Hamamatsucho Building redevelopment kicks off after a delayed start

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Shibaura 1 Chome Project was held on September 28. This project will see the former Hamamatsucho Building replaced with two 235-meter tall towers.

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New brand moves into historic hotel in Otaru

Boutique ryokan developer and operator Hoshino Resorts has taken over a bankrupt hotel in Otaru, Hokkaido, with plans to re-open it this winter under their OMO brand.

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Foreign buyers battle for Seibu’s hotels

In the few months since news broke of Seibu Holdings’ plan to offload some of its hotels, Blackstone Group and an investment fund affiliated with Morgan Stanley have emerged as possible buyers. Negotiations are expected to conclude by the end of the year.

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Luxury hotelier to pay 1.5 billion Yen for historic site in Kyoto

The operator of a luxury, boutique hotel in Hakone has been selected as the successful bidder for a historically significant site in Kyoto City.

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Historic villa in Kyoto sold last month

A Kyoto-based asset management and real estate company acquired a historic ryotei-style restaurant in the city’s Higashiyama district in July.

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Overseas buyers seeking hot spring ryokans

Offshore buyers are on the hunt for hot spring resorts and traditional ryokans in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula, according to a recent article in Diamond Online. The article quotes an onsen and hotel broker that received over 200 inquiries in May alone from buyers looking to acquire accommodation facilities across the country, with 70% of those looking for luxury hot spring ryokans around Izu, Hakone, and Mt. Fuji.

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Outdoor lifestyle brand to open hot spring resort

Japanese outdoor lifestyle brand Snow Peak is opening a hot spring resort in their hometown of Sanjo City, Niigata.

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