
Kyo no Ondokoro Nishijin Villa: https://www.kyo-ondokoro.kyoto/facility/nishijin-villa.html

Higashiyama Shikikaboku

Higashiyama Shikikaboku, located right next to Higashiyama Station, is a luxury hotel that opened in 2019. The hotel was designed by architect Takafumi Kawakami and interior designer Masumi Kitayama, who are also the owners of the hotel. The guest rooms, which are inspired by the tea ceremony, avoid ornate decorations and use clay walls and Kyo karakami paper to create a tranquil space with a sense of wabi-sabi (the Japanese traditional aesthetic of quietness). Antique furniture, ceramics, and artwork are also used in the rooms. The view of Mount Hiei and nearby temples and shrines from the rooftop terrace will make you forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Address: 85-1 Imakoji-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
https://www.shikikaboku.jp/en/