Shokichi Shunpūtei Introduces the Charms of His Hometown, Okayama; CM for APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit> to Air from July 7

APA Hotel Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 3-2-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumiko Motoya), which operates one of Japan's largest hotel chains, will begin airing new commercials "Local Charm Edition" and "APA Charm Edition" on July 7, 2026, featuring Shokichi Shunpūtei, a rakugoka from Okayama Prefecture, in anticipation of the opening of APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit> on August 6, 2026 (Thu).

APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit> Official HP: https://www.apahotel.com/hotel/chushikoku/okayama/okayamaeki-shinkansenguchi/

In these commercials, Shokichi Shunpūtei, who hails from Okayama Prefecture, introduces the charms of his hometown, Okayama, and the comfortable services unique to APA Hotel. While delivering a witty narrative on a stage-like set, he will convey the features and attractions of APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit>, which will newly open on August 6, 2026 (Thu).

The "APA Charm" edition comically presents a variety of facilities and services that enrich a stay, such as a pool, open-air bath, and unlimited movie viewing, through the skillful storytelling of a rakugoka.

The "Local Charm" edition introduces Okayama's highlights in a friendly and warm narrative, featuring representative tourist attractions like Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden, as well as gourmet delights such as Kibidango, peaches, and mamakari sushi.

Both commercials are packed with the unique character of Okayama city and the enjoyment of staying at APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit>.

New Commercial Broadcast Information

To coincide with the release of the commercials, making-of footage and an interview with Shokichi Shunpūtei will also be released. Please see below for details.

Title 1: "APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit> OPEN Local Charm" Edition (15 seconds)

Title 2: "APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit> OPEN APA Charm" Edition (15 seconds)

Broadcast Period: July 7, 2026 – October 6, 2026

Broadcast Area: TV commercials (program sponsorships) are scheduled to be broadcast nationwide, centered around the Okayama station. They will also be distributed on the official website, YouTube, OTT, etc.

CM Footage:

Making-of Footage:

[Comment from Shokichi Shunpūtei]

I was born and raised in Okayama and lived there until I was about 20 years old. After that, I apprenticed under Master Shota Shunpūtei in Tokyo and became the first rakugoka to achieve the rank of Shinuchi from Okayama Prefecture. In recent years, I feel that Okayama as a whole is becoming more vibrant, with people from Okayama achieving success in various fields such as music, comedy, and sports. I am deeply honored to have this opportunity.

In the commercials, I appeared as a representative of Okayama, aiming for content that would make visitors on business trips or vacations to Okayama feel "safe to stay" and "want to stay."

I myself have many opportunities to use APA Hotels, and it's become my routine to relax in my room after a performance. I enjoy my time unwinding with a drink from the convenience store and watching movies on the large TV. Also, since I often visit different regions with my troupe, the ability to relax my tired body in a large public bath is one of the appealing aspects.

I am always grateful for the services at APA Hotels, so I am eager to stay at the newly opening APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit>.

[Shokichi Shunpūtei Profile]

A rakugoka born on October 29, 1979 (age 46) in Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture. After rigorous training under Shota Shunpūtei, he was promoted to Shinuchi in 2021. Leveraging his background as a graduate of the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Economics and recipient of the first Chancellor's Award, his lectures, which fuse intellect and humor, are highly acclaimed. He also works as an MC for local television, a weather forecaster, and a disaster prevention specialist, giving over 300 lectures annually at companies, municipalities, and schools nationwide.

[APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit>]

Scheduled to open on August 6, 2026 (Thu). This will be the first APA Hotel & Resort brand in Okayama Prefecture, a large resort hotel with a total of 600 rooms (all non-smoking), making it one of the largest in the prefecture. It boasts a convenient location for both tourism and business, with easy access to famous sites such as Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle. The 14-story building will have a total of 600 rooms, including 72 connecting room sets (144 rooms) that can be accessed via an internal door without going into the hallway, 24 "Cozy Rooms" with sofas, 2 "Deluxe Twin Rooms," and 2 "Suite Rooms," catering to diverse accommodation needs.

Inside the hotel, there will be a large public bath and open-air bath, a pool, and a fitness center. All rooms will be equipped with large flat-screen TVs (50-inch or larger, 60-inch in Deluxe Twin Rooms), and the "VOD APA Room Theater" offering over 200 titles of movies and anime for free. Additionally, facilities to support a comfortable stay include "Cloud fit Grand" with storage space under the bed, and two types of original pillows, "PRIDE FIT" and "ADJUST FIT." Access is approximately a 7-minute walk from the Korakuen Exit (East Exit) of Okayama Station (Sanyo Shinkansen and JR lines). It is about a 30-minute limousine bus ride from Okayama Momotaro Airport and about a 15-minute drive from Okayama IC.

https://www.apahotel.com/hotel/chushikoku/okayama/okayamaeki-shinkansenguchi/

[APA Group]

APA Group operates 363 hotels with 85,909 rooms under its own brands in Japan and 55 hotels with 5,614 rooms overseas. Having achieved its 5-year plan "AIM5 ~ APA Innovative Movement," launched in April 2022, ahead of schedule, the group will launch a new mid-term 5-year plan, "AIM5-II," in April 2026. The goal is to reach 100,000 rooms under its own brands in Japan by the end of March 2031, while also promoting platform business and multi-branding in the hotel sector, and strengthening its North American business and exploring new strategic areas for overseas expansion.

APA Group Release Materials

d18265-867-9e8f11d101fa88ee56bd00bfd0762180.pdf

APA Hotel & Resort <Okayama Station Shinkansen Exit>

https://www.apahotel.com/hotel/chushikoku/okayama/okayamaeki-shinkansenguchi/

Tel. 0570-056-011

With "APA Direct," the lowest price without comparison.

https://www.apahotel.com/

APA Hotel Official App "APA App"

https://apahotel.com/qr_app/