Hyatt's Unbound Collection Arrives in Nara

Hyatt Unbound Collection comes to Japan's Nara

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that an affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with JR Tokai Hotels Co., Ltd. for Hotel NEI Nara, which will be located in downtown Nara. This hotel will be situated at the entrance to Nara Park, offering views of iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hotel NEI Nara will be the first property in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in western Japan and the third overall in the country, joining Fuji Speedway Hotel in Shizuoka and Hotel Toranomon Hills in Tokyo. The project is a collaboration among Central Japan Railway Company, JR Tokai Real Estate Co., Ltd., and JR Tokai Hotels Co., Ltd.

The Unbound Collection by Hyatt caters to travellers seeking an enhanced yet unique experience. This collection features a curated selection of one-of-a-kind, story-worthy hotels, each offering guests unforgettable experiences in exceptional locations. These range from luxurious boutique hotels in historic landmarks to modern retreats that serve as hidden urban havens. Hotel NEI Nara will join 39 other properties in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio worldwide.

In Japanese, NEI Nara is written as 寧奈良. The character "Nei" (寧) connotes serenity and tranquillity, embodying a deep respect for tradition and a return to origins. This sets the stage for guests to experience and discover the city’s timeless heritage and mystical charms alongside modern hospitality.

The ancient city of Nara boasted a history of over 1,300 years and was the spiritual centre where Buddhism first flourished in Japan. Home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including preserved temples, shrines, and stunning gardens, Nara is a premier travel destination year-round in the Kansai region. Hotel NEI Nara will serve as an ideal base for exploring Nara Park and its free-roaming deer, as well as the distinctive Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the renowned Kofuku-ji Temple, and the magnificent Todai-ji Temple, which houses one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues. The property's prime location provides easy access through Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station. Nara is just an hour away from Kyoto and Osaka by express train and approximately three and a half hours from Tokyo via Kyoto using the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train.

According to the Nara City Tourism Survey 2023, the number of tourists visiting Nara in 2023 increased by over 30% year-on-year, totalling more than 12 million. Overnight tourists exceeded 1.7 million, surpassing the pre-pandemic level in 2019. Overseas visitors topped 1.8 million, eight times more than the previous year.

“We are honoured to join hands for the first time with JR Tokai Group to bring The Unbound Collection by Hyatt to western Japan,” said Sam Sakamura, Vice President of Japan and Micronesia, Hyatt.

“We look forward to the opening of this luxury boutique hotel that will appeal to guests and World of Hyatt members from all over the world.”

“As the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Nara is a very special place,” said Tom Pritzker, executive chairman of the board of directors, Hyatt.

“The city’s historical and cultural importance is awe-inspiring, and adding a Hyatt hotel in this location is a unique opportunity that we couldn’t be more excited about.”

“We actively promote the uniqueness of Nara to people in Tokyo and across Japan, with tremendous support from the people of Nara,” said Shunsuke Niwa, President of Central Japan Railway Company. 

“We are honoured by this collaboration with Hyatt, which has luxury hotels around the world. Through our planned first base in this wonderful city, we are excited about working with the local community to create even more attractive travel opportunities for Nara. We hope to entice both domestic and international travellers to have culturally rich experiences in this historic and spiritual city.”