Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites has opened its first two properties in Japan, and both are in central Kyoto. Oaks Vacation Club Kyoto Gojo and Oaks Vacation Club Kyoto Shijo began operating on 1 October 2026, adding a combined 47 rooms aimed at travellers who want more space and a residential-style base rather than a conventional compact hotel room.

Quick take: Shijo is the larger property, with 27 rooms and kitchenettes in every room, about a 10-minute walk from Karasuma Station. Gojo has 20 rooms, is about eight minutes on foot from Shijo Station and sits one block from Nishiki Market. Neither opening changes how you should plan Kyoto transport, but both add another practical central-city option for couples, families and longer stays.

What actually opened

Minor Hotels, the parent company of Oaks, says the two Kyoto properties are the brand's first in Japan. The launch is a useful addition rather than a mega-hotel opening: together the two properties have only 47 rooms.

Oaks Vacation Club Kyoto Shijo has 27 rooms ranging from 30 to 35 square metres, from Deluxe Double Rooms to Family Suites. Minor Hotels says every room includes a kitchenette. The property is around a 10-minute walk from Karasuma Station.

Oaks Vacation Club Kyoto Gojo has 20 rooms ranging from 20 to 42 square metres, from Standard Double Rooms to a Japanese Suite. Minor Hotels places it around an eight-minute walk from Shijo Station and one block from Nishiki Market.

Why this matters for Kyoto visitors

Kyoto accommodation often forces a choice between atmosphere, room size and transport convenience. These two openings sit in the central-city part of that trade-off. They are not ryokan experiences and they are not suburban resort stays; they are designed as practical bases for people who want to walk to food, shopping and rail connections while still having more room to settle in.

The kitchenette point is especially relevant for families, longer stays and travellers who do not want every meal to depend on restaurant opening times. It also gives visitors using Nishiki Market and nearby food shops a little more flexibility, although market purchases should still be treated as food to enjoy responsibly rather than as a reason to cook elaborate meals in a hotel room.

Shijo versus Gojo: which location looks better?

The names are slightly misleading if you are choosing only by district label, so look at the actual walking distances rather than assuming one sits beside Gojo Station and the other beside Shijo Station.

Shijo looks strongest for travellers who value room consistency and in-room cooking facilities: all 27 rooms have kitchenettes, and Karasuma Station gives access to Hankyu services while Shijo subway station is nearby in the same central corridor.

Gojo looks stronger for travellers who want the biggest possible room range and easy access to Nishiki Market and downtown streets. Its 20 rooms span 20 to 42 square metres, including a Japanese Suite.

For either property, the bigger planning question is still where the rest of your itinerary sits. If you expect repeated early departures from Kyoto Station or several day trips, a station-area hotel may remain more convenient. If your evenings revolve around downtown dining, Nishiki, Kawaramachi and central Kyoto, these new Oaks addresses are better positioned. Our where to stay guide explains those trade-offs in more detail.

Do not read “vacation club” as an all-inclusive resort

The Oaks branding uses the “Vacation Club” name here, but these are central urban properties. The practical selling points are room size, kitchenettes at Shijo, and central access rather than resort facilities. Travellers should check the live booking page for the exact room type, inclusions, cancellation policy and price before comparing them with a ryokan, serviced apartment or standard hotel.

What is confirmed — and what is not

  • Confirmed: both properties opened on 1 October 2026.
  • Confirmed: together they add 47 rooms — 27 at Shijo and 20 at Gojo.
  • Confirmed: Shijo rooms are 30–35 square metres and all include a kitchenette.
  • Confirmed: Gojo rooms range from 20–42 square metres.
  • Confirmed: Minor Hotels describes the pair as Oaks' first properties in Japan.
  • Not fixed here: nightly prices, live availability and package inclusions. Those can change by date and room type, so check the current booking channel rather than relying on a launch-day rate quoted elsewhere.

Sources checked

Cheers, Carpe Diem & may your Kyoto base give you more room than your suitcase! 🍻⏳🏨
TATS News Team
Your Kyoto hotel-opening and practical-stay news crew