TOKYO, OCT 18 – One of Japan’s leading luxury hotel companies will open an onsen hot spring resort in upstate New York that is said to be the first Japanese venture of its kind in the United States (US).
Japanese onsen, bathhouses where visitors relax together in mineral-rich water of various temperatures are a major domestic industry enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Hoshino Resorts said it will open its new inn in the small town of Sharon Springs in 2028, marking its second foray into the world’s largest economy after failing to win over North Americans during Japan’s boom years of the 1980s.
“The biggest lesson we learned in the 80s is that if a Japanese hotelier wants to enter the US market, it must meet strong expectations for its concept to reflect Japanese culture,” the company said yesterday in a statement.
“The move will mark the first opening of an onsen inn in the US by a Japanese hotel company,” he said.
Sharon Springs was once a lively hot springs and tourist hub, but it is in need of revitalization after losing its glory over the past 100 years making it the perfect location for a new hotel, Hoshino Resorts said.
The ‘ryokan’ inn will have up to 70 guest rooms, according to Japanese media. – AFP
