August, 2026 —Marriott International has signed an agreement with a fund formed by LaSalle Investment Management and EastGate Hospitality Co., Ltd. to open City Express by Marriott Okinawa Naha, marking the brand’s first entry into Okinawa and another step in its expansion across Japan.
Scheduled to open in spring 2027, the 215-room property will operate from an existing building in central Naha, Okinawa Prefecture. The development is positioned within Marriott International’s strategy to expand its midscale hotel portfolio across the Asia Pacific region, with City Express by Marriott designed to serve travelers seeking value, convenient locations, consistent quality, and essential accommodation facilities.
For Marriott International, the agreement introduces the City Express by Marriott brand to Okinawa while adding another property to its growing portfolio in Japan. The company said the partnership with EastGate Hospitality will further support the brand’s growth in the Japanese market and broaden accommodation options for travelers visiting Japan and the wider Asia Pacific region.
The project also brings together Marriott International, EastGate Hospitality and a fund formed by LaSalle Investment Management under an existing-property conversion model. Rather than developing a new building, City Express by Marriott Okinawa Naha is planned as a renovation and conversion of an existing property in Naha’s city center.
Naha provides the operating location for the new hotel and serves as the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa is situated in southwestern Japan as part of the Ryukyu Islands, between Kyushu and Taiwan in the East China Sea. The destination is characterized by its warm climate, beaches, coral reefs and distinct Ryukyuan culture, while its connections to major cities including Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei support access for both domestic and international travelers.
The hotel’s location provides proximity to key transportation infrastructure and established commercial, cultural and visitor destinations within Naha. Kokusai Street, a major shopping and entertainment area, is approximately one kilometer from the property. The Makishi Public Market is around 1.5 kilometers away, while Asahibashi Station on the city monorail is approximately 300 meters from the hotel, or about a five-minute walk.
Naha Airport is located approximately four kilometers from the property, providing a direct connection to the city for travelers arriving from domestic and international destinations. The combination of these transport links and the hotel’s central location forms a key part of the property’s development positioning.
City Express by Marriott Okinawa Naha is planned with 215 rooms, featuring comfortable interiors, complimentary Wi-Fi and flexible workspaces alongside facilities and services intended to support travelers with mobile lifestyles. The property will also include family-oriented bunk-bed rooms with balconies or patios.
Food and beverage facilities are also planned as part of the hotel operation. Guests will be able to start their day with a hotel breakfast incorporating popular Okinawan dishes, while a lobby lounge will provide an additional shared space within the property.
The development is being led through a partnership involving EastGate Hospitality, the operating company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, and a fund formed by LaSalle Investment Management. EastGate Hospitality was established on December 27, 2019, as an affiliated company of EGW Asset Management. Its business activities include hotel operations and consulting.
EastGate Hospitality currently operates Hotel Springs Makuhari and Best Western Okinna/Koki, while also handling multiple hotel consulting projects. The company has also been operating the Sugata Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi series by Marriott since April 1 of the year specified in its corporate information.
The agreement adds City Express by Marriott to EastGate Hospitality’s operating portfolio and establishes its involvement in the brand’s first Okinawa property. EastGate Hospitality CEO Hiroyuki Oki said the company will operate the hotel through its partnership with Marriott International and with investment from the fund formed by LaSalle Investment Management.
Marriott International Japan and Guam Market Vice President Yuji Tanaka said the agreement with EastGate Hospitality would support the continued growth of City Express by Marriott in Japan. He also identified increasing demand in Okinawa for accommodation combining quality and value as part of the market context for the agreement.
City Express by Marriott is positioned within Marriott International’s midscale portfolio, offering accommodation for both business and leisure travelers. The brand emphasizes convenient locations, functional rooms, consistent quality and essential facilities and services intended to support efficient stays.
The City Express portfolio currently encompasses approximately 150 hotels across six countries. Its brand family includes City Express by Marriott, City Express Plus by Marriott, City Express Suites by Marriott, City Express Junior by Marriott and City Centro by Marriott, serving different traveler segments within the broader portfolio.
The City Express by Marriott brand also participates in Marriott International’s Marriott Bonvoy global travel program. Marriott International operates a broader portfolio spanning luxury, premium, select, midscale, extended-stay and all-inclusive categories.
As of June 11, 2026, Marriott International had approximately 10,000 properties across 146 countries and territories. Its global business includes franchising, management and licensing activities covering hotels, residences, timeshare, yachts and outdoor accommodations.
The planned spring 2027 opening of City Express by Marriott Okinawa Naha therefore adds a 215-room property to Marriott International’s Japanese development pipeline while establishing the City Express brand in Okinawa for the first time. The project combines an existing-property renovation, a new operating partnership and a central Naha location with access to transportation and established commercial destinations.