ANA Holiday Inn Expands Into Japan’s Emerging Cities

TOKYO, May 26, 2026 — ANA Holiday Inn has expanded its hospitality footprint in Japan with the opening of two international full-service hotels in Sanda City and Tosu City, strengthening accommodation options in emerging regional destinations.

The launches of ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda and ANA Holiday Inn Tosu mark the first internationally branded full-service hotels in both cities and support growing domestic and inbound tourism across Kansai and Kyushu.

ANA Holiday Inn Strengthens Regional Japan Tourism

The two properties are operated by Select Hotels Group under the Holiday Inn and IHG Hotels & Resorts branding.

Hospitality analysts say international hotel operators are increasingly focusing on secondary Japanese cities as travelers seek destinations beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda is positioned between Kobe and Osaka with direct rail access through Woody Town Chuo Station and road connectivity via the Kobe–Sanda Interchange.

The hotel offers 130 guestrooms, including traditional Japanese-style accommodation with tatami flooring aimed at travelers seeking local cultural experiences within an international hotel environment.

ANA Holiday Inn Tosu Expands Kyushu Hospitality Access

ANA Holiday Inn Tosu is located near Tosu Junction, a key transportation hub connecting the Kyushu, Nagasaki and Oita expressways.

The property features 127 guestrooms and suites designed for business travelers, families and long-stay visitors exploring Saga Prefecture and wider Kyushu.

According to tourism experts, improved transport infrastructure and regional hotel development continue strengthening tourism activity across Japan’s secondary markets.

The Tosu hotel also provides convenient access to Fukuoka Airport, supporting business and leisure travel across southern Japan.

Hotels Target Family Travel and Meetings Market

Both properties feature the Apple Road restaurant concept serving breakfast, lunch and dinner options designed for domestic and international guests.

The hotels also participate in Holiday Inn’s Kids Stay & Eat Free programme for children aged 12 and under traveling with paying adults.

Each property includes six flexible meeting and event spaces capable of hosting up to 250 guests, positioning the hotels for regional conferences, business events and local gatherings.

Industry observers say the arrival of globally recognized hospitality brands in Sanda and Tosu could increase overnight tourism and encourage longer visitor stays across regional Japan.

Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts and Travel and Tour World reports.