Fundraising difficulties delay international luxury hotel in Utsunomiya City

Luxury Thai hotelier Dusit Thani has cited fundraising issues and uncertainty over inbound tourism as the reasons for the delay in the construction of a high-rise hotel planned for Utsunomiya City. Construction has been postponed until further notice while the developer looks for other hotel operators.

Read more


First resort condominium to be developed in Kinugawa, Nikko, in 20 years

Kinugawa River Side Residence 1

The Kinugawa River Side Residence will be the first condominium to be built in Nikko's Kinugawa onsen resort area in almost 20 years.

It hasn't been a smooth journey for this particular development. The original developer - Zephyr - had completed construction up to the 3rd floor before filing for bankruptcy in July 2008. The bare concrete structure sat empty for the next five years until Yokohama-based developer Daiwa Jisho Group purchased the building and land and resumed construction in May 2013. Read more


Former British Embassy Villa in Nikko to be open to public

Tochigi Prefecture is making plans to restore and open up the former villa of the British Embassy on Lake Chuzenji to the public as a way to promote tourism in the Nikko area.

The prefecture has allocated 6 million Yen in their 2012 budget to start work on analyzing the foundations and earthquake-resistance of the villa. After carrying out any necessary repairs, the villa is scheduled to be open to the public from 2014.Read more