IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced a new arrangement with Odate Royal Hotel Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of FET SYSTEM INC., to launch the ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami in the third quarter of 2025.

This venture signifies IHG’s second partnership with FET SYSTEM INC., following the success of the ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky.

ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami, currently known as Hotel City Plaza Kitakami, will undergo significant renovations over the next months. The hotel will feature 114 updated guest rooms, showcasing the beloved Holiday Inn design traditions, including the celebrated Open Lobby concept.

This new addition will bolster IHG’s portfolio, contributing to a total of 12 Holiday Inn hotels in operation or planned in Japan. Furthermore, it will expand the global reach of Holiday Inn, which currently includes 1,249 hotels and 266 properties in development worldwide.

The hotel aims to attract domestic and international clients, especially members of IHG’s award-winning loyalty program, IHG One Rewards. Guests can enjoy various amenities, including multiple dining options, a cafe and bar, banquet facilities, and traditional Japanese baths.

Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director for Japan & Micronesia at IHG, commented: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with FET SYSTEM INC. through the launch of ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami. This agreement reinforces our commitment to expanding the Holiday Inn brand across Japan, where we are rapidly growing our presence in multiple exceptional locations.”

He added, “This collaboration serves as another prime example of how opportunities for hotel owners can flourish while leveraging IHG’s worldwide influence and systems to maximize their profitability. We are excited to welcome guests to ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami later this year, including some of the 145 million members of IHG One Rewards we have globally.”

Hiroshi Nakamura, President & CEO of FET SYSTEM INC, shared: “It is a great honor to collaborate with IHG Hotels & Resorts to enhance our previous accomplishments and introduce the globally reputed Holiday Inn brand to Kitakami. The brand’s stature and reputation made it the top choice for us as we planned for this hotel. With its prime location and modern amenities, ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami will serve as an essential hub for travelers in the area.”

“Working with IHG has been a great experience. We look forward to welcoming guests to ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami and collaborating again in the future.”

The hotel’s location just a seven-minute walk from the Kitakami Station will provide seamless access to the Tohoku region, with a 2.5-hour train ride to Tokyo via the Shinkansen. Local attractions such as the well-known Tenshochi Park are renowned for their stunning cherry blossoms alongside the Kitakami River, as well as numerous other cultural and historical sites.

Currently, IHG operates five hotels under three brands in Tohoku, including ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort, ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen, ANA Holiday Inn Resort Appi Kogen, ANA Crowne Plaza Akita, and ANA Holiday Inn Sendai. With the upcoming launch of ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami, IHG will expand to six hotels and three Holiday Inn properties in Tohoku, underscoring its commitment to growth in Japan.