City Express Set For Japan Debut In Osaka In 2026

Published on Nov 11, 2025, 3:18 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

Marriott will debut City Express in Asia Pacific with two Osaka conversions reopening in 2026
Properties are planned as City Express by Marriott Osaka Namba South with 143 rooms, and Osaka Shin-Imamiya with 100 rooms
Pacifica Hotels G.K. signed franchise agreements with Marriott and will rebrand existing hotels
Move follows Marriott's $100 million acquisition of the City Express brand in 2022
City Express entered the U.S. earlier this year with an opening in Duluth, Georgia

Impact

More Midscale Choice In Osaka: Travelers gain additional lower priced, branded options near Namba and Shin-Imamiya in 2026
Good For Rail And Airport Links: Shin-Imamiya sits by JR Osaka Loop and Nankai lines for Kansai Airport access, Namba area supports central transfers
Watch Conversion Timeline: Both sites are conversions, so exact reopening months and amenities can shift during rebrand work
Rate Pressure Context: New supply in the midscale tier may ease some price pressure as Japan rates remain elevated
Loyalty And Earning: Properties are expected to participate in Marriott Bonvoy after opening, useful for points and status plans

Marriott International will introduce City Express to Asia Pacific with two Osaka conversions slated to reopen in 2026. Pacifica Hotels G.K. signed franchise agreements to rebrand existing properties as City Express by Marriott Osaka Namba South, with 143 rooms, and City Express by Marriott Osaka Shin-Imamiya, with 100 rooms. The announcement extends Marriott's midscale push into Japan at a time when hotel rates have been rising, giving travelers a simpler, lower priced option in high demand districts. Marriott positioned the move as part of a broader midscale expansion that started with its 2022 acquisition of the City Express brand portfolio for $ 100,000,000.

The Osaka Namba South property is planned at 143 rooms following a conversion and brand refresh. The Shin-Imamiya site is a nine story standalone building, adjacent to Shin-Imamiya Station in Haginochaya, Nishinari Ward, with direct access to the JR Osaka Loop Line, the Nankai Main Line, and Osaka Metro. That location offers straightforward rail links across the city and to Kansai International via the Nankai services, which is useful for early departures and late arrivals. Both sites target a 2026 reopening after works complete.

Pacifica Hotels G.K., through subsidiary Shin Imamiya Hospitality, will serve as franchisee. In announcing the deal, the developer framed City Express as a value play in a market where average rates have climbed sharply, arguing that a standardized, efficiency focused product can meet demand from both domestic and inbound travelers. The company's statement set expectations for a spring 2026 relaunch, subject to renovation schedules and approvals.

City Express is Marriott's affordable midscale brand that it acquired from Mexico based Hoteles City Express in 2022. The portfolio buy brought Marriott into a segment it had not historically served, and it has since started to scale in the United States and Canada. Earlier this year, City Express by Marriott opened in Duluth, Georgia, marking the brand's U.S. debut, with additional North American openings planned. The Japan announcement builds on that trajectory and extends the brand into one of Asia's busiest urban hotel markets.

Background

Midscale in Marriott's taxonomy means simpler rooms, tighter footprints, and fewer on property outlets compared with full service brands, which keeps nightly rates lower. For travelers, that often translates to practical locations, reliable basics, and participation in the Marriott Bonvoy program for earning and redemption. In Osaka, the Namba area anchors major shopping and dining, while Shin-Imamiya's interchange makes it a functional base for Kansai Airport, Nara, Kyoto, and Universal Studios transfers.

Analysis

For travelers planning Japan trips in 2026, these conversions add branded choices near transport. Expect straightforward rooms, a breakfast offering, and limited service amenities, comparable to the City Express model now live in the United States. Since both Osaka sites are conversions, watch for phased soft openings or floor by floor room releases. Construction timelines in dense districts can shift around permitting and supply issues, so keep an eye on Marriott's listings and the developer's updates as 2026 approaches. If rates in central Osaka remain high, these properties could become popular for price sensitive itineraries that prioritize location and rail access.

Final thoughts

City Express by Marriott's Osaka debut is a practical expansion that should help fill the gap between hostels and full service hotels. If the Duluth, Georgia opening is a guide, the Japan launch will focus on simple rooms in strong locations, paired with loyalty earning to sweeten the value.