Toyoko Inn European Expansion
Starts in Marseille
An Interview with Mami Oohashi
True to its “solidly-built inns close to stations” concept, the
Toyoko Inn *** Marseille, the foundation stone of which was
officially laid on December 8 last, will be located between
St Charles Station and the Porte d'Aix. It is due to open in 2016
within the perimeter of the Euroméditerranée development
program which is changing the face of Marseille…
Mami Oohashi, operations and communication manager for
Toyoko Inn, talks to Provence Promotion on the occasion of
the Shinto ceremony held to mark the foundation stone laying in the presence of
Japanese Consul-General in Marseille Masaaki Sato and the founder of the Toyoko
Inn chain, Norimasa Nishida.
> What does Toyoko Inn represent in Japan… what can we expect from the future
Marseille hotel, built at a cost of 20 million Euro?
Mami Oohashi : In Japan, the concept dates from 1986. Toyoko is a portmanteau of Tokyo
and Yokohama and since the first inn opened in the area, it was decided to use the name for the
chain… Now one of the country’s largest hotel chains with 241 hotels, plus another six in South
Korea, Toyoko Inns provide comfortable accommodation at reasonable prices, but no restaurant. In
Marseille, the 3-star hotel will offer 231 rooms, in addition to the 1000+ presently available within the
Euroméditerranée zone, on the 6500 sq. m site. Located on the Avenue du Général Leclerc,
between the station and La Joliette business district, the hotel will provide a convenient base for
tourists and business persons –our future clients- from which to do their business or sightseeing.
We are aware that setting up in this emblematic location is a challenge, since the hotel will be in full
sight of those arriving in Marseille via the autoroute.
PROVENCE PROMOTION
AGENCE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT ÉCONOMIQUE - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
www.investinprovence.com
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> What was the significance of the traditional Japanese Shinto ceremony? What
do you wish for this new venture?
Mami Oohashi: The ceremony, with its sensitivity and respect, is highly esteemed and is
meant to bring peace and prosperity to a construction project and its surroundings. The laying of the
foundation stone in pure Japanese tradition carries great
meaning. The purpose of the Shinto rite is to seek appeasement from the earth, its blessing and protection to ensure the
building project is successful. I am so pleased the Marseille
residents were able to take part in the ceremony and enjoyed
it. Almost a year after signing the sale agreement, the hotel’s
construction has started. Our aim is to integrate in the local
area and help drive it forward. We hope to create between 40
and 50 jobs locally, mainly women -including in management
posts.
> Why did you choose Marseille and how long have you been working on the
project?
Mami Oohashi: Marseille is a city undergoing huge changes. We are extremely sensitive to
this vitality and particularly appreciated the European Capital of Culture in Marseille in 2013.
Furthermore, Japanese people love Provence, its climate, natural beauty and culture. We have
been working on the project since 2007, when our directors met with representatives from Marseille
City Hall and Euroméditerranée and close, constructive ties began to develop. Our patience was
rewarded after three years of legal procedure to overcome appeals against the construction permit
made to the Supreme Court. Euroméditerranée provided us with staunch support for this.
> For you, what does the hotel’s incorporation into the largest urban regeneration scheme in Europe mean?
Mami Oohashi: We understand Euroméditerranée’s wish to make Marseille one of Europe’s
great cities. It’s a worthy ambition and we are proud to be part of that great adventure. The renovation of the area around St Charles Station and the positioning of Toyoko Inn, with its tradition of
siting its hotels near stations, will contribute to the creation of a multimodal public transport hub.
The strategic location will provide Toyoko Inn with an opportunity to become a beacon, a feature of
the Marseille landscape skyline, extending from the future public park linking the area with the Porte
d'Aix. We are proud and consequently will make sure we integrate into the neighborhood in the best
possible way and respecting Marseillais culture.
PROVENCE PROMOTION
AGENCE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT ÉCONOMIQUE - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
www.investinprovence.com
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Contact publication : Valérie Vernaz
> Is this the reason for having chosen Marseille-based Tangram Architectes to
oversee the project?
Mami Oohashi: That’s exactly right. For this first investment outside of Japan, we needed a
local firm with experience in contemporary art. Working alongside Toyoko Inn Architect Co. Ltd., our
in-house design firm, Tangram Architectes have managed to blend Japanese cultural symbols and
Mediterranean surroundings. The 64 meter-long, 9-storey building integrates certain contemporary
Japanese architectural codes characterized by purity of form, the color white and attention to detail.
Its uncluttered lines and its windows evoke vertical Japanese signs and are aligned in such a way
as to make it difficult to distinguish from the outside where the floors begin and where they end.
> Marseille is set to be the launch pad for the company’s expansion into the
French and European markets. What ambitions does the hotel chain have?
Mami Oohashi: Toyoko Inn aims to build 50 hotels in France, with the head office located in
Marseille’s La Joliette district. We are determined to be present on a long-term basis in this region
full of promise, one with which our respective cities have long enjoyed close and durable ties, in
particular through twinning arrangements. Other hotels are in the pipeline, for example Frankfurt in
2016.
To find out more
 Toyoko Inn website
PROVENCE PROMOTION
AGENCE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT ÉCONOMIQUE - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
www.investinprovence.com
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Contact publication : Valérie Vernaz