SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia Signs SONO Moon Nagoya Near Nagoya Station
Tokyo, Japan, February 12, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia, a wholly owned subsidiary of SONO International, today announced the signing of SONO Moon Nagoya, marking the first hotel signing under SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia. The lifestyle midscale hotel will be located just an eight-minute walk from Nagoya Station, one of Japan’s most important transport hubs.
The signing represents a key milestone in SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia’ expansion in Japan, reinforcing the group’s strategy to grow in gateway cities through well-positioned assets that combine strong commercial fundamentals with a deep sense of place.
The hotel will be owned by ESCON JAPAN REIT Investment Corporation (ESCON REIT), with Polaris Holdings Co., Ltd. (Polaris), a listed Japanese hotel company, acting as master lessee. SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia will operate the hotel.
Situated at the intersection of Nagoya Station’s ongoing high-rise redevelopment and the historic downtown area centered around Yanagibashi Central Market, the hotel’s location captures both the city’s modern energy and its long-established local culture. As the first SONO Moon property in Japan, the hotel will draw inspiration from the destination’s history, food culture, seasonal festivals, and lesser-known local stories, offering guests a stay that feels distinctly rooted in Nagoya.
Wataru Orii, President and Representative Director of ES-CON ASSET MANAGEMENT Ltd., the asset manager of ESCON REIT, commented: “We are thrilled to have added this hotel, located in an excellent position close to Nagoya Station, to our portfolio. As we aim to further grow the hotel’s performance, we are delighted to have established a collaborative framework with SONO Group, which brings global expertise, and Polaris, which has a proven track record in Japan. Through the collaboration of our three companies, we strongly hope that SONO Group, which is opening its first hotel in Japan, will leverage its strong network to attract robust tourist demand from South Korea and drive significant growth for the hotel.”
Takahiro Tsujikawa, Director and Head of Development Division of Polaris added: “Polaris Group has been proactively undertaking new hotel management projects with a wide range of hotel owners to expand our operational platform. Through this new partnership with SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia, a member of the SONO Group, we are launching our first master lease business. With excellent access to JR Nagoya Station, one of Japan’s leading terminal stations, the hotel is well positioned to capture both business and leisure demand. Through close collaboration with SONO Group, we aim to maximize both earnings performance and customer value.”
Jihong An, Senior Vice President, SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia, said: “Japan is a strategic growth market for SONO, and this signing represents an important first step in building a long-term presence here. SONO Moon Nagoya reflects our approach to combining strong locations, flexible operating models, and brands that resonate with today’s travellers. With major demand drivers ahead, including the Asian Games in September, we see strong potential for Nagoya as a gateway city. By leveraging SONO’s hospitality platform, our growing international portfolio, and the wider ecosystem of the group, including our airline business, we aim to drive sustainable demand and create long-term value for our partners in Japan.”
About SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia
SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia is a global hotel management company wholly owned by SONO International, one of South Korea’s leading hospitality groups, renowned for its scale, regional expertise, and innovation-driven approach. Backed by SONO International’s portfolio of over 14,500 operating rooms in 7 countries worldwide, the group operates across South Korea, the United States, France, and key Asia markets including Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Beyond hospitality, SONO also owns T’way Air, a fast-growing airline that further strengthens the group’s integrated travel and tourism ecosystem. Currently, SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia manages 16 hotels in Thailand and Indonesia and is poised for accelerated growth, with more than 12 additional properties in its development pipeline across Asia by 2029. Leveraging the strength and resources of SONO International, the company delivers comprehensive, end-to-end hotel development services—ranging from project sourcing and strategic planning to design and construction support, as well as pre-opening and long-term hotel operations.