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Hiroshi Nakamura, President & CEO, FET SYSTEM INC & Kiyohito Iinuma, COO, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan – Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts
IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to expand its presence in Japan by refurbishing and reopening the 114-room ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami, slated for Q3 of 2025.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Odate Royal Hotel Inc., a FET SYSTEM INC. subsidiary, announced plans to open ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami in Q3 2025. This marks the second collaboration between IHG and FET SYSTEM INC., following their joint venture with ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky.
Presently operating as Hotel City Plaza Kitakami, the building is scheduled for an extensive renovation. The refurbishment will upgrade its 114 guest rooms and introduce Holiday Inn brand features, including its signature Open Lobby concept.
Upon reopening, ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami will join the growing portfolio of 12 Holiday Inn hotels operational and in the pipeline across Japan. This addition further cements the brand’s prominence in the country and extends its global footprint, which currently boasts 1,249 open hotels and 266 pipeline properties worldwide.
The renovated hotel will attract domestic and international guests, including IHG One Rewards members. Amenities include multiple dining options, a café and bar, banquet rooms, and traditional Japanese baths.
Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s Managing Director for Japan & Micronesia, and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, expressed delight at strengthening their partnership with FET SYSTEM INC. He underscored IHG’s commitment to expanding the Holiday Inn brand in Japan and leveraging IHG’s global scale and enterprise systems for maximized returns.
Sandilya anticipates welcoming guests to ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami later this year, including the 145 million IHG One Rewards members worldwide.
Hiroshi Nakamura, President & CEO of FET SYSTEM INC., also expressed pleasure in collaborating with IHG. He noted the Holiday Inn brand’s scale and reputation as key decision factors in their strategy for the hotel. With its central location and upgraded facilities, Nakamura envisions the hotel serving as a hub for travelers exploring the region.
Located a seven-minute walk from JR Kitakami Station, the hotel provides easy access to the Tohoku region. It also offers proximity to key local attractions, such as the famous Tenshochi Park and other renowned cultural and historical sites.
IHG currently operates five hotels under three brands in Tohoku. The opening of ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami will mark the sixth IHG hotel and the third Holiday Inn property in Tohoku, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to growth in Japan.
