Frasers Hospitality Celebrates First Ground-Up Development in Japan: YOTEL Tokyo Ginza

This partnership with third-party operator YOTEL solidifies Frasers Hospitality’s strategic role as asset owner to bolster long-term growth in high-demand markets

Frasers Hospitality marked another milestone with the official opening of YOTEL Tokyo Ginza as the group’s first ground-up development and investment in Japan. Situated in the heart of Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most iconic neighbourhoods, the 244-room lifestyle hotel reflects Frasers Hospitality’s strategy of unlocking value in high-potential gateway cities across Asia through brand-agnostic partnerships and disciplined capital deployment.

The new landmark in Tokyo’s Ginza district sits on a prime yet under-utilised site that Frasers Hospitality had acquired and redeveloped into a vibrant lifestyle hotel destination in partnership with UK-based hospitality operator, YOTEL. The hotel was completed within budget and ahead of schedule, despite challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted over two years. It welcomed its first guests in December 2024 and celebrated its official launch in June 2025.

“YOTEL Tokyo Ginza integrates our strengths and expertise in investment, development and asset management while enabling us to be responsive to local market dynamics. Japan is a strategic market for our long-term growth, and we are proud to debut a distinctive product that caters to the evolving preferences of today’s modern travellers. This ground-up development exemplifies how we create and unlock value across the real estate cycle,” said Eu Chin Fen, Chief Executive Officer of Frasers Hospitality.

Brand-agnostic Investment, Market-fit Execution

YOTEL was appointed as the operating partner for its seamless strategic fit with the development. Its design-led, tech-enabled approach and space-efficient layout were particularly well-suited for Tokyo’s high-density, high-cost real estate market. The modular ‘cabins,’ ranging from 14 to 18 sqm, delivered an optimal configuration that balanced guest comfort with spatial efficiency, enabling a higher number of rooms and maximising potential returns per square metre. This brand-agnostic, returns-focused decision highlights Frasers Hospitality’s highly flexible and adaptable investment strategy, prioritising the optimal product-market fit over a one-size-fits-all model.

Since its soft opening, the hotel has maintained healthy occupancy levels exceeding 70 per cent. Ideally located near Shimbashi station and its bustling business district and within walking distance to Ginza’s shopping hub, the property draws domestic and international corporate and leisure travellers alike.

Scaling a Diversified Portfolio across Japan and Beyond

YOTEL Tokyo Ginza exemplifies the investment pillar of Frasers Hospitality’s “twin engines of growth” strategy, showcasing how strategic investments complement operational capabilities to scale up in key cities and deepen market penetration. It also aligns closely with Frasers Hospitality’s broader strategy of creating, sustaining and unlocking value across diverse hospitality and lodging asset classes and geographies.

Outside Japan, Frasers Hospitality is gearing up for the grand opening of Modena by Fraser Shenzhen, a 325-unit Premium Rental Apartment (PRA) located in the heart of Luohu District. Developed through a strategic joint venture with established real estate player Tishman Speyer, the property soft-opened in March 2025 and is slated for full opening in 4Q 2025. Designed to cater to the needs of a growing base of urban professionals, cross-border workers, and expatriates, Modena by Fraser Shenzhen features flexible layouts, communal spaces, and lifestyle amenities such as a gym, yoga studio, and pickleball court. The development marks one of Frasers Hospitality’s two inaugural PRA investments, alongside Estem Court Namba VII Beyond in Osaka, both acquired in mid-2023 as part of its strategic foray into the long-term living segment.

“Japan and China are cornerstone markets in our long-term North Asia strategy. These projects showcase our capability and expertise to adapt investment models to local market dynamics with discipline and agility. From a lifestyle hotel in Tokyo to PRAs in Shenzhen and Osaka, we leverage our integrated, end-to-end investor-developer-operator platform to deliver bespoke hospitality and lodging solutions that maximise returns as we deepen our presence in high-growth cities,” said Jason Leong, Executive Director, Head of Investment and Asset Management, Frasers Hospitality.

A Future-focused Lodging Investor

As a hospitality and lodging real estate specialist with over 26 years of experience, Frasers Hospitality remains committed to creating long-term value. From greenfield developments, conversions and reconfigurations to asset enhancements, it continues to execute bespoke investment and asset management strategies that deliver strong returns while mitigating risk. This disciplined approach is anchored in building a resilient, future-proof lodging portfolio, balancing lifestyle-led offerings with sustainable performance across market cycles. Frasers Hospitality is well-positioned to meet evolving guest expectations while driving lasting value for stakeholders.