IHG Hotels expands in Japan with ANA Holiday Inn, bringing trusted international hospitality to new destinations through a major rebranding initiative. In partnership with FET SYSTEM INC, IHG will transform two existing properties into ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda and ANA Holiday Inn Tosu, introducing the globally recognized Holiday Inn brand to Sanda and Tosu City for the first time. This strategic move reflects IHG’s growing footprint in Japan and its commitment to delivering reliable, comfortable accommodations tailored to local and international travelers alike.
Scheduled for 2026, the rebrands include extensive renovations designed to embed Holiday Inn’s signature style and service into every detail. With these openings, IHG not only expands its presence in Japan but also fulfills increasing demand for high-quality, quick-to-market hotel conversions that leverage its global standards and powerful enterprise platform. For business and leisure travelers alike, these properties promise an upgraded experience rooted in Holiday Inn’s longstanding reputation for hospitality.
Two New ANA Holiday Inn Destinations in Japan
Located 40 kilometers north of Kobe City, the future ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda will transform the current Celecton Premier Kobe Sanda Hotel into a 130-room property showcasing Holiday Inn’s signature brand hallmarks. The hotel is uniquely positioned to serve both leisure and corporate guests, surrounded by nature with panoramic views ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, cycling, and golf. Beyond leisure travelers, it will also act as a central hub for community events and meetings, offering flexible event spaces designed to bring people together in a welcoming, professional environment.
Meanwhile, the ANA Holiday Inn Tosu, currently operating as Hotel Bientos, will be a 126-room property located in Saga Prefecture, approximately 30 kilometers from Fukuoka City. The hotel’s convenient position—just five minutes from Tosu Station—offers easy access to local shops, restaurants, and attractions. Its strategic location is expected to appeal to corporate travelers given the area’s robust manufacturing sector, while also providing leisure guests with access to regional highlights and cultural experiences.
With these two additions, IHG’s Holiday Inn brand will expand its portfolio in Japan to 15 open and pipeline hotels, strengthening the brand’s promise to deliver consistent, dependable quality in both familiar and emerging destinations. This expansion underscores the company’s ongoing investment in Japan as a vital growth market for hospitality.
Embracing Holiday Inn’s Global Brand Hallmarks
Both new properties will undergo extensive renovations prior to reopening, ensuring they reflect the modern, guest-friendly features that Holiday Inn is known for around the world. A central element of the transformation will be the implementation of the signature Open Lobby concept, which breaks down traditional barriers between front desk, lobby, restaurant, and lounge spaces to create a vibrant, welcoming environment where guests can eat, work, relax, and socialize comfortably.
The Open Lobby concept has become one of Holiday Inn’s most recognizable design features, celebrated for its ability to adapt to travelers’ needs while fostering a sense of connection and community. Guests at the future ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda and ANA Holiday Inn Tosu will enjoy a seamless experience where convenience and comfort come together effortlessly—from casual dining to business meetings or simply unwinding after a long day of travel.
By bringing this internationally trusted brand to new cities, IHG and FET SYSTEM INC are setting a new standard for hospitality in Sanda and Tosu. It’s an opportunity to introduce travelers to the region while giving local communities a modern, reliable space for gatherings, events, and daily life.
HotelLocationCurrent NameRoomsOpeningANA Holiday Inn Kobe SandaSanda, Hyogo PrefectureThe Celecton Premier Kobe Sanda Hotel1302026ANA Holiday Inn TosuTosu, Saga PrefectureHotel Bientos1262026Strategic Partnership and Local Impact
The expansion represents the latest milestone in a successful partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and FET SYSTEM INC. Their collaboration underscores a shared commitment to bringing globally respected hospitality brands to underserved markets in Japan. The partnership has already resulted in several successful projects, with these new additions strengthening the relationship and extending the Holiday Inn experience to regions previously without international brand presence.
Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director, Japan & Micronesia, IHG Hotels & Resorts and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, highlighted the significance of the continued collaboration: “Building on our successful partnership with FET SYSTEMS INC is another wonderful milestone in our growth journey and together we are celebrating the addition of two new ANA Holiday Inn hotels into the IHG system.”
He also noted the broader context of IHG’s strategy, pointing to high global demand for quick-to-market conversions. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, conversions represented around 60% of IHG’s openings and 40% of organic signings, reflecting a growing appetite for reliable, well-branded accommodations in emerging markets and regional cities.
For FET SYSTEM INC, the collaboration represents an opportunity to elevate local hospitality offerings and attract a wider mix of travelers. Hiroshi Nakamura, President & CEO of FET SYSTEM INC., expressed enthusiasm for the project: “The team at FET SYSTEMS INC is delighted to extend our collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the much-loved Holiday Inn brand to new destinations, providing visitors the opportunity to stay in the first internationally branded hotel in these cities.”
Expanding IHG’s Footprint in Japan
IHG’s strategy for Japan has long recognized the country’s diverse travel market and the potential for growth beyond traditional urban centers. Currently, IHG operates 54 hotels across 10 brands in Japan, with 17 more in the pipeline. These new Holiday Inn properties in Sanda and Tosu will help meet growing demand from domestic and international travelers while diversifying IHG’s presence across key regions.
In addition to the two newly announced conversions, IHG is preparing to open ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami, further reinforcing its commitment to bringing global standards and trusted hospitality to more destinations across Japan. This expansion aligns with broader trends in the industry as more travelers seek reliable brands they recognize in new markets.
For Holiday Inn fans, this means even more opportunities to experience the brand’s welcoming spirit and consistent service, whether traveling for business, leisure, or family events. For local economies, the arrival of international hotel brands can boost tourism, support employment, and create new venues for meetings, events, and community gatherings.
54 existing IHG hotels in Japan across 10 brands17 hotels in the pipelineHoliday Inn’s global footprint: 1,241 open hotels, 273 in the pipelineBrand hallmarks including Open Lobby concept coming to Sanda and Tosu
Ultimately, IHG’s move to rebrand these hotels to ANA Holiday Inn reflects a vision for the future of travel in Japan: one where guests can expect a consistently high standard of comfort and service no matter where their journeys take them. By choosing to invest in Sanda and Tosu, IHG and FET SYSTEM INC are not only expanding their own networks but also enriching the travel landscape of Japan itself—making it easier for people to explore, connect, and experience the country with the confidence that only a trusted global brand can deliver.
AloJapan.com