Japanese ryokans throw open their doors to the world
The company marketing a new reservations website specialising in ryokan – traditional Japanese inns – says the latest booking technology will provide greater access to the inns, initially in Kyoto and then in other cities in Japan.
The site – ‘Ryokan Experience Kyoto’ www.ryokan-experience.com – brings together 25 ryokans in the city with real time availability and bookings for both individual travellers and travel agents around the world, "providing the first such service for ryokan in their 1300-year history".
There are plans to add a further 100 select ryokans into the ‘Kyoto Experience’ on line booking system.
Other Japanese destinations will follow including the Tohoku region, with the goal of creating a portfolio of 1000 member ryokans by 2016.
Ryokan are small, family-run or privately owned establishments providing the country’s most authentic accommodation.
Ryokan have a range of price points from budget conscious establishments starting at 8,000 yen (US$78) per night per person (breakfast included) to luxury properties at over 50,000 yen (US$490) per night per person.
"Until now there has been limited opportunity to introduce ryokans to the global market because the information and booking systems are far behind the global standard," said Hiroki Fukunaga, president of EXA-R Co. Ltd, which has established the website.
Ian Jarrett
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