IHG expands Garner brand in Kansai, Japan

A rendering of the Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma © IHG
Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma will become the fourth Garner property in Japan, marking another milestone in the brand’s rapid nationwide expansion

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced an agreement with Taisei Yuraku Real Estate Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Takeshi Uekusa) and Pacifica Hotels G.K. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Seth Sulkin) to open a 103-room hotel under Garner, IHG’s newest mainstream conversion brand, marking the brand’s expansion into the much-loved city of Kyoto.

What to expect and where

Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, the fourth Garner property in Japan, will join the IHG system in November 2025 following a full renovation, featuring updated interiors and key Garner brand elements.

Located in Kyoto’s upscale Shijo Karasuma area, the hotel enhances IHG’s presence and offers more options for mainstream travelers. It is within walking distance of the Gojo and Shijo subway stations as well as a 10-minute taxi ride to Kyoto Station for the Shinkansen train.

Seth Sulkin, Representative Director and President, Pacifica Hotels G.K said, “This agreement builds on an existing relationship with IHG and we look forward to being part of the expansion of the Garner brand in Japan as we grow our portfolio of hotels in the midscale category where we see there’s strong headroom for growth.”

IHG’s nationwide footprint

When Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma opens in late 2025, it will bring IHG’s total number of hotels in Kyoto to four, alongside Six Senses Kyoto, ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, and Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo. The luxury Regent Kyoto is also set to open in 2028.

Across Japan, IHG operates 54 hotels under 10 brands, with 17 more in the pipeline, as it continues to grow its presence nationwide.

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