Kyoto Century Hotel (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto; General Manager: Miwa Sakurai) is holding a limited-time collaboration at its main bar, Essex, from Saturday, July 18 through Wednesday, September 23, 2026, tied to the "Ukiyo-e Super Creator Utagawa Kuniyoshi" exhibition. The hotel is also offering stay plans that include exhibition and cocktail tickets.
The fair is offered alongside the exhibition at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, and features two new cocktails inspired by representative works of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, the ukiyo-e artist active in the late Edo period who earned enormous popularity as a "master of wild ideas" for his bold concepts and confident brushwork.
"Dual Spirit," which channels the bold world of Kuniyoshi's warrior prints, draws its inspiration from the print "Tengan Isobei Yasha Arashi," part of the series Honcho Suikoden Goketsu Happyakunin no Hitori, and its dynamic depiction of the warrior Tengan Isobei overpowering his rival. Built on two premium spirits, the drink blends piercing vitality with smooth elegance for a powerful yet layered harmony, finished with an accent inspired by the loincloth depicted in the print. "Shape Shifter," inspired by the playful moji-e (character picture) "Cat Calligraphy: Fugu," recreates the charm of a work in which "individual figures come together to form a different image" by layering two different classic cocktails. Guests mix the drink themselves in the glass, watching it transform into an entirely new flavor — a light-hearted, humorous touch typical of Kuniyoshi. Guests who order either cocktail receive an original coaster featuring the corresponding artwork.
A special cocktail fair that translates the dynamic vitality and playful ingenuity of an Edo-period ukiyo-e master into a bartender's own sensibility — a fitting way to spend an artful moment at an authentic bar before or after a visit to the exhibition.
"Ukiyo-e Super Creator Utagawa Kuniyoshi" Collaboration Cocktails (with Original Coaster)
- Period: Saturday, July 18 to Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (a national holiday)
- Hours: 5:30 PM to 12:00 AM close (last order 11:30 PM)
- Venue: Main Bar Essex (2F, Kyoto Century Hotel)
- Inquiries: TEL 075-351-0085 (Restaurant reservations, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
- Website: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-centuryhotel/topics/kuniyoshi-utagawa-cocktail/
Cocktail Lineup
Dual Spirit (Goju Ittai — Strength and Grace as One)
This cocktail draws on the dynamic scene of the warrior Tengan Isobei hurling his rival Yasha Arashi to the ground, finding in that moment the spirit of "strength and grace as one" and translating the resonance of those opposing qualities into a single glass.
The drink is built on a double base of two premium Japanese spirits that embody the richness of Japan's nature: Hakushu, a Japanese whisky with the freshness of young leaves and a robust smokiness, and a Hokkaido-made gin concentrated with Japanese botanicals. A final touch of smoke aroma expresses Isobei's overflowing vitality alongside refined smoothness, while a red paprika accent, inspired by the loincloth depicted in the print, completes a drink that balances strength with depth.
Price: ¥2,000
Shape Shifter (Ateji no Itazura — A Playful Trick of Wordplay)
"Cat Calligraphy: Fugu" is a playful moji-e in which adorable cats huddle together to form the outline of a pufferfish. Inspired by the way individual figures come together to create an entirely different image, this cocktail blends two different classic cocktails to capture Utagawa Kuniyoshi's light-hearted humor.
A mysterious ultramarine layer of Violet Fizz forms the base, topped with a float of the dessert cocktail White Cargo made with Ki No Bi, a premium Kyoto craft gin. The soda's bubbles evoke the cats' free-spirited, whimsical movements, while the rich, smooth texture of vanilla ice cream suggests their soft, adorable fur. Stirred together in the glass, the drink transforms into an entirely new flavor — a playful cocktail through and through.
A non-alcoholic version, flavored with green apple, is also available.
