Nara’s hotel shortage continues
Despite having some idyllic and historic tourist attractions, for many years Nara Prefecture had the fewest hotel rooms in Japan. And while there have been several notable hotel openings in recent years to boost the much-needed supply, it has only managed to move up three spaces to rank 44th out of the country’s 47 prefectures.Read more
Akihabara high-rise project moving ahead despite opposition
A 170-meter tall mixed-use redevelopment may soon be going ahead for a multi-block site in Akihabara. To move forward with project planning, the required two-thirds approval was obtained from landowners last month.Read more
Historic Hilltop Hotel to close next year
On October 23, the operator of the historic Hilltop Hotel in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward announced it will temporarily close from February 2024. The closure is to allow them to consider possible measures to deal wth the building’s age and deterioration.Read more
Hyatt House opening Shibuya property next February
The Hyatt House brand of extended-stay hotels is coming to Tokyo next February with the opening of the Hyatt House Shibuya Tokyo. This is the second Hyatt House in Japan - the first opened in Kanazawa in 2020.Read more
Hotels in high demand as developers see opportunity in rapidly recovering tourist market
Japan's hotel industry is only going to heat up as major domestic developers ramp up their portfolios amidst a rapidly recovering tourist market.Read more
Osaka’s most expensive apartment is going on sale for 2.5 billion Yen
The most expensive apartment in history in the Osaka and Kansai region will go on sale next February. The two-bedroom penthouse will be priced at 2.5 billion Yen (US$16.7 million).Read more
Modernist theatre demolition delayed due to rising construction costs
Rising construction costs might have granted the National Theatre an inadvertent temporary reprieve of demolition. The 57-year old modernist building was scheduled to meet with the wrecking ball sometime after the end of October.Read more