Exploring Kiwi Excellence in Business: Behind the Scenes at Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya with Rebecca Thorn

Episode 63 • 17th March 2025 • Jandals in Japan • Jayne Nakata & Catherine O'Connell

Rebecca Thorn is the Kiwi General Manager of the hugely popular Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya. Rebecca shares insights into the hotel's unique blend of neighborhood culture, innovative team dynamics, and creative initiatives, showing that innovation is alive and well in Japan’s hospitality industry. The episode is a deep dive into the vision and strategies that have led to the hotel's success, capped off with exciting upcoming collaborations and events. If you are considering a career in the hospitality industry in Japan, this is an episode not to be missed.

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In this episode you’ll hear:

How Rebecca inspires her team to try new ideas, including finding a way to make waffles shaped like “Hachiko” the famous dog who waited for its master at Shibuya station
The design, fashion, music and art themes that run through all aspects of the hotel
How Rebecca is building a diverse and inclusive team in Japan
The Kilimanjaro Strategy that her team is talking about

About Rebecca

Rebecca, a proud Kiwi, is the General Manager of Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, which opened in August 2023. She has been loving living and working in Tokyo now for over 5 years. This year marks 19 years with IHG, the company which she has had the opportunity to work in 7 different hotels across 4 different countries with.

Connect with Rebecca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-thorn-65b49940/

Links:

Rebecca’s First Episode #33: https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/thirthy-three/

Personal/work Instagram - @rebecca_thorn_

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-thorn-65b49940/

Hotel Instagram - @hotelindigotokyoshibuya

Hotel LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotelindigotokyoshibuya/posts/?feedView=al l

Hotel Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HotelIndigoTokyoShibuya/

Hotel website - https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/shibuyaku/hndsh/hoteldetail

Gallery 11 Restaurant: https://gallery11.jp/

Vinyl market in Tokyo: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/03/08/lifestyle/vinyl-records-japan-overseas-buyers/