Imperial Hotel, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Reiko Sakata has been appointed General Manager of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, scheduled to open in spring 2026. In addition, the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto joined The Leading Hotels of the World, the largest collection of independent luxury hotels on April 1, 2025.
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is a hotel that will preserve and integrate the Yasaka Kaikan, originally built in 1936 as a theater and has long been cherished as a gathering place for the local community. This legendary landmark is a national tangible cultural property and stands on the grounds of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo.
– Reiko Sakata is appointed General Manager of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto
Sakata joined Imperial Hotel, Ltd. in 2003 and began her career in wedding planning, later serving as Deputy Manager of Human Resources. She was named Director of Weddings in 2020, Director of Kyoto Preparatory Office in 2024, and she assumed the position of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto’s General Manager on April 1, 2025. She is a graduate of the Tokyo Woman’s Christian University and holds a Master’s degree from the Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio University. She enjoys her daily meditative jog along the waterfront — wherever she is in the world.
Sakata shared her vision upon assuming her new position.
“It is both a privilege and a pleasure for me to take on the role of General Manager of the newly opening Imperial Hotel, Kyoto. This is a unique property where over a millennium of Kyoto’s elegant cultural heritage enfolds the 135-year legacy of hospitality Imperial Hotel has carefully cultivated.
“With respect for the rich history of this location, my mission is to ensure a stay that is not only exceptional in quality but also leaves a lasting warmth in the hearts of our guests, bringing smiles to their faces each time they recall their stay, stirring a gentle desire to return, whenever they think back.
“Having spent 22 years at the Imperial Hotel, it has become my firm belief that ‘people’ are the heart of everything we do. Each and every team member carries with them their passion, expertise and the pride that the Imperial Hotel has developed over the past 135 years. It is my deepest honor to lead this extraordinary team as we open our doors, raise the curtain, and start playing the notes together on this historic stage once more — welcoming guests not just for now, but for generations to come.”
