Kyoto Station Kyoto, Japan
Renovated
2016
Price
$$
Rated for
Classic Design LocalOutside the door
The house
Rihga RoyalRevolving skyline stalwart
Wood-textured louvers and stone floors evoke Kyoto alleys inside this bustling hub, softening the energy near the city station.
What it’s good at
Notable
A revolving rooftop restaurant and sixteen event halls hosting Kyoto society gatherings since 1969.
Listed
Interiors feature Kira Karacho woodblock patterns, wood-textured bamboo louvers, and stone-paved lobby floors.
Listed
Traditional tatami suites, seasonal kaiseki by Tankuma Kitamise, and walking access to Nishi Hongan-ji Temple.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set along Horikawa-dori, the hotel sits seven minutes on foot from Kyoto Station and moments from the halls of Nishi Hongan-ji.
The rooms
Rooms pair custom Simmons mattresses and bamboo accents with subtle woodblock-printed karakami paper motifs across modern layouts.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The pool and gym
An indoor heated lap pool sits behind bamboo-slat screens alongside a glass-enclosed gym and a sauna.
Restaurant
Top of Kyoto
Kyoto's only revolving restaurant completes a full circle every ninety minutes on the fourteenth floor over French dishes.
At the table
Dining downstairs spans counter-side Omi wagyu at Teppan-yaki AOI to live cooking stations at all-day restaurant KAZA.
How it began
The property opened in 1969 as the Kyoto Grand Hotel for Expo '70 before a comprehensive contemporary redesign in 2016.
Good to know
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Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
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Kyoto
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.