voco Osaka Central
Opening today, May 30th IHG Hotels & Resorts' new brand "voco" opens in Japan for the first time

NTT Urban Development Corporation has been developing a hotel that will serve as a base for touring various parts of Osaka, based on the concept of "Color from here. Travel from here." The Kyomachibori area of Osaka surrounding the hotel is a bustling area with a long history, where merchants from Kyoto once opened a market. The hotel retains the appearance of the Kyomachi Building, which was built in the Taisho era, by reusing and reconstructing the exterior reliefs, mailboxes, and doors that were actually used in the Kyomachi Building that once stood here, for the interior art and exterior walls.

The interior design was handled by NAO Taniyama & Associates (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), who created a unique space inspired by the history of Osaka, the "City of Water," and Kyomachibori. The timber frame design, inspired by the storehouses that once lined Kyomachibori, creates a sense of unity in the space. This timber frame design uses newly processed wood and recycled materials such as pillars and beams that were actually used in pre-war houses. Guests are warmly welcomed in a space that evokes both newness and nostalgia.

"voco Osaka Central" will be the first Japanese hotel under the "voco" brand, operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts. In addition to 191 guest rooms, most of which are in the 30-square-meter range, the hotel will also have a restaurant, cafe & bar, fitness gym, and meeting rooms.

A restaurant open to the community

The restaurant, cafe and bar, called "LOKAL HOUSE," is located on the first and second floors facing Yotsubashi-suji. It features an open kitchen that exudes a sense of realism and a warm bar counter, welcoming not only guests but also the local community in a space that is open to them.

The restaurant will offer a creative menu throughout the day that incorporates local food culture and seasonal ingredients, with a focus on grilled dishes.The cafe and bar will also serve local Osaka coffee and beer, creating a space that is open to the locals and where both those who don't like alcohol and those who do can enjoy a menu that is full of local flavor.

The new executive chef is Aldo Chiroiro, a native of Italy who has a wealth of experience working in hotels both in Japan and overseas. Chiroiro will combine seasonal local Osaka ingredients with the essence of Italian and other Western cooking techniques to deliver a dining experience that can only be enjoyed here.

Eco-friendly services and distinctive guest rooms

The guest rooms offer environmentally friendly services, including bedding made from recycled materials, water-saving shower heads, bamboo toothbrushes and combs, wooden card keys, and plant-based bath amenities instead of miniature bottles.

The hotel's brand colors stand out against the calming gray walls, and the standard guest rooms are around 30 square meters in size. They are equipped with chairs, sofas, and tables that are designed with the utmost in comfort for guests, creating a private space in which guests can feel comfortable for a variety of purposes, whether for business or leisure. The guest rooms come with terraces, providing a space where guests can feel the open feeling of the outdoors close by, even while in the city, meeting a variety of accommodation needs.

About IHG Hotels & Resorts

A global hospitality company with 18 hotel brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn, operating approximately 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries.

In Japan, the company operates 44 hotels across six brands: InterContinental, Kimpton, ANA Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn (Resort), Holiday Inn Express, and Hotel Indigo, and this hotel will be the 45th to open in Japan.

About UD Hospitality Management Co., Ltd., a hotel management company

UD Hospitality Management, a member of NTT Urban Development Group, is a company committed to creating rich and attractive cities through hotel management. Since its establishment in April 2018, the company has collaborated with various hotel operators, including those entering Japan for the first time, to develop hotels across the country that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each city and location.

Currently, we operate a total of four hotels, including this one, and if we include hotels under planning or development, the total number of hotels will reach eight, with approximately 1,300 rooms.