Our History

Fujita Kanko Story

The origins of Fujita Kanko Inc. were in Denzaburo Fujita Shosha, a company founded in 1869 by Denzaburo Fujita, a benefactor and business tycoon in the Kansai area during the Meiji Era. Denzaburo Fujita Shosha underwent a series of reorganizations, including renaming, merging, and spinning off businesses. In 1955, the tourism sector of Denzaburo Fujita Shosha was renamed Fujita Kogyo Co., Ltd.

In the aftermath of World War II, Eiichi Ogawa, the first president of Fujita Kanko Inc., opened some of the company’s traditional gardens to the public so their scenic beauty and heritage could be widely enjoyed. His spirit of hospitality, which is very much alive in the company today, nurtured new business markets for Fujita Kanko in the hospitality industry, including hot-spring resorts, banquets and weddings, as well as budget hotels.

Our company aims to be both traditional and innovative at the same time. To suit the varied tastes of our guests and the market, our portfolio of properties includes a range of innovative hotels, restaurants, wedding and banquet facilities as well as leisure facilities. However, in searching for innovation, we rediscover over and over again the timeless value of our traditional heritage, which includes Taiko-en, Hakone Hotel Kowakien and the Garden of Chinzanso, a symbol of our prestige.

The competitive advantage offered by Fujita Kanko Inc. is based on the philosophy of offering the best of “traditional and innovative” hospitality, and on the company’s long history of distinguished service. That service is intended to meet the diversified needs of our guests and offer them a wonderful experience at a level no other property in the country can reach.

History

1869

Denzaburo Fujita (Founder of Fujita Group) established a trading company.

1881

He reorganized the trading company and created Fujita Gumi (now DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.).

1945

Fujita Mining Co., Ltd. (renamed Fujita Kogyo Co., Ltd. in 1948) was founded.

1948

Hakone Kowakien (Japanese-Style Inns) was opened.

1949

The company’s first hot spring was developed in Hakone Kowakien.

1952

Chinzanso was opened as a restaurant (bridal and banquet facilities opened in the following year).

1955

Fujita Kogyo Co., Ltd. spun off its tourism business to establish Fujita Kanko Inc.

1959

Taikoen (Osaka) was opened.

1961

Kyoto Kokusai Hotel was opened.

1964

Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (changed to the First Section in the following year)

1965

Japan's first hotel membership FGM (Fujita Green Members) was born.

1967

Shimoda Aquarium was opened.

1973

Fujita Kanko's first directly managed Washington Hotel was opened as Sapporo Dai-ichi Washington Hotel.

1983

Shinjuku Washington Hotel was opened.

1990

Camellia Hills Country Club was opened.

1992

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzanso was opened.

2001

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun was opened.

2008

Hotel Gracery brand was launched.

2013

Rebranded Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo was opened.

2014

Yufuin Ryokuyu was opened.

2015

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku was opened.

2016

Kinsui Taipei by Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo was opened.
Hotel Gracery Naha was opened.
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjyo North was opened.
Kourin restaurant was opened in Taipei.

2017

Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu was opened.
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjyo South was opened.

2018

Hotel Gracery Asakusa was opened.
Glamping Fuji no Kirameki was opened.
Hotel Gracery Seoul was opened.
Nordisk Village Goto Islands was opened.

2019

Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba was opened.
Eiheiji Hakujukan was opened.
HOTEL TAVINOS Hamamatsucho was opened.
Isoras Cikarang was opened.

2020

HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa was opened.
Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan was opened.

2021

HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto was opened.
Hotel Gracery Taipei was opened.

2023

Hakone Kowakien Hotel was opened.