Founder CEO

AYA ASO

Started her career in the hospitality industry in Los Angeles and later returned to Japan, she has engaged in marketing at Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel. Left the hotel industry once, joined Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, PricewaterhouseCoopers BPO and Chuo Aoyama Audit Corporation as an accounting auditor and business process consultant.

Established Agora Hospitalities after leaving corporate career in 2007. Founded the company with a vision to establish, under “A Collection of Beautiful Japan”, a portfolio of boutique hotels and traditional ryokans representing the soul of Japan. Under her tenure (2007-2017), the collection comprised 13 properties.

Recently she founded her second hotel management company, SAVVY Collective, Inc. (2017- ), to provide hospitality business solutions with a Luxury & Lifestyle concepts.

Prior to AGORA, she was a Senior Vice President of Business Development for ISHIN Hotels Group (2003-2007) and an Executive Director of Operations at Space Design Inc. developed and operated 14 serviced apartments in Tokyo.

Graduated from the University of Southern California (USA) with a Bachelor of Music from Thornton School of Music, Piano Performance. She also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Wales (UK).

22 years of solid experience in hotel operation and management.  Started career as F&B service and bridal coordinator in hotels in Kansai and moved to management position at Ritz Carlton Osaka and Hilton Nagoya.  In 2008, he moved to Niseko as Director of Housekeeping in Hilton Niseko Village.  In 2014, he joined Agora Hospitalities where he took General Manager position of Nojiriko Hotel El Bosco and traditional Japanese ryokan called Imaiso.  He joined SAVVY in 2019 as VP Operations of all SAVVY hotel projects.  Degree in Communication from Tokushima Bunri University.

Joined Agora Hospitalities in 2010, where he served as Deputy General Manager of Izu Imaihama Onsen Imai-so and General Manager of Lake Nojiriko Hotel El Bosco. While in those positions, he experienced numerous re-branding projects and developing shared services centers within the group. He also led the culture-development program for executive candidates and was in charge of the group-wide marketing planning department and new openings. He has been in his current position since November 2021.

Having majors in Architecture and Interior design, she worked historical restoration projects in New York City. After returning to Japan, she joined project management team for The Peninsula Tokyo and Shangri-la Tokyo, experienced all aspects of international luxury hotel development projects. Contributed to expand one of the largest hotel group, IHG, she worked as a development specialist at their Japan brunch, IHGANA. She provides advice to hotel development related companies as a freelancer since later 2017. She is in current position since 2019. Graduated from New York Schools of Interior Design.

Born in Oguri city, Fukuoka prefecture. After joining the Takeshi Design Office, joined Butterfly Stroke, learned design under Mr. Katsunori Aoki. Founded a creative company GIFT in 2006, later changed its name to GIFT-GIFT. He is involved in various fields of design as an Art Director/Designer. Current position since 2018. Winner in numerous awards including; the Yomiuri Advertising Award Sponsor Award, "Advertising Newspaper Advertisements" Newspaper Advertising Contest Best Award, Tokyo Copywriters Club Review Committee Chairperson Award, Japan B to B Advertising Award Special Award, Internet Creative Award Banner Division Silver and others.

Started career in accounting firm and later joined Space Design, in which she was engaged in the development administration and reporting to investors. Upon development of hotel in Dubai, she has involved in IT integration. After moving her life to Karuizawa, she has engaged in accounting and tax reporting work at the Hoshino Resort Accounting Department. She has also supported the accounting and general administration and improvement of business efficiency of the small enterprises. She is in current position since 2017. Graduated from Ochanomizu University, Bachelor of Arts and Education, and holds Registered Real Estate Brokerage License.