TOKYO, Aug. 1, 2017 — Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced that it plans to open Hotel Gracery Asakusa in Tokyo in the fall of 2018. The hotel will be the tenth and newest property in the company's Hotel Gracery group.

Asakusa, known for its venerable temples and shrines, traditional eateries, and artisan shops, is a popular sightseeing area for international visitors with its nostalgic downtown atmosphere reminiscent of old Tokyo. With easy access to/from Narita and Haneda airports and other key shopping/entertainment districts of Tokyo (16 minutes on subway to/from Ginza, four minutes on Tsukuba Express train to/from Akihabara), the 125-room hotel will provide a much needed base to explore Tokyo.

"While almost every international visitor to Tokyo comes to Asakusa to experience "Old Tokyo," there aren't many sizable hotels in the area," said Akira Segawa, President and CEO of Fujita Kanko. "With the opening of Hotel Gracery Asakusa, we want to help international guests experience a historic part of Tokyo like locals."

The hotel, conveniently located near the Asakusa subway station, will emphasize concierge service to provide local information and assist international visitors with various activities. Spacious guest rooms will all have separate toilets/bathrooms for additional comfort.

Notable Asakusa sites include Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple built in the 7th century, Nakamise Dori, a long shopping street leading to Sensoji packed with traditional crafts, souvenirs and street food, and Hanayashiki, Japan's oldest amusement park. Tokyo's biggest traditional festival, Sanja matsuri, happens in Asakusa each May. The nearby Sumida River has been a favorite recreational spot for Tokyoites to enjoy river cruises and fireworks going back hundreds of years. Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan with an observation deck, stands across the river.

Future scheduled Gracery openings include Hotel Gracery Seoul in 2018 and Hotel Gracery Taipei in 2019. Recently opened locations are in Naha (Okinawa), Kyoto, and Shinjuku (Tokyo) with the popular Godzilla-themed Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.