Heritage-listed ryokan in Chiba to close and be demolished
The latest coronavirus-related closure in Japan’s hotel industry is the heritage-listed Kappo Ryokan Tamagawa in Funabashi, Chiba. On May 19, the operator announced that the ryokan had closed permanently at the end of April. No time will be wasted, with demolition of the 92-year old ryokan to start as early as June.
Japan hotel bankruptcies top 25 in April
According to Tokyo Shoko Research, there were 25 bankruptcies in the hotel industry in the month of April. 60% of those were said to be directly related to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a steep increase from the 2 bankruptcies reported in April 2019, and not far from the record high of 29 seen in May 2011 (following the Tohoku disaster).
Japan’s largest hotel to house coronavirus patients
On April 10, hotelier APA Hotels & Resorts announced that the APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower will be leased out to Kanagawa Prefecture provide beds for coronavirus patients with light or no symptoms. The 37-story hotel is located on the Yokohama waterfront. With 2,311 rooms, it is the largest hotel in Japan based on room count.
Ueno hotel closes in order to preserve historic home
At the end of May, a historic ryokan founded around the former home of novelist Ogai Mori will shut its doors after 80 years of operations. The hotel has suffered from a spate of cancellations for both its rooms and restaurant as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak and is unable to continue to remain open.
Research firm releases early Corona-Shock report on Japan’s hotel industry
Tokyo Shoko Research released a report on March 18 on the current impacts the coronavirus is having on Japan’s hotel industry. We are only two months into the crisis and listed companies are one-by-one lowering their earnings estimates for the year.
Shizuoka hotels hit with almost 500,000 cancellations due to tourist drop
The impacts of the coronavirus are being painfully felt by hotel and ryokan operators in Shizuoka’s popular hot spring locations. Hotels and onsens that have relied heavily on tour groups from China are now facing either temporary or permanent closure.
Hilton to bring LXR brand to Kyoto
On February 4, Hilton announced plans to open an LXR-branded luxury hotel in Kyoto. The resort will be located within the 28-acre Shozan Resort Kyoto on the site of a former bowling alley.