Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto announces the appointment of Marco Fregnan as the new Chef de Cuisine of EMBA KYOTO GRILL. With over two decades of experience in acclaimed kitchens across Italy, Singapore and Japan, Chef Marco is set to lead the premier Kyoto steakhouse into a new chapter of refinement, with a renewed focus on expertly grilled cuisine highlighting the best of Japanese ingredients.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is unveiling an exclusive first look at its second property in Japan, Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka, ahead of its highly anticipated debut in April 2026, welcoming its first guests. Revealed for the first time, the hotel’s completed interiors and guest spaces showcase a contemporary lifestyle concept designed for today’s urban explorers. Located in Osaka’s vibrant Namba district, the 300‑room hotel blends modern design with the city’s energetic spirit, featuring warm tones, inviting textures, and Osaka-inspired artwork. Open, versatile common areas throughout the property offer comfortable places to work, relax, or socialise after a day discovering the city.
In June 2026, Hoshino Resorts will debut HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, an extraordinary property in Nara Prefecture steeped in history and offering unparalleled accommodations in a culturally significant location. Housed within the beautifully preserved former Nara Prison, an architectural masterpiece and nationally designated Important Cultural Property, HOSHINOYA Nara Prison blends the dignified legacy of the Meiji-era prison design with refined modern luxury.
1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, is proud to announce the official opening of 1 Hotel Tokyo, the brand's first property in Japan. Now welcoming guests, the hotel is a sanctuary in the sky, set high within the Akasaka Trust Tower, offering sweeping views of the Imperial Palace gardens, Tokyo Tower, and the city skyline. The property brings 1 Hotels' signature nature-led design, trailblazing food and beverage concepts, wellness-forward experiences, and a luxuriously sustainable ethos to one of the world's most dynamic cities.
GHA adds 40+ Japanese hotels to its network through partnership with Tokyu Hotels & Resorts, gaining access to prime locations across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa.
For our founder, Yoshitaka Nojiri, hotels have always held a certain magic. From family celebrations to memorable meals, they were places where ordinary moments became extraordinary—both familiar and uniquely memorable.
Capella Kyoto will open on 22 March 2026, just as Kyoto’s legendary cherry blossoms reach their fleeting peak. Set in the historic Miyagawa-cho kagai (geisha district), Capella Hotels and Resorts’ inaugural property in Japan is located steps from the Kenninji temple and the Kamo river where kabuki was born.
Hoshino Resorts data shows 24% growth in international bookings for 2025, down from 94% in 2024, with Western travelers staying longer and regional destinations gaining popularity.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi announces the appointment of Stephen Lancaster as Executive Chef, assuming leadership of the hotel's culinary operations and its celebrated three-Michelin-starred French restaurant, SÉZANNE, effective April 1, 2026.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand's leading hotel operator, is set to expand its presence in Japan with the upcoming opening of Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka in Q2 2026, marking the group's second hotel in Japan following the successful debut of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka in 2023.
RISONARE Shimonoseki, Hoshino Resorts' eighth RISONARE property, has officially opened its doors marking the brand's first expansion into Japan's Yamagata prefecture. The latest opening holds true to the brand's signature—providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination—with dynamic views, thoughtful design and abundant activities.
Leading global hospitality company Hilton(NYSE: HLT) proudly unveils the opening of The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the debut of its lifestyle brand Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Japan. Located at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri within Niseko Village Ski Resort, the winter-season property will welcome guests exclusively during Niseko's celebrated White Season, offering prime access to some of the world's best skiing experiences.
Survey of 260 Japanese hoteliers shows 76% rating past performance as good/very good, up from 56% in 2023, with strong hiring plans averaging 7.9 new employees per property.
Shiji, the global hospitality technology leader, today announced the full-scale launch of Reviewpro Reputation in Japan. Since establishing its Tokyo office in 2018, Shiji Japan has introduced next-generation hospitality solutions, from Daylight PMS and Infrasys POS to guest engagement and data intelligence tools, to accelerate digital transformation across Japan’s hotel and restaurant industry. Now fully localized for Japan, Reviewpro Reputation supports over 80 review sites and 45 languages, transforming diverse guest feedback into actionable insights that help hotels strengthen brand value, improve service quality, and deliver superior guest experiences across every guest touchpoint.
The three-month trial launches January 2026, targeting families who struggle with packing seasonal clothing and oversized luggage for Japan trips.
GCSTIMES proposes FSC-certified wooden key cards with custom engravings as a way for hotels to express local culture and enhance guest touchpoints.
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) proudly announces its biggest new-build hotel agreement in Japan near Universal Studios Japan (USJ), in partnership with Sakurajima Kaihatsu LLC, a consortium of four companies: Kajima Corporation, JAPAN POST REAL ESTATE Co., Ltd., SMFL MIRAI Partners Company, Limited, and Keihanshin Building Co., Ltd.
Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., the leading global Japanese hotel operator, is pleased to announce that The Okura Resort Hakone Gora, the first Okura Resort property in Japan, will open in 2029. The result of a collaboration with Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd., the new property will be located in the renowned hot spring destination of Hakone. An operational management agreement was signed on July 11, 2025, under the terms of which Nishimatsu Construction will develop and own the property, with Hotel Okura managing the hotel under The Okura Resort brand.
Hyatt has announced the reopening of Park Hyatt Tokyo following a 19-month restoration, the most extensive renewal in the hotel's 30-year history. The project preserves the legacy of Asia's first Park Hyatt hotel while reimagining its guestrooms, suites, dining venues and public spaces for the next generation of luxury travelers.
CBRE analysis shows diversified visitor base and weak yen will offset Chinese travel restrictions, with European, US, and Australian tourists providing stronger spending power.