Takumi Ito Eiō, Ōza Signs Advertising Contract; "Hotel for the Next Move" and "Resort for the Next Move" Versions to be Released from April 3rd
Apa Hotel has signed an advertising contract with Shogi player Takumi Ito, releasing new commercials titled "Hotel for the Next Move" and "Resort for the Next Move." This collaboration aims to promote Shogi culture, building on the company's existing sponsorship of the Eiōsen tournament and its Shogi-themed hot spring ryokan. The company is also expanding its hotel network, aiming for 150,000 rooms by March 2027.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 21:27 (367h 25m after Collected)
Apa Hotel Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 3-2-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumiko Motoya), which operates the largest hotel network in Japan with 1,071 hotels and 143,915 rooms (including those under construction/design, overseas, FC, and Apa Direct participating hotels), has signed a contract with Takumi Ito Eiō/Ōza. New commercials featuring professional Shogi player Takumi Ito, titled "Hotel for the Next Move" and "Resort for the Next Move," will be released starting April 3rd (Friday). Moving forward, through their appearance in TV commercials, various advertisements, and campaigns, they will actively promote Shogi culture while supporting professional Shogi player Takumi Ito.
https://www.apahotel.com/resort/
Apa Hotel's involvement with Shogi aims to support Shogi culture. In December 2023, they began sponsoring the "Eiōsen" (Eiō Tournament), a title match hosted by Fujiya Co., Ltd. and the Japan Shogi Association, starting from the 9th edition. Furthermore, Apa Resort Kasuikyo has been selected as the venue for the second game of the Eiōsen for three consecutive terms, starting from the 9th edition. By renovating Apa Resort Kasuikyo into a hot spring ryokan with a Shogi concept, Apa Hotel is actively promoting Shogi culture and striving to preserve both Shogi and hot spring culture.
The CM starring Takumi Ito is the "Hotel for the Next Move" episode, filmed at Apa Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari. In a room at Apa Hotel, Takumi Ito, a Shogi player, prepares mentally before a match. Drawing from an anecdote that describes his composure, evident in his expressions that seem to enjoy the game even during matches, this CM depicts Ito Takumi Nikan (two-time champion) calmly contemplating his next move in a hotel room, mirroring Apa Hotel's "The Next Challenge" to become the undisputed No. 1 hotel chain in Japan.
The "Resort for the Next Move" episode, set at Apa Resort Kasuikyo, features Takumi Ito, a Shogi player, enhancing his mental state before a match in a room at Apa Resort Kasuikyo during an away game. It portrays Ito Takumi Nikan sharpening his focus, with even relaxation time at the resort serving as preparation for the match, and showcases the various facilities of Apa Resort, which offer a natural sense of tranquility.
■New CM Broadcast Information
Title: Hotel for the Next Move
Broadcast Date: Scheduled to begin broadcasting sequentially from Friday, April 3, 2026.
Broadcast Region: TV commercials (program sponsorships) are planned for nationwide broadcast. Additionally, web commercials and broadcasts in all Apa Hotel rooms nationwide are scheduled.
New CMs can be viewed here.
<30-second CM> https://youtu.be/rWC_kMUi9Jc
<15-second CM> https://youtu.be/dDfDcnLLjY8
Title: Resort for the Next Move
Broadcast Date: Scheduled to begin broadcasting sequentially from Friday, April 3, 2026.
Broadcast Region: TV commercials (program sponsorships) are planned for nationwide broadcast. Additionally, web commercials and broadcasts in all Apa Hotel rooms nationwide are scheduled.
New CMs can be viewed here.
<30-second CM> https://youtu.be/X-sWB9u-79w
<15-second CM> https://youtu.be/3XNWkcuZRvg
【Professional Shogi Player Takumi Ito】
Born in 2002. From Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. A disciple of Toshio Miyata 8-dan, he achieved 4-dan in 2020. In 2023, he became a 7-dan and challenged for a title for the first time in the 36th Ryūō-sen. In 2024, he defeated Sota Fujii Eiō (then) 3-2 in the 9th Eiōsen, winning his first title. In 2025, he defeated Shintaro Saito 8-dan 3-2 in the 10th Eiōsen, defending his title for the first time. In the 73rd Ōza-sen, he defeated Sota Fujii Ōza (then) 3-2, winning his first Ōza title, becoming a two-crown holder for the first time, accumulating a total of 3 titles, and was promoted to the highest rank of 9-dan. His preferred opening strategy is Aikakari.
