ANA Crown Plaza Osaka - re-branding and remodeling for luxury in Japan
May 31, 2008
The Osaka ANA Hotel has announced the October 1st opening of the ANA Crown Plaza Osaka hotel as part of their 25th anniversary commemoration. This year is a turning point for the hotel, and to mark the occasion the hotel will undergo some major changes, including re-branding and remodeling into an international standard luxury hotel. The remodeling will begin at the end of June, starting with the guest rooms, and will soon be followed by large scale renovations in other areas of the hotel.
Japanese watch maker Seiko, in partnership with lacquer varnish firm Chon Yonboku, have announced their newest products from their luxury brand Credor. The new Credor design features a uniting of traditional lacquer craftsmanship and expert watch making. The new watch designs, ranging in price from ¥3,675,000 to ¥52,500,000 will be released in May and July of this year.
This year the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel will celebrate its 15th anniversary by holding special events and accommodation selections, along with themed menu courses throughout the year. In their first floor cafeteria the special lunch menu features local seasonal vegetables and other regional varieties blended into internationally influenced dishes such as vegetable crepes and handmade carrot pasta.
Tourism officials in Kagoshima Prefecture, in the very south of Japan, predict a record 43 cruise ships will enter their harbor this year, of which 31 are expected to be foreign ships.
In 2007 Japan's champagne imports increased by 14.43% over the previous year, with more than 9,000,000 bottles brought into the Japanese market. Despite this increase Japan remained in 6th place in the world for champagne imports for the second year in a row, indicating a global increase in demand for champagne.
On May 8, 2008, JTB Japanfs luxury travel branch "Royal Road Ginza" began sales for their 10 day European tour package. The tour includes a private jet, a sail around the Aegean Sea, a visit to Tuscany, and the opportunity to take in the night view of Paris.
On In the city of Kyoto, a battle over foreign luxury brands is unfolding among high end department stores. For many years the Kawaramachi area has been the location of Takashimaya, a department store focusing on high end consumers and luxury brands, as well as the central business area.
On LVJ Group KK, which imports and sells products made by French luxury brand Louis Vuitton, unveiled plans recently to open their flagship store in 2010 in Tokyo's posh Ginza district.
On May 8th French luxury brand Cartier announced the beginning of online shopping in Japan, the first market to experience such a venture from Cartier.
According to a recent survey conducted by MyVoice online research, in the Japanese market luxury brand products are the most purchased items on the web with 45% of respondents having purchased these high-end brands. Clothing accounted for 20.8% while footwear, handbags, and accessories accounted for 19.5%.
The scenic Kobe bay area is the site of a unique development plan, including luxurious suites and hotels which will fit in well with the area's current trendy and chic image.
According to the Japan Association of Vehicle Importers, 2814 Mercedes-Benz vehicles were imported into Japan in April of this year, an 18% increase over the same month last year. 
Media personnel gathered at the Prada Aoyama Epicenter in Minato-ku in Tokyo on May 8th for the unveiling of the new PRADA Phone by LG (L852i).
High end supermarkets in Japan are aiming for rapid expansion, with particular focus on expensive food products aimed at customers in the higher end of the age range.