First Banyan Tree Hotel to open in Kyoto

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has chosen Kyoto City as the location of their first hotel in Japan. 

Read more


Owner ignores heritage listing, plans to demolish significant Kyoto machiya

On February 1, Kyoto City issued a warning to the owner of a city-designed historic home after learning about plans for its sale and demolition or relocation. This is the first time the city has had to issue a warning to a property owner. 

Read more


Aman to open Kyoto hotel in November

On February 5, Aman Resorts International announced that they will open Aman Kyoto on November 1, 2019. This will be the third Aman hotel to open in Japan. Aman had been eyeing Kyoto as a key destination for the hotel brand since 2006.

Read more


First Cabin to open ryokan-style accommodation in Kyoto machiya

First Cabin, a Tokyo-based developer and operator of capsule-style accommodation across Japan, announced plans to open a cabin-style hotel in a traditional machiya-style townhouse in Kyoto. The new hotel will open on March 28, 2019. 

Read more


Kyoto’s emerging IT sector

More and more Tokyo-based software companies are establishing a presence in Kyoto city in an attempt to grab local talent. Tokyo has become a highly competitive market for sourcing young graduates, making Kyoto, with its many reputable universities, a hot spot for hiring. 

Read more


Keihan Real Estate to develop machiya guesthouses in Kyoto

On December 6, Keihan Real Estate announced plans to enter the machiya guesthouse business in Kyoto City. The company, along with Tokyo-based real estate flipper Intellex, plans to invest 2 billion Yen (approx. 18 million USD) in restoring 10 guesthouses over the next year.

Read more


Imperial Hotel sets its sights on Kyoto

On November 28 it was reported that Imperial Hotel, Ltd. is looking to open an Imperial Hotel in Kyoto City. A major contender for the new hotel is the historic 82-year old Yasaka Kaikan building in the Gion district.

Read more