Kyoto rising: Several ultraluxe hotel openings offer elite access to the enchanting city
Kyoto has seen a surge in popularity since Japan reopened after the pandemic, drawing travelers eager to experience its historic temples, geisha districts, and traditional culture. In response, several new ultraluxury hotels, including Capella Kyoto and Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto, have opened with exclusive amenities like private onsens and high-end dining. These properties cater to affluent travelers seeking privacy, elite access, and immersive cultural experiences in one of Japan’s most iconic cities.
- ▪Capella Kyoto opened in March 2026 in the Miyagawa-chō geisha district, offering 89 rooms starting near $2,500 per night and featuring a hot spring-fed onsen sourced from 2,985 feet underground.
- ▪Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto, which opened in 2020, was the first in the city to develop private onsen suites using deep-drilled thermal waters and holds three Michelin keys.
- ▪Both Capella and Mitsui integrate traditional Japanese architecture and design with modern luxury, offering guests access to private gardens, cultural experiences, and exclusive reservations.
- ▪Luxury travel advisors note increasing demand for high-end accommodations in Kyoto due to limited availability and the desire for privacy, especially during peak seasons like cherry blossom.
- ▪Capella Kyoto’s Auriga Spa includes three private onsen rooms and lunar-inspired wellness rituals, catering to guests seeking discretion, including those with tattoos or from the LGBTQ community.
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Travel alexa Kyoto rising: Several ultraluxe hotel openings offer elite access to the enchanting city By Christopher Cameron Published April 30, 2026, 7:00 a.m. ET Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji temple beckons travelers longing to explore Japan's rich history. Planet One Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Until Japan’s capital was moved to Tokyo in 1869, the country’s emperors ruled from Kyoto’s Imperial Palace for 11 centuries. During that millennium, the city flowered with dozens of shrines, temples and castles built in a rhapsodic variety of East Asian vernaculars: some meditative and simple, some with towering Chinese-style pagodas, others wrapped in gold. No wonder so many travelers flock to Kyoto.
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