Japan already has the world's smartest toilets, but now there are smart shoes, furniture and accessories.You might remember Nissan's 2016 marketing maneuver, when the Japanese carmaker introduced a line of self-driving chairs that could autonomously glide together using cameras and sensors.This time, the auto innovators have taken aim at traditional hospitality and everyday objects.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Hilton Grand Vacations (NYSE:HGV) announces its real estate purchase from Hilton (NYSE:HLT) including existing buildings and land for development within the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, located in the Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The purchase marks Hilton Grand Vacations' second announced project in Japan and will be the first resort to open in the country. Adding to the existing properties, HGV plans to create timeshare units with ocean views on the purchased land.
Park Hyatt Tokyo has appointed James Holehouse as Executive Pastry Chef, effective February 1, 2018. In his new role, Chef Holehouse will oversee the concepts and creations of the hotel’s patisserie and confection offerings including the sought-after seasonal desserts of the Pastry Boutique.
Global Agents has just announced the Grand Opening of the second in its luxury capsule hotel brand 'The Millennials' for March 15th, 2018. Following the huge success of their first iteration, opened last year in Kyoto, and attracting the attention from many overseas guests and medias, Global Agents is finally bringing its brand to the Japanese capital with a first location in the bustling Shibuya district. With a new concept based on "Living in the future", The Millennials re-imagines the capsule hotel concept through high-tech facilities and technology and social spaces to bring a formerly utilitarian concept into the realm of semi-luxury. With over 120 multi-functional Smart-Pod units spread over 5 floors of prime Shibuya real-estate, The Millennials provides guests with full control of their personal unit through the integrated iPod touch provided at check-in. These controls correspond to several unique functions, including an alarm system based on bed movement and optional projectors that make use of each unit's built-in privacy screens. Additionally, the 3rd and 4th floor lobby doubles as a spacious coworking space for local entrepreneurs, with full office amenities, banquet & event space, and a lively "Happy Hour" with endless free beer.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo, the first Hyatt Centric hotel in the Asia-Pacific region. Located on the fashionable Namiki-dori street in cosmopolitan Ginza, the 164-room full-service lifestyle hotel offers travelers a home base in a neighborhood where even the most avid explorers can stay entertained for days on end.
If you feel like you need to disconnect and recalibrate—and have a few days to do it—then look into booking a couple of nights at a Japanese ryokan. These traditional inns date back to the 8th century A.D., and many of the earliest ones were located along the Tokaido route, which connected current-day Tokyo and Kyoto, and provided respite for nomadic samurai and traders. Now, however, they are a preferred lodging option for locals and tourists alike. These accommodations are characterized by tatami mat flooring, low wooden tables, shoji screens, futon bedding, and yukata robes. But the real perks of staying at a ryokan are the impeccable hospitality (omotenashi), multicourse kaiseki dinner (and ensuing breakfast spread) that’s typically built into room rates, and, not always but usually, access to a nearby or on-site onsen (hot spring). These bathing facilities are usually communal, separated by gender, and, quite honestly, not for the modest. For those who aren’t easily abashed, they’re incredibly soothing and restorative.
W is about to rise up in the Land of the Rising Sun. W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, today announced the signing of W Osaka, slated to open in 2021. Owned by Sekisui House, a long-standing partner of Marriott International, this opening will be the first-ever W in Japan. The 27-floor, new-build hotel will boast provocative and bold W design, sparking imagination in each of its 337 guestrooms and suites, electrifying restaurants and cocktail-centric bars.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts will arrive at one of Japan"s busiest airports in 2018, with the launch of a brand new upper-midscale hotel.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled Best Western Sapporo Odori-Koen, an exciting new midscale hotel in the center of northern Japan"s largest city.
Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. is implementing a multilingual chatbot that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to handle guest inquiries on the websites for some of its Japan-based properties that are attracting a growing number of international guests. Website visitors can use the chatbot in Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, or Korean to receive 24/7 assistance. If the chatbot fails to answer any questions, human operators are available to provide assistance between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Japan time.
Japan's Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. has come together with Trinity Investments, LLC, a Hawaii-based private real estate firm with much experience in the hospitality space, to create an exclusive joint venture called Nikko Style, an upscale select hotel brand that will soon be introduced throughout Japan.
Tokyo-based real estate developer Pacifica Capital K.K. is pleased to announce the November 1 grand opening of the "Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho", the first hotel in Japan for Marriott International"s new lifestyle brand targeted at the Millennial generation. Already off to a great start, Moxy Tokyo was fully occupied on its third night of operations.
Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. ("Okura"), a leading Japanese hospitality company, and Trinity Investments, LLC ("Trinity"), a Hawaii-based private real estate firm with an extensive background in hospitality, are pleased to announce an exclusive joint venture (the "Joint Venture") to create NIKKO STYLE, a fresh new upscale select service hotel brand that will be introduced throughout Japan.
The Luxury Collection today announced the signing of IRAPH SUI, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Okinawa, Japan. Owned by The Mori Trust Group and slated to open in late 2018, the new island resort will be will be located in the city of Miyakojima, in Okinawa Prefecture and will be the third Luxury Collection hotel in Japan.
Global Agents Co., LTD has just announced a new hotel in Kyoto's bustling Kawaramachi district looks to leave its mark on Japan's Capsule Hotel culture by integrating technology and social spaces to bring a utilitarian concept into the realm of semi-luxury. With over 150 multi-functional Smart-Pod units spread over 4 floors of prime Kyoto real-estate, THE MILLENNIALS KYOTO provides guests with full control of their personal unit through the integrated iPod touch provided at check-in. These controls correspond to several unique functions, including an alarm system based on bed movement and optional projectors that make use of each unit's built-in privacy screens. Additionally, the 8th floor lobby doubles as a spacious coworking space for local entrepreneurs, with full office amenities and a lively "Happy Hour" with endless free beer.
Tourism is booming like never before in the Land of the Rising Sun as visitors flock from across Asia and further afield. While rising numbers are in line with government plans to welcome 60 million tourists by 2030 to help offset struggling areas of the Japanese economy, the hotel industry faces in own challenges in keeping up with growing demand for rooms.
The Peninsula Tokyo announces the appointment of Mina Y. Otake as Director of Marketing, effective July 2017. In her new role, Ms. Otake oversees the sales and marketing efforts of The Peninsula Tokyo. A native of Japan, Ms. Otake joins from De Beers Diamond Jewellers Japan, where she held the position of Country Director for the past three years. Prior to this, she held a number of positions within marketing and strategic planning with Sony Corporation in Tokyo, Sony Corporation of America in New York, Sony Pictures Entertainment in Los Angeles, and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communication in Sweden.
PRINCE HOTELS, INC. (Head office: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; President, Shigeyoshi Akasaka) opened a new hotel, "Nagoya Prince Hotel Sky Tower," on Monday, October 2, 2017 in Nagoya, Japan, the country"s third largest city.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with ORIX Corporation for a Hyatt Centric hotel and Hyatt House hotel in Kanazawa, Japan"s north coast in the Hokuriku region. The hotels, expected to open in mid-2020, will mark Hyatt"s first joint development and first Hyatt House hotel in Japan.
ANA InterContinental Tokyo has appointed Michel Chertouh to the dual role of general manager of ANA InterContinental Tokyo and regional general manager, Greater Tokyo and Okinawa.