A new luxury hotel, Capella Kyoto, is opening in Japan’s historic Miyagawa-cho district, aiming to seamlessly integrate into the centuries-old neighborhood known for its traditional wooden machiya townhouses. The design, led by architect Kengo Kuma (who also designed the 2020 Tokyo National Stadium), draws heavily from the surrounding architectural heritage.
Inspired by Ancient Kyoto
The hotel incorporates elements from nearby Kennin-ji temple, founded in 1202, most notably a distinctive Kara-hafu gable – a wavelike roofline historically reserved for temples and castles – that forms a focal point in the property’s enclosed courtyard. The interiors, by Brewin Design Office, utilize local materials such as cypress, cedar, bamboo, and Nishiki-ori silk to create a minimalist aesthetic that evokes the feeling of Kyoto rather than simply mimicking its appearance.
Guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, while the bathrooms include deep stone soaking tubs, paying homage to Japan’s onsen (hot spring) culture. The hotel’s restaurant, SoNoMa by SingleThread, is a collaboration with the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Healdsburg, California, offering a menu that blends regional Japanese agriculture with Northern California culinary techniques. Dishes include foraged vegetables and bamboo shoots paired with unique sauces made from soft tofu, lemon, and olive oil.
A Global Culinary Spring
Alongside the hotel opening, a new wave of cookbooks is emerging that focus on regional cuisines and cultural connections. The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook tours Indian and Sri Lankan spice farms, featuring recipes gathered from women working on those farms, such as Kerala-style squid and a turmeric-banana snacking cake. Anissa Helou’s Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland explores the country’s diverse culinary traditions tied to its religious communities, with a highlight on lubiyeh bit-zeyt, green beans in tomato sauce. Soomaaliya by Ifrah F. Ahmed showcases Somali dishes like cambuulo iyo bun (sweet adzuki beans with fried coffee beans) alongside vivid imagery of Mogadishu markets. Finally, Obsessed with the Best by Ella Quittner and La Copine: New California Cooking from an Oasis in the Desert explore ultimate cooking techniques through immersive culinary journeys in Rome, Alabama, and the California desert.
Capella Kyoto opens March 22, with rates starting at $2,500 per night. The hotel and these new cookbooks represent a trend toward immersive experiences that emphasize cultural connection and regional authenticity.
