STEP INTO THE VIBRANT world of Shiho Ikeuchi, the dynamic basic supervisor of Ace Lodge Kyoto, and also you’ll instantly sense an air of playful riot. With a streak of pink in her hair and a colourful classic jacket paired with polka-dotted trousers, she embodies the ethos of the worldwide Ace Lodge model – a fearless fusion of latest aptitude and conventional Japanese appeal.

Nestled within the coronary heart of Kyoto, Ace Lodge presents extra than simply lodging; it’s an immersive expertise curated to please the senses. Housed inside a meticulously restored constructing that when served as the town’s Central Phone Workplace, the resort is adorned with popular culture references and fashionable artwork.

However it’s not nearly aesthetics. Underneath Shiho’s management, Ace Lodge Kyoto has grow to be a cultural nexus, fostering inventive expression and social engagement. Every visitor room is supplied with a report participant and a number of vinyl information, together with one from a Japanese artist, inviting friends to immerse themselves inside Japan’s vibrant music scene.

Culinarily talking, it’s additionally a hub. In fact they showcase Kyoto’s wealthy gastronomic heritage, however Ace additionally serves a few of my favourite Mexican meals on the town. The craft cocktails rejoice the various tastes of Japan and common occasions encourage not simply friends but additionally locals to fulfill and mingle.

And one other factor: Shiho Ikeuchi is a trailblazer within the LGBTQ neighborhood. Since 2013, she has been a driving power in elevating consciousness and inclusivity, providing particular marriage ceremony ceremony packages for same-sex {couples} and championing equality with unwavering dedication.

Intriguing, inspiring, and endlessly passionate, Shiho Ikeuchi is not only main a resort; she’s crafting an unforgettable expertise and paving the best way for a extra inclusive world, one visitor at a time. You possibly can inform I discovered it an unbelievable pleasure chatting along with her and discovering her favourite locations in Kyoto — she’s an awesome tour information, and I dwell right here, too!

T+L SEA: Initially, congratulations in your new position as GM at Ace Lodge Kyoto!

Shiho Ikeuchi: Thanks! I’m very thrilled to be part of the Ace household, as Ace Lodge Kyoto exalts the spirit of friendship, discovery, and cultural change as a gathering place for locals and guests alike, it’s really the right place to be, each as friends and as workers. Now we have an incredible workforce to work with in a pleasant environment!

T+L SEA: What has been your journey inside the hospitality business?

Shiho Ikeuchi: I’ve over 30 years {of professional} expertise within the hospitality business at worldwide and home lodges, with a various administration background in operations, gross sales, and advertising. 

Simply earlier than taking up this thrilling new alternative I served as a Basic Supervisor for a city-resort resort in Western Tokyo.

T+L SEA: The place does your ardour for hospitality come from?

Shiho Ikeuchi: I actually love what I do. It all the time makes me smile once I see friends having fun with their stick with us, and infrequently friends who initially had a criticism find yourself coming again and turning into loyal prospects.

One in all our core rules at Ace is, ‘Being your self.’ This refers to each individuals staying on the resort, but additionally our workers. We worth creativity and a method we let our employees specific themself is by letting them customise their uniform and provides them the liberty to point out who they’re as people. That’s the key to many industries however particularly necessary to hospitality, and Ace is the place the place it comes true.

T+L SEA: What’s your imaginative and prescient for the resort or what are you hoping to attain?

Shiho Ikeuchi: For the reason that border opened in Could 2023, we now have had many inbound vacationers come again to Japan, and to Kyoto. Being some of the standard cities to go to, I wish to transcend our visitor’s excessive expectations with my workforce members. We proceed to offer alternatives for cultural/artwork/music occasions within the resort to grow to be a bridge to our local people and guests whereas we get pleasure from collaborating in them.

T+L SEA: And naturally simply as necessary what are your private objectives?

Shiho Ikeuchi: I’ve been deeply concerned within the growth of LGBTQ+ tourism in Japan for the previous 10+ years, together with serving as an IGLTA (Worldwide LGBTQ+ Journey Affiliation) Board of Administrators for 7 years and coming years. One in all my objectives is to help LGBTQ+ vacationers for secure and pleasing journey and create a spot of ‘Being yourselves’ similar to everybody else. 

Japan remains to be behind on this concern, however I sincerely consider that we are able to enhance collectively, and Ace Lodge Kyoto can take the initiative.

T+L SEA: We’re thrilled so that you can share your favourite spots in Kyoto with us! What impressed your number of these explicit locations?

Shiho Ikeuchi: Kyoto is mostly a distinctive metropolis and we name it the cultural capital of Japan for a cause. Guests can get pleasure from each side of the town and it’s actually lovely throughout any season. I selected these locations as a result of they allow you to peek into an genuine and native Kyoto, however additionally they supply a mix of blended cultures.

Shiho Ikeuchi’s Information to Kyoto

1. Ace Lodge Kyoto – Kōsa
〒604-8185, Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kurumayacho 245-2 

At Kōsa, Chef Katy Cole presents her “Californian Kyoto delicacies”, a culinary ode to regionally sourced, seasonal elements, thoughtfully paired with pure wines. The gorgeous restaurant presents lunch, dinner and particular seasonal afternoon tea and may be booked for occasions.

2. Ace Lodge Kyoto – PIOPIKO
〒604-8185, Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kurumayacho 245-2 

Located within the coronary heart of Ace Lodge Kyoto, PioPiko invitations diners on a culinary journey, seamlessly melding Mexican delicacies with native flavors and elements created by Michelin-ranked Chef Wes Avila. With a cocktail menu to match it has shortly grow to be a well-liked after-work vacation spot amidst the colourful environment of Kyoto.

3. Kamesuehiro
〒604-8185, Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, 姉小路通烏丸東入車屋町

Kamesuehiro (亀すえひろ) is a famend conventional Japanese candy store with 200 years of historical past. Specializing in high quality and craftsmanship the store is understood for its huge number of wagashi and presents seasonality Japanese confectionery constituted of solely the best native elements.

4. Yoshida Sanso 
〒606-8314, Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Yoshidashimoojicho 59-1 

Previously a part of Prince Higashi-Fushimi’s imperial villa, this historic property is well known for its luxurious retreat and famend Café Shinkokan. The elegant café presents gorgeous views of the Japanese gardens. Espresso or tea is served with a facet of Japanese poetry and common calligraphy courses can be found.

5. Ando Ningyoten
〒602-8034, Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Komeyacho, 273-2

This famend doll store with over a century of historical past makes a speciality of conventional custom-made Japanese Hina dolls. These beautiful creations have garnered quite a few awards and accolades for his or her contribution to Japanese doll artistry. Showcased in prestigious exhibitions worldwide, they’ve even been introduced to royalty across the globe as esteemed presents from Japan.

6. Shunkoin Temple 
〒616-8035, Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Hanazonomyoshinjicho 42

Shunkoin Temple, located inside the Myoshinji Temple advanced, supplies a spread of experiences together with Zen meditation, Kissako periods, and retreats. Moreover, Rev. Takafumi Zenryu Kawakami, a distinguished lecturer with a notable presence at establishments corresponding to MIT, Brown College, and Eton School, stands out as one of many pioneers in conducting marriage ceremony ceremonies for same-sex {couples} in Japan.

acehotel.com/kyoto; doubles from ¥46,613