Hilton to bring LXR brand to Kyoto

On February 4, Hilton announced plans to open an LXR-branded luxury hotel in Kyoto. The resort will be located within the 28-acre Shozan Resort Kyoto on the site of a former bowling alley.

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Nintendo to convert former Kyoto HQ into boutique hotel

The 90-year old former headquarters of Nintendo will be converted into a boutique hotel. The conversion project will see the historic building refurbished into a 20-room hotel with a restaurant, and guest gym and baths. 

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Plans for 50 luxury hotels across Japan

The Ritz-Carlton Nikko. To open in 2020.

On December 7, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced a plan to encourage and support the opening of fifty world-class luxury hotels across Japan. Suga made the announcement at a press conference following a visit to a town devastated by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. 

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Hiramatsu to open Kyoto hotel in 2020

Hiramatsu, a fine-dining and wedding function company, will be opening a boutique luxury hotel in Kyoto in March 2020.

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Construction starts on 265m Toranomon Hills Station Tower

Groundwork on the OMA-designed Toranomon Hills Station Tower in downtown Tokyo officially started on November 25. The high-rise forms part of Mori Building’s US$3.6 billion redevelopment project centered in Toranomon. 

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Niseko now has an accommodation tax

The popular ski resort of Niseko in Hokkaido has joined the ranks of districts with accommodation taxes.  Kutchan Town introduced the tax on November 1. It will apply to all types of accommodation providers, including hotels and minpaku-style operators. 

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Roppongi to see new Langham hotel in 2024

Preliminary images of the jaw-dropping design for the proposed Langham hotel in Tokyo have been released. 

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