Every spring in Kyoto, over 500 individuals dressed in historical attire walk through the streets as part of the Aoi Matsuri festival, an event tracing its origins back to the 6th century. After nearly 1,500 years, Aoi Matsuri continues to be one of Kyoto’s cherished yearly celebrations—though this is merely one among numerous festivities hosted within the city annually.
During Gion Matsuri, spanning all of July, residents are invited to put on lightweight summer yukatas and enjoy local brews along with various street foods while taking in elaborate parades featuring vibrant float displays. In contrast to the crowded and occasionally overwhelming thoroughfares found in Tokyo—the globe’s most populous metropolis—Kyoto radiates tranquility, a peaceful ambiance that adds profound significance to such distinctive occasions.
Lift the veil from the city’s conventional facade, and you’ll discover modern influences too: a railway hub reminiscent of Blade Runner, brimming with captivating digital displays; an energetic contemporary art gallery circuit; and a growing fusion of past and present that fuels creativity among local artists and international corporations alike. On June 2nd, Chanel unveiled its newest high jewelry line titled “Reach for the Stars” at this location. Similarly, Dior also showcased their work here.
presented a sophisticated pre-fall 2025 collection
In April at the Tō-ji Temple gardens, an extravagant event took place. This gathering was partly influenced by a previous visit to Kyoto by former creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri during autumn. Drawing inspiration from 15th and 16th century Japanese design imagery, her collection also involved collaboration with the traditional Japanese textile firm Tatsumura Textile Co.
Kyoto is a city filled with temples, shrines, and gardens, attracting global tourists each year during the peak cherry blossom season. Here, one can also observe geishas walking through the historic Gion neighborhood. While you will encounter modern Japanese retail experiences, numerous traditional gems remain intact. For Toshiyuki Matsubayashi—a distinguished potter and the 16th-generation head of Asahiyaki, a prestigious pottery studio based in Kyoto—the distinctive feature of this city lies in how its heritage isn’t just maintained; instead, it’s honored as a vital component of everyday living. This fusion between historical elements and current realms such as design, visual arts, and lodging contributes significantly to sustaining his family-run enterprise which dates back four centuries. Today, his atelier provides select visitors staying at the Park Hyatt Kyoto access to exclusive workshops, offering insights into age-old techniques that would have seemed unimaginable about a century earlier.
The hospitality sector is undergoing a revival, which contributes to the significant increase reported by luxury travel advisor group Virtuoso; their reservations for Kyoto in 2024 surged by 115% compared to the previous year. This surge aligns with broader trends: visitor numbers to Japan increased by 47% between 2023 and 2024, making it the top destination highlighted in a report by Titan Travel. Traditionally, Kyoto has been recognized for its ryokans—traditional guesthouses featuring sliding paper partitions, straw-mat flooring, and shared hot springs. However, this image transformed following the opening of the Ace Hotel Kyoto in 2020. The establishment revamped the former Kyoto Central Telephone Exchange building under the direction of renowned Japanese architect firm Kengo Kuma & Associates alongside L.A.-based design studio Commune Design. This development marks one among many high-profile global hotel chains entering the market as they expand into new territories at an accelerated pace.
Last year saw the debut of The Six Senses Kyoto within the well-preserved historical area of Higashiyama. It has enriched its top-tier wellness offerings with distinctively Japanese elements—their spa includes an Alchemy Bar allowing visitors to create personalized skincare products using components aligned with Japan’s 24 sekki, which represent subtle seasonal changes. Also inaugurated recently was the nearby Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, constructed so as to harmonize seamlessly with Kyotos hilly backdrop; this establishment boasts being the city’s initial hotel equipped with an internal Noh theater space. In autumn, anticipation builds for the launch of the dazzling Capella Kyoto, crafted by architects from Kengo Kuma & Associates alongside Brewin Design Office. Its aesthetic draws inspiration from principles of wabi-sabi and traditional Zen garden designs.
One of the highlights for next year will undoubtedly be the unveiling of the thoroughly refurbished and revamped Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, operated by the renowned Japanese hospitality company Imperial Hotel, Ltd. This property is set within the historically significant Yasaka Kaikan building—a venue with roots as a theater where geishas along with their apprentice maikos used to perform. For this project, Obayashi Corporation has been tasked with managing the construction phase, whereas the interiors will be crafted by New Material Research Laboratory Co., an innovative Japanese outfit known for integrating conventional Japanese techniques and organic elements into contemporary designs. In essence, they aim to make something old feel entirely fresh again at the new Imperial location.
This tale appears in the Summer 2025 edition of ELLE.
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