IHG to Bring Regent Hotels & Resorts to Karuizawa, Japan

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) announced this week it will debut the Regent brand’s first resort in Japan with the opening of Regent Karuizawa in 2028. The 58-key onsen retreat will be located in one of Japan’s most storied mountain destinations, known for its natural beauty, cultural appeal, and proximity to Tokyo.

Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the property will feature rooms and villas surrounded by forests, hot springs and views of Mount Asama. The retreat will include multiple dining venues, a spa and onsen, a gym and meeting spaces.

“Karuizawa is a special location within easy reach of Tokyo, renowned for its outstanding natural habitat and relaxing, rejuvenating environment,” Abhijay Sandilya, managing director for Japan & Micronesia at IHG and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, said in a statement. “Regent is the perfect brand for this site as it enables us to create an immersive destination that harmonizes tranquility, exploration and luxury while providing seamless experiences for guests that will establish a new standard for luxury hospitality in the area.”

A Growing Luxury Hub

Long a favored destination of Japan’s Imperial Family and elite holidaymakers, Karuizawa has seen inbound tourism climb 30 percent since 2019, according to IHG. The town offers year-round appeal, from ski resorts and golf courses to shopping streets, waterfalls and fine dining—all within an hour of Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Regent Karuizawa will join the Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, further deepening IHG’s footprint in the destination. It also complements Regent Kyoto, which is scheduled to open earlier in 2028.

Regent’s Global Expansion Strategy

The Karuizawa announcement underscores IHG’s broader ambitions for Regent Hotels & Resorts, which it acquired in 2018. Regent is central to IHG’s strategy to compete at the very top of the luxury segment, alongside established players like Four Seasons, Aman, and Mandarin Oriental. The company has been methodically growing Regent’s pipeline with openings in urban centers like Hong Kong and Shanghai, while branching into resort markets such as Vietnam’s Phu Quoc and Santa Monica Beach in the U.S.

By positioning Regent as both a city and resort brand, IHG aims to fill white space in its luxury portfolio—long dominated by the InterContinental brand but recently elevated with acquisitions of both Six Senses and Regent in recent years—and create a halo effect across its system. Regent Karuizawa, with its blend of traditional Japanese onsen culture and modern design, reflects that ambition.

IHG currently has 55 hotels across 10 brands open in Japan, with 17 more in the pipeline. Regent Karuizawa will be the brand’s second property in the country when it debuts.

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