【Apa Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari】
This hotel boasts a total of 2,007 rooms across three buildings: the "Central Tower (1,001 rooms)" with all rooms offering ocean views and being the tallest hotel building in Japan, the "East Wing (506 rooms)" expanded in December 2016, and the "West Wing (500 rooms)" expanded in April 2014. The hotel building features amenities such as a convenience store, shops, restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool called "Pocari Sweat Pool," and a large public bath/open-air bath with 48 tubs of 40 types and 3 types of 6 saunas, all available for free use by guests. The banquet hall, with a maximum capacity of 3,000 people, is equipped with facilities including a flat parking lot that can accommodate 600 cars. Access is approximately a 7-minute walk from Kaihin-Makuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line, about 35 minutes direct to Tokyo Station, about 16 minutes to Maihama Station (home of Tokyo Disney Resort), and about 50 minutes by direct limousine bus to Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. On December 19th of last year, the Teppanyaki restaurant "THE Nanami," operated directly by Apa Hotel, relocated and reopened from the basement to the 49th floor, with the addition of a new luxurious lounge area offering panoramic views of the sparkling night scenery over Tokyo Bay. The restaurant has been reborn with the concept of "A restaurant surrounded by sky and sea." Apa Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari Official HP: https://www.apahotel.com/resort/makuhari/
【Apa Resort Kasuikyo】
Apa Resort Kasuikyo (72-1 Shiozu-cho, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture) opened on August 31, 2006, and is located on the shores of Lake Shibayama, in the heart of Kaga Katayamazu Onsen. All guest rooms are in a hot spring inn with lake views, and from the large public bath and open-air baths, guests can enjoy views of the renowned Lake Shibayama and the Hakusan mountain range. In April 2024, to commemorate the second game of the 5-game match for the 9th Eiōsen, a "Shogi Monument" was installed at the entrance, and the Shogi corner and rooms "Ōshō no Ma" and "Gyokushō no Ma" were renovated. In 2025, it was reborn as a hot spring ryokan with a Shogi concept, featuring stone Shogi pieces arranged in a dry landscape garden and an indoor garden, along with Japanese-Western style connecting rooms named after Shogi pieces/promoted pieces such as "Hisha/Ryūō no Ma," "Kakugyō/Ryūma no Ma," and "Ginshō/Narigin no Ma." On March 13, 2026, it was decided to host the second game of the 11th Eiōsen for the third consecutive year. Access is approximately a 10-minute drive from Kagaonsen Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line/Hokuriku Shinkansen (shuttle bus available, reservation required), about 20 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport, and about 5 minutes by car from the Katayamazu I.C. on the Hokuriku Expressway. Apa Resort Kasuikyo Official HP: https://www.apahotel.com/resort/kasuikyo/
【Apa Group】
As the Apa Hotel Network, it operates the largest number of hotels in Japan, with 1,071 hotels and 143,915 rooms (including those under construction/design, overseas, and Apa Direct participating hotels). Inheriting the "SUMMIT 5 (Peak Strategy)" launched in April 2010, they initiated a new five-year plan, "AIM5 ~ APA Innovative Movement," in April 2022. While adapting to changing needs in the post-corona era and the wave of DX (Digital Transformation), they aim to become the undisputed No. 1 hotel chain in Japan, targeting the expansion to 150,000 rooms within the Apa Hotel Network by the end of March 2027.
■Apa Group Release Documents
d18265-832-e3d7825e07a66bb269ef0cd92c98e65c.pdf
From "Apa Direct," the lowest price without comparison. https://www.apahotel.com/
Apa Hotel Official App "Apa App" https://apahotel.com/qr_app/
https://www.apahotel.com/resort/
Apa Hotel's involvement with Shogi aims to support Shogi culture. In December 2023, they began sponsoring the "Eiōsen" (Eiō Tournament), a title match hosted by Fujiya Co., Ltd. and the Japan Shogi Association, starting from the 9th edition. Furthermore, Apa Resort Kasuikyo has been selected as the venue for the second game of the Eiōsen for three consecutive terms, starting from the 9th edition. By renovating Apa Resort Kasuikyo into a hot spring ryokan with a Shogi concept, Apa Hotel is actively promoting Shogi culture and striving to preserve both Shogi and hot spring culture.
The CM starring Takumi Ito is the "Hotel for the Next Move" episode, filmed at Apa Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari. In a room at Apa Hotel, Takumi Ito, a Shogi player, prepares mentally before a match. Drawing from an anecdote that describes his composure, evident in his expressions that seem to enjoy the game even during matches, this CM depicts Ito Takumi Nikan (two-time champion) calmly contemplating his next move in a hotel room, mirroring Apa Hotel's "The Next Challenge" to become the undisputed No. 1 hotel chain in Japan.
The "Resort for the Next Move" episode, set at Apa Resort Kasuikyo, features Takumi Ito, a Shogi player, enhancing his mental state before a match in a room at Apa Resort Kasuikyo during an away game. It portrays Ito Takumi Nikan sharpening his focus, with even relaxation time at the resort serving as preparation for the match, and showcases the various facilities of Apa Resort, which offer a natural sense of tranquility.
■New CM Broadcast Information
Title: Hotel for the Next Move
Broadcast Date: Scheduled to begin broadcasting sequentially from Friday, April 3, 2026.
Broadcast Region: TV commercials (program sponsorships) are planned for nationwide broadcast. Additionally, web commercials and broadcasts in all Apa Hotel rooms nationwide are scheduled.
New CMs can be viewed here.
