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From left to right: Mr. Kohei Motoyama, President and Representative Director, Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd.; Mr. Masataka Abe, President and Representative Director, Royal Holdings Co., Ltd.; Mr. William E. Heinecke, Founder & Chairman, Minor International; Mr. Hisashi Kitami, President & CEO of List Co., Ltd.; Mr. Hiroyuki Kiuchi, President & COO of List Development Co., Ltd. – Image Credit Minor Hotels
Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd. and List Development Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement to open the Anantara Karuizawa Retreat in Japan by 2030.
Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Royal Holdings Co., Ltd. and Minor Hotels, has signed a management contract with List Development Co., Ltd. to develop the Anantara Karuizawa Retreat in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The project is scheduled to open in 2030.
The new Anantara property will be situated on a 10-acre site in Karuizawa, facing Mount Asama. It will feature 51 keys, including suites and branded residences. The development aims to capitalize on the area’s natural beauty and proximity to Karuizawa Hokuriku Shinkansen Station, providing convenient access from Tokyo and nearby cities.
The retreat will feature 23 suites, ranging from 60 to 120 square meters, and 18 villas, which may be offered as branded residences in the future. These villas will range from 70 to 270 square meters, adding 28 keys to the hotel’s inventory. Dining options will include three on-site outlets: an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty concept, and a bar.
Wellness amenities will be a significant aspect of the retreat, featuring an Anantara Spa, onsen, and additional wellness programming. Other facilities will include a swimming pool, fitness center, library, and residents’ lounge. Meeting facilities will also be available to accommodate corporate events.
The retreat’s design is expected to incorporate modern elements with natural materials, such as exposed timber and large windows, to harmonize with the environment and offer views of Mount Asama.
The signing of this agreement marks the first project following the establishment of Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd. in March 2025. The company plans to collaborate with Japanese real estate developers to operate hotels under Minor Hotels’ brands, including Anantara, Tivoli, and Avani, to open 21 hotels in Japan by 2035.
The management agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Tokyo American Club on July 10, 2025.
