At the crossing of Kyoto’s two subway lines, Ace Hotel Kyoto is our boutique pick in the Kyoto hotel comparison: Ace’s first hotel in Asia, set partly inside the 1926 former Kyoto Central Telephone Office and redesigned with architect Kengo Kuma and Commune Design. Here’s what to expect from the rooms, the lobby scene and the location, and who will like it most.
📢 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Booking.com. If you book through our links, The Wandering Adventurer earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting independent travel content!
🗓 Quick Facts: Ace Hotel Kyoto
| Category | Boutique |
| Neighborhood | Karasuma Oike, Nakagyo |
| Opened | June 2020, Ace’s first hotel in Asia |
| Building | Shin-Puh-Kan complex: the 1926 Kyoto Central Telephone Office (by Tetsuro Yoshida) plus a new wing, redesigned by Kengo Kuma with Commune Design |
| Rooms | 213, including historic rooms and suites in the old telephone office; Ace Suite about 78 sq m |
| In-house | Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Kōsa, PIOPIKO, Mr. Maurice’s Italian, shops |
| Getting around | Direct connection to Karasuma Oike Station; about 6 min by subway (3 stops) to JR Kyoto Station |
🎟️ Check Rates and Availability
🏨 The Rooms
The design is “East meets West”: Japanese crafts and artwork alongside vintage furniture and handmade details, in a hotel that feels casual rather than formal. Some rooms have TEAC turntables. Most rooms are in the new wing, which Kuma designed as a modern take on a machiya townhouse, with Deluxe rooms on the top floors for city views. The old telephone-office building holds the Historic King and Historic Twin rooms plus the Tatami, Ace and Loft suites, with the Ace Suite at about 78 square metres.
💡 Insider Tip: If staying in the original 1926 building matters to you, book one of the Historic room or suite categories rather than just requesting it.
🎟️ Check Rates and Availability
🍽️ Coffee, Restaurants & the Lobby Scene
Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Japan’s first Stumptown, sits on the ground floor next to a communal work table where locals set up with laptops. The hotel also has three restaurants: Kōsa, a modern Japanese steakhouse; PIOPIKO for tacos and cocktails; and Mr. Maurice’s Italian, a rooftop Italian-American spot with wood-fired pizza. It’s a hotel where the lobby is part of the neighborhood, not a quiet back room.
💡 Insider Tip: You don’t have to stay here to enjoy it. A coffee at Stumptown is an easy stop if you’re exploring downtown.
🗺️ The Neighborhood: Karasuma Oike
The hotel sits at the corner of Karasuma and Oike streets, directly connected to Karasuma Oike Station, where the Karasuma and Tozai subway lines meet. That puts you about 6 minutes by subway from JR Kyoto Station. Nishiki Market is about a 12-minute walk, and the Kamo River at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge is about 10 minutes on foot.
💡 Insider Tip: Coming from Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Line three stops to Karasuma Oike. The hotel connects directly to the station’s south side, so you don’t need to go outside.
✅ Who It’s Best For
- Design lovers who want a hotel with a real point of view
- Travelers who want to be central and rely on the subway
- Guests who enjoy a social lobby with good coffee
- Anyone curious about Kengo Kuma’s work and Kyoto’s 1920s architecture
📋 Know Before You Book
Ace Hotel Kyoto has a lively, social atmosphere rather than a hushed luxury-hotel feel, with locals in the lobby and busy restaurants. Most rooms are in the new wing, so book a Historic category if you want to stay in the original 1926 building. The direct subway connection makes it easy to get around without taxis.
❓ Ace Hotel Kyoto FAQ
When did Ace Hotel Kyoto open?
June 2020, as Ace’s first hotel in Asia.
How many rooms does it have?
213 in total, mostly in the new wing, plus historic rooms and suites in the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office.
How do I get there from Kyoto Station?
Take the Karasuma subway line three stops (about 6 minutes) to Karasuma Oike Station, which connects directly to the hotel.
Is there coffee on site?
Yes, Stumptown Coffee Roasters on the ground floor, the brand’s first café in Japan.
Is it close to Nishiki Market?
Yes, Nishiki Market is about a 12-minute walk, and Kawaramachi Street is also within walking distance.
🎟️ Check Rates and Availability
Plan the Rest of Your Kyoto Trip
Comparing Ace Hotel Kyoto against Kyoto’s other top picks? Here’s everything else you need.
This post contains affiliate links to Booking.com. The Wandering Adventurer may earn a small commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Leave a Reply