<30-second CM> https://youtu.be/rWC_kMUi9Jc
<15-second CM> https://youtu.be/dDfDcnLLjY8
Title: Resort for the Next Move
Broadcast Date: Scheduled to begin broadcasting sequentially from Friday, April 3, 2026.
Broadcast Region: TV commercials (program sponsorships) are planned for nationwide broadcast. Additionally, web commercials and broadcasts in all Apa Hotel rooms nationwide are scheduled.
New CMs can be viewed here.
<30-second CM> https://youtu.be/X-sWB9u-79w
<15-second CM> https://youtu.be/3XNWkcuZRvg
【Professional Shogi Player Takumi Ito】
Born in 2002. From Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. A disciple of Toshio Miyata 8-dan, he achieved 4-dan in 2020. In 2023, he became a 7-dan and challenged for a title for the first time in the 36th Ryūō-sen. In 2024, he defeated Sota Fujii Eiō (then) 3-2 in the 9th Eiōsen, winning his first title. In 2025, he defeated Shintaro Saito 8-dan 3-2 in the 10th Eiōsen, defending his title for the first time. In the 73rd Ōza-sen, he defeated Sota Fujii Ōza (then) 3-2, winning his first Ōza title, becoming a two-crown holder for the first time, accumulating a total of 3 titles, and was promoted to the highest rank of 9-dan. His preferred opening strategy is Aikakari.
【Apa Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari】
This hotel boasts a total of 2,007 rooms across three buildings: the "Central Tower (1,001 rooms)" with all rooms offering ocean views and being the tallest hotel building in Japan, the "East Wing (506 rooms)" expanded in December 2016, and the "West Wing (500 rooms)" expanded in April 2014. The hotel building features amenities such as a convenience store, shops, restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool called "Pocari Sweat Pool," and a large public bath/open-air bath with 48 tubs of 40 types and 3 types of 6 saunas, all available for free use by guests. The banquet hall, with a maximum capacity of 3,000 people, is equipped with facilities including a flat parking lot that can accommodate 600 cars. Access is approximately a 7-minute walk from Kaihin-Makuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line, about 35 minutes direct to Tokyo Station, about 16 minutes to Maihama Station (home of Tokyo Disney Resort), and about 50 minutes by direct limousine bus to Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. On December 19th of last year, the Teppanyaki restaurant "THE Nanami," operated directly by Apa Hotel, relocated and reopened from the basement to the 49th floor, with the addition of a new luxurious lounge area offering panoramic views of the sparkling night scenery over Tokyo Bay. The restaurant has been reborn with the concept of "A restaurant surrounded by sky and sea." Apa Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari Official HP: https://www.apahotel.com/resort/makuhari/
【Apa Resort Kasuikyo】
Apa Resort Kasuikyo (72-1 Shiozu-cho, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture) opened on August 31, 2006, and is located on the shores of Lake Shibayama, in the heart of Kaga Katayamazu Onsen. All guest rooms are in a hot spring inn with lake views, and from the large public bath and open-air baths, guests can enjoy views of the renowned Lake Shibayama and the Hakusan mountain range. In April 2024, to commemorate the second game of the 5-game match for the 9th Eiōsen, a "Shogi Monument" was installed at the entrance, and the Shogi corner and rooms "Ōshō no Ma" and "Gyokushō no Ma" were renovated. In 2025, it was reborn as a hot spring ryokan with a Shogi concept, featuring stone Shogi pieces arranged in a dry landscape garden and an indoor garden, along with Japanese-Western style connecting rooms named after Shogi pieces/promoted pieces such as "Hisha/Ryūō no Ma," "Kakugyō/Ryūma no Ma," and "Ginshō/Narigin no Ma." On March 13, 2026, it was decided to host the second game of the 11th Eiōsen for the third consecutive year. Access is approximately a 10-minute drive from Kagaonsen Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line/Hokuriku Shinkansen (shuttle bus available, reservation required), about 20 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport, and about 5 minutes by car from the Katayamazu I.C. on the Hokuriku Expressway. Apa Resort Kasuikyo Official HP: https://www.apahotel.com/resort/kasuikyo/
【Apa Group】
As the Apa Hotel Network, it operates the largest number of hotels in Japan, with 1,071 hotels and 143,915 rooms (including those under construction/design, overseas, and Apa Direct participating hotels). Inheriting the "SUMMIT 5 (Peak Strategy)" launched in April 2010, they initiated a new five-year plan, "AIM5 ~ APA Innovative Movement," in April 2022. While adapting to changing needs in the post-corona era and the wave of DX (Digital Transformation), they aim to become the undisputed No. 1 hotel chain in Japan, targeting the expansion to 150,000 rooms within the Apa Hotel Network by the end of March 2027.
■Apa Group Release Documents
d18265-832-e3d7825e07a66bb269ef0cd92c98e65c.pdf
From "Apa Direct," the lowest price without comparison. https://www.apahotel.com/
Apa Hotel Official App "Apa App" https://apahotel.com/qr_app/