Cover Capella Kyoto, in Kyoto's historic Miyagawa-cho district
Capella Kyoto, in Kyoto's historic Miyagawa-cho district
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There's something really special about Capella Kyoto—from its thoughtful restoration of a former primary school to dining concepts that celebrate local traditions
As soon as Capella announced the opening of Capella Kyoto, it became one of the most anticipated openings of 2026: it’s set in the historic Miyagawa-cho district, steps from the Kaburenjo theatre, housed in a former elementary school reimagined by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Hotel geeks around the world, including myself, were intrigued.
But its first guests weren’t celebrities, press or influencers. Before opening to the public, the hotel hosted a private event for locals who grew up in the neighbourhood, many of whom attended the school that once occupied the building. It was a heartwarming event where old friends recalled fond memories of the space, recognising some areas of the hotel and standing in awe of how others had been transformed.
See also: Rediscovering the magic of Park Hyatt Tokyo with Alison El Azar
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First Impressions
Great hotels are thoughtful neighbours, and Capella Kyoto has made a conscious effort to be one. Architecturally, Kuma embraced the scale and material language of the neighbourhood’s traditional machiya townhouses. Outside, the building remains low-rise, at just four stories, with a subtle entrance to maintain visual continuity with the district.
Inside, the use of layered interiors, sliding lattice screens and a stunning internal courtyard encourages curiosity as you move through the hotel. Corridors narrow and widen gradually, shifting the ambiance as they guide guests through rooms that serve purpose and others that simply offer pause.
The art collection here is subtle, intentional and impressive: from nihonga and photography to modern sculptures by world-renowned artists like Louise Bourgeois, and fourth-generation bamboo master Tanabe Chikuunsai, who produced a large-scale looping bamboo installation for the hotel.
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The Rooms
Wood-lined surfaces and shoji screens appear throughout the hotel’s 89 guest rooms and suites, as do woven panels placed above the beds, crafted by avant-garde Okinawan artist Daichiro Shinjo in collaboration with Kyoto kimono textile maker Hosoo, a business that has existed since the 17th century.
My room had views of Kennin-ji, the oldest Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, which sits directly across the street—from the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s so close that you feel as though you’re hovering above its sloping roofs and stone pathways.
There are also six Onsen Suites, which have a natural onsen baths on a covered terrace with inward-facing views of a private manicured courtyard.
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Wine & Dine
Occupying one side of Capella Kyoto's internal courtyard is SoNoMa, the first international project from celebrated California restaurant Single Thread. The restaurant’s name is a bit of a double entendre: in English, it’s an obvious nod to the original; in Japanese, so no ma translates to “place of imagination”.
Here, Japanese American chef Keita Tominaga presents a seasonal tasting menu using produce from Kyoto and the surrounding Kansai region as well as the Single Thread founders’ Dry Creek Valley farm in Sonoma. On our visit, a stand-out dish was kegani gohan, a rich and velvety Hokkaido hairy crab claypot rice cooked with herb butter and dashi.
For something more casual, there's Yoi, an elevated take on local izakaya serving playful takes on favourites—the egg sando is wildly decadent. Open until midnight, it was designed for those who love to linger a little longer.
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Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
