IHG Hotels & Resorts accelerates growth in Osaka and Kansai region

Osaka, Japan: 17 June 2025: As Osaka receives global attention from hosting World Expo Osaka Kansai, IHG Hotels & Resorts is accelerating the growth of its brands in Japan’s second largest city.

In the past year, IHG has cemented its position as the leading international hotel company in Osaka by expanding its portfolio to 10 open hotels (3,249 rooms) across seven brands – its biggest estate in the country, surpassing its seven properties (1,859 rooms) in Tokyo.

In the past year, IHG has cemented its position as one of the leading international hotel companies in Osaka by expanding its portfolio to 10 open hotels (3,249 rooms) across seven brands – its biggest estate in the country, surpassing its seven properties (1,859 rooms) in Tokyo.

This has included city debuts for Luxury & Lifestyle brand Vignette Collection, through the rebranding of the iconic RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, and midscale conversion brand Garner, which is already welcoming guests at a trio of properties – Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Station, Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Midosuji and Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Kita Semba.

IHG’s growth momentum builds on its great tradition in Osaka, which dates back to 2008 with the opening of ANA Crowne Plaza, soon followed by the introduction of Holiday Inn Osaka Namba and InterContinental Osaka. The UK-based company further accelerated its expansion in the market from 2020, when it has added seven hotels across four brands in the world-famous port city.

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, said: “Osaka and the Kansai region are very special destinations for IHG, and integral to our growth strategy across Japan. With its strong international and domestic appeal, Osaka is leading the way for us in terms of brand debuts, and we’re delighted to have launched Holiday Inn Express, voco hotels, Vignette Collection and Garner to such great success. In the wider region, we debuted Six Senses in Kyoto last year, and look forward to welcoming upper luxury brand Regent there in 2028, following a successful groundbreaking last month.

“This is a hugely exciting time for both IHG and Osaka. Nearly a fifth of our Japanese estate can be found in the city at a time when it’s hosting the World Expo – it doesn’t get much better than that. Given Osaka’s growing reputation as a must-visit destination, the rise of integrated resorts, and its role as the gateway to western Japan thanks to being home to the country’s third-busiest airport, we see huge potential for further growth across all of our brands.”

Currently the second largest global hotel company in Japan, IHG has built a strong legacy in the market, where it celebrated its 60^th anniversary of doing business in 2024. As a global company headquartered in Windsor, UK, it greatly values its partnerships across the country, and is a proud Supporting Partner of the UK at World Expo.

Sandilya added: “World Expo has given Osaka a billboard on the global stage, and we are seeing the impact every day as impressive numbers of domestic and international visitors – including IHG One Rewards members – book great stay experiences at our hotels from where they can enjoy the event to the fullest.

“Accepting the privilege of supporting World Expo Osaka Kansai has enabled us to showcase our more than 6,600 hotels across the globe and further enhance our brands’ reputations, while helping to support the thousands of visitors arriving in Osaka. Meanwhile, across Japan, our more than 50 hotels, supported by our long-standing joint venture with ANA, continue to attract domestic and international travellers who know and trust our wide selection of brands.

“Being a part of World Expo has also enabled us to showcase our IHG Hotels & Resorts Masterbrand to new consumers as part of our Supporting Partner role at the UK Pavilion. Through this, I’m proud that we have been able to shine a spotlight on our hotels and the amazing teams that deliver IHG’s True Hospitality for Good every day.

“Since the opening of Expo our hotel teams have welcomed a wide range of domestic and international visitors including many visiting dignitaries. Head Chef Yoshitaka Shibahara and the Pierre team from InterContinental Osaka were honoured to be invited to craft the UK National Day menu for the dinner attended by Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, former Prime Minister Kishida, and Lisa Nandy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.”

In Japan, IHG has 54 hotels operating across 10 brands, with 17 properties in its pipeline.