Japan's ryokan inns get a makeover by younger owners

Focus on family and added value helps keep traditional accommodations alive

This suite at Senpokaku was formed after connecting and refurbishing three separate guest rooms. This change turned the least profitable section of the inn into a moneymaker. (ToLoLo Studio)

SAWAKO OIWA, Nikkei senior staff writer

February 18, 2024 11:11 JST

TOKYO -- A generational shift has begun in Japan's shrinking ryokan inn industry, as younger owners in their 30s breathe new life into properties by catering to foreign tourists and other guests seeking to experience traditional Japanese culture.