8% of short-term ‘minpaku’ rentals close since start of pandemic

According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the number of registered short-term ‘minpaku’ rentals nationwide has dropped from a peak of 21,385 in April 2020 to 19,520 as of March 2021.

Read more


Six Senses and Banyan Tree to open in Kyoto in 2024

Six Senses and Banyan Tree will both be opening luxury hotels in Kyoto's Higashiyama district in 2024. Both hotels will be the first of their kind in Japan.

Read more


Quick real estate news summary for the week

UR acquires hotel in Harumi, LG sells office floor, and telework take-up sits at just 20%. Below is a quick weekly summary of some of the recent goings-on in the Japanese real estate market.

Read more


Former Hotel Pacific to be demolished

The mixed-use and oddly-named Shinagawa Goos building on the western side of Shinagawa Station officially closed its doors on March 31, ending 50-years of operations.

Read more


Shimane hotel sells for 2,000 Yen (US$18)

The town of Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture has purchased an abandoned hotel and land for 2,000 Yen (approx. US$18). The 50-year old building will be demolished with the grounds turned into a public park.

Read more


Six Senses to open in Niseko

A Six Senses resort is coming to Niseko in 2024 ~ 2025 (since pushed back to late 2026). On April 8, the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper reported that IHG Hotels & Resorts is planning the luxury hotel for the Hirafu district.

Read more


More details announced for Shangri-La Kyoto hotel project

Developer Samty Co., Ltd. announced some additional details on Shangri-La Hotel’s plan to open a luxury, low-rise hotel in Kyoto.

Read more