Shangri-La Group is bringing its ultra-luxury Shangri-La Signatures collection to Japan with the launch of Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures, a 77-key hotel slated to welcome its first guests from late 2026.
Set opposite Nijo Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Kyoto, the hotel will be the second property in Shangri-La Signatures, the group’s collection of intimate, story-rich retreats. Select facilities will open progressively before the hotel’s full unveiling in early 2027.
Songtei Kyoto will occupy the former residence of the Kyoto Shoshidai, historically an important administrative post during the Edo period. Its rooms and suites are designed to frame views of Nijo Castle’s Kita Ote-mon, or Great North Gate, alongside the castle gardens and surrounding cityscape.
The property’s concept takes cues from the restrained grandeur and ceremonial rhythm of Kyoto’s historic residences, with art, wellness, gastronomy and storytelling forming key elements of the guest experience.
Its name also carries a deliberate sense of place. “Song” refers to the pine, a symbol of longevity and good fortune, while “Tei” is intended to evoke a feeling of home, together reflecting the hotel’s residential character and Kyoto-inspired approach to hosting.
Wellness facilities will include a private spa, indoor and outdoor hot baths, an indoor pool and a gym. On the dining front, Songtei Kyoto will feature an all-day dining lounge, Chinese fine-dining restaurant, kappo-sushi counter and intimate evening bar.
Songtei Kyoto follows the May 2025 debut of The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, on the shores of Hangzhou’s UNESCO-listed West Lake. The inaugural Shangri-La Signatures property was named among TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2026 and Prix Versailles’ World’s Most Beautiful Hotels 2026.
Further details, including room categories, restaurant concepts and reservation information, are expected in the months ahead.