Roku Kyoto — Photo by Hilton
Roku Kyoto — Photo by Hilton

When it opens in fall 2021, the ROKU KYOTO will be the first property in Asia under Hilton's luxury brand LXR Hotels & Resort. It will be operated by Tokyu Resorts & Stays Co., Ltd., a fully-owned subsidiary of Tokyu Land Corporation.

The origin of the name, "ROKU", is derived from the traditional craft of handmade Japanese paper and evocative of the natural beauty of the hotel's surroundings. During the Heian Period, the Kamiya River ("Kami" translates to "paper") flowing through the area was the source of water for papermaking, enhancing the symbolism of the name. Situated in a tranquil area along the foothills of the Takagamine Sanzan ("Three Mountains of Takagamine") within northern Kyoto, the resort will be part of the 28.6-acre Shozan Resort Kyoto, a luxury enclave currently home to some of Kyoto's most notable and idyllic Japanese gardens, historic architecture and authentic tea houses.

The Shozan Resort was developed from the concept that "beautiful things are born from a beautiful environment," a theme that rings true for the hotel and is aligned to the LXR promise of offering authentic and meaningful experiences native to the local destination, history and tradition. When it opens, the 114-room ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts will offer guests a bespoke experience of the area and enable them to immerse themselves in the deep charms of a Kyoto that still holds mystery for those visiting, with countless stories of history and culture steeped in an unconventional aesthetic. ROKU KYOTO will offer a soothing and refreshing stay, complete with fine cuisine that can only be experienced in Kyoto, various experiences and activities, spa treatments paired with natural hot springs, pool and fitness center facilities, and more.

"There is a distinct story behind every LXR property that builds on the promise of delivering personalized attention and luxurious, yet locally immersive, experiences for our guests. With the cultural threads that are woven through every part of the hotel - from the architecture to culinary experiences and the surrounding environment - combined with the unique identity of the hotel and backed by Hilton's expertise in delivering personalized experiences, I am confident ROKU KYOTO is perfectly placed to be the epitome of a peaceful retreat with a deep connection to the alluring city," said Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president of Luxury & Lifestyle, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

Leading the team into the hotel's opening is Yoshinori Nishihara, the newly appointed general manager who brings with him more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to his appointment, Nishihara was with the Palace Hotel Tokyo across a number of roles, including executive assistant manager and director of rooms where he honed his expertise in luxury hotel operations. Previously, he spent 14 years based in Japan and Singapore with Pegasus Solutions, overseeing the development of solutions for hotel reservations and distribution across Asia Pacific.

Hotel website