An Exquisite Stay in Dialogue with History
On the north side of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle, a new luxury hotel — “Shangri-La Kyoto Nijojo” (tentative name) — is set to open. For the world-renowned luxury brand “Shangri-La,” this marks its second property in Japan after Tokyo (Marunouchi) and its first in the Kansai region.
Originally planned to open around 2024–2025, the project has been delayed due to landscape regulations and architectural coordination. According to official information from SL Japan Asset Management, the opening is now scheduled for 2026.
With an unparalleled location, spacious rooms averaging over 57㎡, and recognition under Kyoto City’s “High-Quality Accommodation Facility Promotion System,” the project has already drawn significant attention from both domestic and international audiences ahead of its official debut.
Highlights
An Unmatched Location Beside Nijo Castle
The greatest strength of “Shangri-La Kyoto Nijojo” lies in its rare location — directly north of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle. Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the castle is renowned for its exquisite Momoyama-style architecture and gardens. Very few hotels are located opposite this historical landmark, making this a uniquely privileged setting where guests can directly engage with Kyoto’s living history.
Moreover, the area is designated as both a “Historic Heritage Scenic District” and a “Scenic View Preservation Zone” by Kyoto City, meaning strict height and design restrictions apply. Rather than focusing solely on opulence, developers are embracing architecture that harmonizes with Kyoto’s historic landscape, resulting in a more refined and contextually sensitive design.
Room Design Balancing Spaciousness and Diversity
While the hotel will offer only 77 rooms, they range from a minimum of 50㎡ to suites exceeding 200㎡, with an average of about 57㎡ — among the largest in Kyoto. This is not merely a matter of size but also of spatial comfort and thoughtful flow, ensuring a luxurious sense of openness for every guest.
Community-Conscious Development
The project has been certified under Kyoto City’s “High-Quality Accommodation Facility Promotion System,” an initiative that prioritizes quality over quantity, encouraging developments that respect the city’s landscape, living environment, and culture.
The building’s height is limited to 14.995 meters, and its exterior design is carefully adjusted to blend seamlessly into the surrounding streetscape. Furthermore, the hotel’s operations emphasize coexistence with the local community, aiming to create a space that feels natural and unobtrusive for both visitors and residents.
Surroundings
Nijo Castle is just a few minutes’ walk away, allowing guests to enjoy the World Heritage gardens and architecture as part of their daily scenery. Other cultural landmarks such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Shinsenen are also nearby, placing the hotel at the heart of a rich cultural landscape.
The surrounding area is dotted with traditional machiya townhouses, long-established kaiseki restaurants, and artisan shops, seamlessly connecting the hotel stay with immersive local cultural experiences.
Access
Address: 536-71 Wara-cho, Takeyamachi-dori Omiya Higashi-iru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Nearest Station: Approximately 9 minutes on foot from “Nijojo-mae” Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line)
From Kyoto Station: About 10 minutes by taxi, or accessible via bus and other public transport.
Facility Overview
| Location | 536-71 Wara-cho, Takeyamachi-dori Omiya Higashi-iru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City |
|---|---|
| Floors | 4 floors above ground, 1 basement level |
| Guest Rooms | 77 rooms |
| Height | 14.995 m |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete (partially steel structure) |
| Site Area | 5,838.12㎡ |
| Building Area | 3,372.87㎡ |
| Total Floor Area | 12,050.85㎡ |
| Developer | SL Japan Asset Management Co., Ltd. |
| Designer | Taisei Corporation |
| Constructor | Taisei Corporation |
| Construction Start | 2023 |
| Completion | 2026 |
| Remarks | Following the opening of Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo in March 2009, this marks the brand’s return to Japan after approximately 15 years — its second domestic property and first in the Kansai region. |
Reference:
