Hotel Chourakukan, an SLH Hotel ホテル長楽館、SLHホテル 科瓦庫克酒店，全球奢華精品酒店

Hotel Chourakukan is an intimate small luxury hotel with just six suites, set on the grounds of Maruyama Park in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The property combines a historic Western-style mansion built in 1909 by tobacco magnate Kichibei Murai as a private guest house with a contemporary annex that houses the guest rooms. The original Chourakukan residence, now the main building, draws on architectural styles from around the world and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Its one-of-a-kind atmosphere and the quiet, exclusive stay made possible by only six rooms led to the hotel’s admission to the global Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection in 2025.

The hotel’s address is 604 Maruyama-cho, facing Maruyama Park just east of Yasaka Shrine—essentially at the “gateway” between the Gion district and the Higashiyama temple area. Iconic sights such as Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Chion-in are all within walking distance, and guests can wander Kyoto’s stone-paved lanes and gentle slopes straight from the hotel. Access is convenient: it is about a 10-minute walk from Keihan Gion-shijo Station, roughly a 15-minute drive from JR Kyoto Station, and just under 20 minutes by car from the Meishin Expressway’s Kyoto-Higashi IC.

The historic Chourakukan mansion is renowned as a fine example of early 20th-century Western-style architecture in Japan, adorned with stained glass, marble fireplaces, and Baccarat chandeliers. Both its exterior and interiors retain much of their original design, with each room—salon, library, bar, and more—decorated in a different theme. The building was originally used as a guest house to welcome domestic and international dignitaries, members of the imperial family, and ambassadors. Today, it serves as a public space with a restaurant, café, patisserie, and bar, while still preserving the grandeur of its past.

All six guest rooms are located in the annex and are designed as suites of approximately 40 to 60 square meters. Large windows frame views of the cedar trees of Maruyama Park and the ridgeline of Higashiyama, with a mix of traditional gardens and forested hills creating a distinctly Kyoto backdrop. Each suite features a double or twin bed, a living area with sofa, and a spacious bathroom with a separate shower booth; in some rooms, the bathtub is positioned to allow guests to enjoy the view while they bathe. Every room offers complimentary Wi-Fi, a minibar, coffee and tea set, in-room safe, and other essentials you would expect from a boutique luxury hotel. Stays are limited to guests aged 12 and over, ensuring a calm, adults-oriented environment.

Dining centers on the French restaurant “LE CHENE” in the main building. The signature course features roast Nanatanigamo, a rare premium duck from neighboring Kameoka in Kyoto Prefecture, and showcases full-course French cuisine that marries local Kyoto ingredients with classic French techniques. The Nanatanigamo main dish is presented as the hotel’s specialty. Wine pairing courses curated by the sommelier are also available, placing strong emphasis on the “Kyoto meets French” dining experience. Breakfast offers leisurely Western-style options and sets that incorporate Japanese elements, designed for a relaxed start to the day.

The café and patisserie are another highlight of Hotel Chourakukan. During the day, afternoon tea and cake sets are particularly popular, allowing guests to enjoy seasonal sweets and tea in an elegant, classical salon. In the evening, the bar in the main building opens, providing a cozy space with a fireplace where guests can savor cocktails and whisky. Thanks to the hotel’s very limited number of rooms, these public areas tend to remain pleasantly quiet, offering a refined yet relaxed atmosphere.

On the fourth floor of the annex, a guest-only lounge provides an additional place to unwind, with sofas and a small library corner. It is ideal for taking a break after check-in or relaxing after a day of sightseeing, serving as a separate living room outside of the guest suites themselves. The entire property is covered by complimentary Wi-Fi, and the concierge can assist with local sightseeing tips, restaurant reservations, taxi arrangements, and more.

Hotel Chourakukan’s official entry into SLH was announced in 2025. This collection includes over 600 independent luxury hotels in more than 90 countries worldwide, and selection is reserved for properties that meet stringent standards. In Chourakukan’s case, SLH highlights several points: the use of an Important Cultural Property mansion as the main building, with six modern, comfortable suites in the annex; the unique atmosphere created by its carefully preserved architectural details; the quiet, highly personalized stay only a six-room hotel can provide; and a culinary program that harmonizes Kyoto’s terroir with the traditions of French cuisine.

On-site self-parking is available for guests arriving by car, although details such as conditions, capacity, and fees are subject to change; checking the latest information on the official website or at the time of booking is recommended. Given the hotel’s central location and good public transport links, traveling by train and bus is also a practical option—especially for visitors who wish to enjoy Kyoto’s streets on foot.

In summary, Hotel Chourakukan is, in many ways, a “Kyoto guest house” in the truest sense: an Important Cultural Property mansion nestled beside Maruyama Park, a six-suite small luxury hotel, a destination for “Kyoto × French” gastronomy, and an SLH-affiliated boutique property recognized on the international stage. It is a compelling choice for travelers who want to explore the Gion and Higashiyama area at a leisurely pace, couples celebrating a special occasion or honeymoon in a classic setting, or hosts seeking a uniquely Kyoto venue to welcome international guests.