Hotel Chourakukan
Kyoto, Japan
Hotel Chourakukan
604 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0071 Original Property Opened in 1909 Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2026Housed within two connecting buildings beside Maruyama Park in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, Hotel Chourakukan offers an intimate, adults-only experience. Hotel Chourakukan was designed by American architect James McDonald Gardiner and completed in 1909 for industrialist Kichibei Murai. The grand Western-style mansion features a Renaissance Revival-style exterior. Its interior was influenced by Rococo, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Chinese, and Japanese design. Its six guestrooms are in the annex, while the historic main building, known as Honkan, houses its dining venues and public spaces. The mansion and many of its furnishings were designated a Tangible Cultural Property by the City of Kyoto in 1986 and were later elevated to National Important Cultural Property in December 2024.
Discover
- Discover Honkan, a 1909 mansion designated as a National Important Cultural Property in December 2024. The historic main building now houses Hotel Chourakukan’s restaurants, café, bar, boutique, and public spaces.
- View Baccarat chandeliers, antique furnishings, decorative ceilings, and rooms shaped by several Japanese and Western design styles. Individual rooms feature elements of Rococo, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Chinese, and Japanese design.
- Learn how American architect James McDonald Gardiner designed the mansion for industrialist Kichibei Murai. Japan's first prime minister, Hirobumi Ito, later gave Chourakukan its name during a visit in 1909. The name referred to the long-lasting enjoyment of those who visited the mansion.
Explore
- Explore neighboring Maruyama Park before continuing into the nearby Gion district. Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government, the park is known for its cherry blossoms in spring and seasonal foliage throughout the year.
- Visit Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in Temple, Kodai-ji Temple, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. These historic landmarks are among the many temples and shrines located near Hotel Chourakukan.
- Visit the Kyoto National Museum to explore Japanese art and cultural artifacts, view works by local artists at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, and experience traditional kabuki performances at Minamiza Kabuki Theatre.
Experience
- Guests can request a private tour at the front desk of the historic hotel’s main building, Honkan, led by hotel staff. The experience provides a closer look at Honkan's history, architecture, antique furnishings, and interior design.
- Reserve a private guided visit to nearby temples and shrines or arrange a chartered taxi sightseeing tour. These experiences offer visitors a more personalized way to explore Kyoto and its cultural landmarks.
- Request a geiko/maiko (geisha) experience in a traditional Japanese-style room inside Honkan that is not normally open to the public. This private cultural experience is subject to availability and must be confirmed in advance.
Taste
- Enjoy the classical French cuisine prepared with ingredients from Kyoto and Shiga at Le Chêne. The restaurant is located in a Neoclassical dining room brightly lit by a Baccarat chandelier.
- Make a reservation for English-style afternoon tea and seasonal pastries at Dessert Café Chourakukan. Guests can also enjoy Hotel Chourakukan's original house-blended coffee.
- Sample Madeira wine at Library Bar Madeira, which offers more than 100 varieties of Madeira wine. Take homemade confections from Chourakukan Boutique which features cakes, cookies, jams, and other sweets.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.
