Can a traditional ‘ryokan’ inn go global?
One of Japan's most acclaimed inns is embarking on an expansion project that might see it open up properties overseas.
In 1948, the Gora Kadan ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, first opened in a former imperial villa situated within the scenic mountains of Hakone. Just last summer, the establishment followed up its success by opening a second property, nestled conveniently east of Mount Fuji. The Gora Kadan ryokan group, renowned for its exemplary omotenashi (hospitality) style, is now contemplating whether there exists a burgeoning global demand for its luxury lodging experiences.
Ryutaro Hashimoto, the president and CEO of the Gora Kadan ryokan group, acknowledges the challenges faced by many businesses within the ryokan and small luxury Japanese hotel categories over the past three decades. The sector has traditionally relied heavily on domestic tourism, but recent years have witnessed a significant surge in inbound foreign tourists. Decades ago, this figure stood at approximately 8 million, a number that has quadrupled to around 42 million in recent times.
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Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
