KYOTO, Japan — Hilton and Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd. have announced the signing of Motto by Hilton Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, bringing Hilton’s lifestyle brand to Japan for the first time. Scheduled to open in 2029, the 108-room hotel will be managed by Hilton and will expand the company’s presence in Kyoto as its portfolio in the city moves toward seven properties.
The project marks the Japanese debut of Motto by Hilton, a lifestyle hotel brand developed around flexible accommodations, locally inspired design, dynamic social spaces and food and beverage experiences connected to the surrounding neighborhood. The Kyoto property will include 108 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant and a lounge with an open terrace.
The signing adds another brand to Hilton’s expanding presence in Kyoto. Since opening ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts in 2021, Hilton has opened five hotels in the city over the past five years. With an upcoming Curio Collection by Hilton property and Motto by Hilton Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, Hilton’s Kyoto portfolio is set to reach seven hotels across its brand offering.
For Heiwa Real Estate, the hotel project forms part of its longer-term WAY2040 vision, under which the company is expanding its hotel business as a new area of growth. The company is partnering with Hilton on the development of Motto by Hilton Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, which will become the first property under the Motto brand in Japan.
Kiyoyuki Tsuchimoto, representative executive officer, president and CEO of Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd., said the project will pursue “Bazukuri,” described in the announcement as activities encompassing construction of buildings, creation of community and opportunities.
The hotel will be located approximately two minutes on foot from Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line and Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. Its location will provide access to several established areas of Kyoto, including Nishiki Market, the Gion and Higashiyama districts, and the Shijo Kawaramachi area.
The property’s connectivity to Kyoto Station is also identified in the announcement as supporting access for domestic and international leisure travelers as well as business guests. The surrounding area includes destinations associated with Kyoto’s traditional culture, historic streetscapes, shopping and dining.
Motto by Hilton’s entry into Japan comes as the brand continues to expand internationally. The announcement notes recent Motto openings in Brazil and Nashville, alongside signings in Paris, Shanghai and Sydney. The brand currently has 13 hotels across major urban, resort and adventure destinations worldwide, with more than 24 additional hotels under development.
The Kyoto project will introduce the brand’s destination-focused model to one of Hilton’s established Japanese markets. Alex Shockley, senior director, Lifestyle and Collection Brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said Motto by Hilton Kyoto Shijo Karasuma will offer a locally rooted hospitality experience designed around gathering and immersion in Kyoto.
The hotel’s planned facilities include an all-day dining restaurant and a lounge with an open terrace, while Motto by Hilton’s broader brand model incorporates social-centric common spaces, flexible guest rooms and food and beverage offerings connected to the local environment. The brand also features connecting guestrooms designed to accommodate groups of up to nine rooms.
Hirohisa Fujimoto, vice president, Development, Japan & Micronesia, Hilton, said the Kyoto signing reflects the company’s continued commitment to Japan as a key growth market. The planned property is designed to provide a flexible stay experience for different types of travelers, including families and friends traveling together and solo guests.
The addition of Motto by Hilton Kyoto Shijo Karasuma also broadens Hilton’s brand presence within Kyoto alongside its existing and upcoming properties. The company entered the city with ROKU KYOTO in 2021 and has since expanded its hotel portfolio across multiple brands, with the upcoming Curio Collection property and the Motto signing bringing the planned total to seven.
The planned opening in 2029 will mark the arrival of Motto by Hilton in Japan and add another lifestyle brand to Hilton’s growing presence in Kyoto. The property will bring Hilton’s portfolio in the city to seven hotels, alongside its existing and upcoming properties across multiple brands.