The JW Marriott Nara has opened in Japan, debuting Marriott’s luxury hotel brand in the country and the first international branded hotel in the city.

Nara has long been celebrated as the birthplace of Japanese culture and was the country’s first capital, 1,300 years ago. The city is located to the east of Osaka, with Osaka International Airport approximately 75 kilometers away, making this location easily accessible to both domestic and overseas travellers.

Renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage site, which encompasses 20 historic temples and shrines venues, Nara offers meeting and incentive travellers a refreshing alternative to city hotels, while the hotel, through locally inspired design, integrates its tranquil natural surroundings into an overall aesthetic that showcases the beauty of the destination.

Conceptualized by design firm GA Group of London, the hotel boasts 158 guestrooms, including 16 luxurious suites. All rooms featuring the warm tones of timber, bronze, and leather as found in the traditional homes of Nara. Sculptural representations of deer antlers hang over the sumptuous guestroom beds, echoing the recurring motif of the iconic Nara deer that can be found throughout the hotel.

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The new JW Marriott hotel is also slated to become a dining destination for the city, with Silk Road Dining, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, featuring an open kitchen and design details incorporating elements from the ancient maritime Silk Road, of which the city of Nara was the final destination. In addition, specialty restaurant Azekuraoffers three distinctive styles of Japanese cuisine – teppanyaki, sushi, and kaiseki – in a contemporary space inspired by the artifacts of the eighth-century Emperor Shomu’s treasure-house; while the Flying Stag is the hotel’s lobby lounge and bar.

A luxurious Executive Lounge, set away from the more social areas of the hotel, offers a comfortable space in which to catch up on work or enjoy a quiet chat over drinks and light snacks.

JW Marriott Nara is set to become the preferred venue in Nara for meetings, weddings, and other events. A ballroom and four customizable meeting rooms lead off from the main lobby via a dramatic Grand Staircase, and collectively offer 640 square meters of event space. Along with a dedicated events team to ensure a seamless occasion, the hotel also offers a bespoke JW Wellness Break program during meetings, which provides participants with mindfulness exercises and activities to re-energize and enhance focus.

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The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center and indoor swimming pool, as well as a luxurious Spa by JW. The Spa, in natural timber and stone, reimagines the peaceful calm of the nearby temples and features an inviting menu of treatments including massages, facials, and therapy baths.

“We are very excited to celebrate the opening of JW Marriott Nara,” says Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “The entry of the JW Marriott brand into the Japanese market is a very significant milestone for us, marking Marriott International’s 50^th property in Japan. This debut represents our commitment to our company’s expanding presence in Japan to serve the needs of both domestic and international travelers visiting this beautiful region.”

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