Conrad Kobe Signed as Hilton Expands Presence in Japan

Conrad Kobe to Open in 2030 as Part of Kobe City Redevelopment Project

Hilton has announced an agreement with ORIX Real Estate Corporation to introduce the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand to Kobe, marking the company’s first hotel in Hyogo Prefecture.

The property, named Conrad Kobe, will be part of the redevelopment of Kobe City Hall Building No. 2. The development is being undertaken by a consortium led by ORIX Real Estate Corporation and six partner companies. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2030 and will be managed by Hilton.

According to Hirohisa Fujimoto, Vice President of Development, Japan & Micronesia at Hilton, the project will strengthen the company’s luxury portfolio in the Kansai region and expand the Conrad brand’s presence in Japan.

Conrad Kobe will occupy the upper floors of a new mixed-use high-rise building connected to Sannomiya-Hanadokeimae Station via an underground link. The location places the hotel between Kobe’s waterfront district and city centre, with convenient access to attractions including the Former Foreign Settlement and Nankinmachi.

Kobe is known for its port heritage, mountain landscapes, hot springs and food culture. The city has seen steady growth in tourism, with visitor stays reaching 7.75 million in 2025, including 1.4 million international overnight stays. Future plans for Kobe Airport, including scheduled international services by 2030, are expected to support further growth in inbound tourism.

Tatsuya Kitamura, President of ORIX Real Estate Corporation, said the project aims to enhance urban functionality, contribute to the city’s ongoing development, and create new opportunities for visitors and residents.

The hotel will feature 136 guest rooms and suites, alongside an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, a lobby lounge and a cocktail bar. Additional facilities will include an executive lounge, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a spa.

For meetings and events, the property will offer a ballroom of approximately 500 square metres, supported by a range of meeting spaces suitable for conferences, corporate events and social gatherings.

Joseph Khairallah, Area Vice President and Head of Japan, Korea & Micronesia at Hilton, said the signing reflects the company’s continued expansion in Japan and highlights Kobe’s position as an international gateway city.

Conrad currently operates hotels in Tokyo and Osaka. The brand is also preparing to open Conrad Nagoya in July 2026 and Conrad Yokohama in 2027.

Hilton continues to expand its luxury portfolio across Japan. Following the opening of Waldorf Astoria Osaka, the company plans to launch Waldorf Astoria Tokyo Nihonbashi Hotel & Residences in 2027. LXR Hotels & Resorts, currently represented by ROKU KYOTO, is also expected to expand with future projects in Tokyo, Hakone-Gora, Niseko, and Hiroshima.

Conrad Kobe will participate in Hilton Honors, Hilton’s loyalty programme, offering members benefits including flexible points redemption, member discounts, digital check-in and Digital Key access through the Hilton Honors mobile application.

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