Price: ¥2,000 each for the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions
Drinks cannot be taken out. Listed prices include a 15% service charge and consumption tax; a table charge of ¥500 per person applies separately. Menu items are subject to change depending on availability. Business hours are subject to change without notice — please check the official website for details. All images are for illustrative purposes only.
The Artworks Behind the Cocktails
"Tengan Isobei Yasha Arashi," from the series Honcho Suikoden Goketsu Happyakunin no Hitori, c. 1831, private collection
"Cat Calligraphy: Fugu," c. 1841-43, private collection
Kuniyoshi Exhibition and Cocktail Ticket Stay Plan
- Stay Period: Check-in July 18 (Sat) to check-out September 23 (Wed, national holiday), 2026 (reservations required at least 3 days in advance)
- Sales Period: July 9 (Thu) to September 20 (Sun), 2026
- Includes: One night's stay with breakfast at Kyoto Century Hotel; general admission ticket to the "Ukiyo-e Super Creator Utagawa Kuniyoshi" exhibition (one per guest, not including children sharing a bed with a parent); a collaboration cocktail ticket for the exhibition (one per guest, not including children sharing a bed with a parent)
- Reservations: https://go-keihanhotelgroup.reservation.jp/ja/hotels/keihan-century/plans/10196694
- Details: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-centuryhotel/topics/kuniyoshi-utagawa-cocktail/
- Inquiries: TEL 075-354-1000 (Hotel main line, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Please check the exhibition's closure days in the overview below. In addition to the stay plan, the hotel's front desk will also sell general admission tickets for the exhibition (general tickets only) throughout the July 18 to September 23, 2026 period.
About the "Ukiyo-e Super Creator Utagawa Kuniyoshi" Exhibition
Utagawa Kuniyoshi, active in the late Edo period, produced innovative work across every genre — warrior prints, actor prints, portraits of beautiful women, landscapes, and humor-filled comic pictures. The exhibition presents this wide-ranging appeal through a variety of works, alongside an immersive art video that lets visitors experience his world in a dedicated space.
- Period: July 18 (Sat) to September 23 (Wed, national holiday), 2026
- Venue: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building, North Corridor 1F (124 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8344)
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last admission 5:30 PM)
- Closed: Mondays (open on July 20 and September 21, both national holidays)
- Admission (same-day tickets): General ¥1,900; university/high school students ¥1,400; junior high/elementary school students ¥700
- Organizers: Kansai Telecasting Corporation, The Sankei Shimbun, The Kyoto Shimbun, City of Kyoto
- Planning Cooperation: Art One
- Website: https://www.ktv.jp/event/kuniyoshi/
Preschool children are admitted free of charge. Visitors using student pricing are asked to present a valid student ID. Visitors presenting a disability certificate are admitted free of charge along with one caregiver (please bring valid documentation).
"The Old Palace at Soma," c. 1845-46, private collection
"The Earth Spider Conjuring Monsters at Lord Minamoto no Yorimitsu's Mansion," 1843, private collection
Main Bar Essex
A refined, authentic bar style reimagined with a modern touch, Essex offers a calm, dignified space where guests can slow down and savor a grown-up moment with a drink. Enjoy an extensive selection of whiskies from around the world, served half-rock, twice-up, and in a variety of other styles.
- Hours: 5:30 PM to 12:00 AM (last order 11:30 PM)
- Seats: 52
- Website: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-centuryhotel/bar/
Kyoto Century Hotel
Opening in 1928 as the "Kyoto Station Hotel," the hotel's predecessor, as part of the celebrations for the Emperor's enthronement ceremony. Centered on the hotel's symbolic "Kanjin no Kyo Akari" lantern, its nostalgic, modern space has won numerous design awards. Since April 2021, under the new concept "Nostalgic Journey," the hotel has continued its long history and hospitality while offering service suited to the needs of the times.
- Address: 680 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8216
- Access: About a 2-minute walk east from JR Kyoto Station
- Website: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-centuryhotel/
