Japan's 110-year-old resort brand to open first onsen ryokan in the US


By AGENCY

The Sharon Springs site in New York where the hotel operator plans to build a luxury resort. — Hoshino Resorts

Hoshino Resorts, a 110-year-old company famed for its luxury hot springs hotels in Japan, will open its first resort location in the United States, in a small New York town.

The hotel operator plans to build a luxury resort with up to 40 rooms in Sharon Springs – a 3.5-hour drive from New York City – that will open by 2028, according to a statement on the company’s website. The announcement was accompanied by a photo of the brand’s CEO, Yoshiharu Hoshino, next to a town sign.

Hoshino, the fourth generation in his family to run the company, had made it his personal goal to bring Japanese hot spring resorts, also known as onsen ryokans, to North America, provided there was a natural hot spring source.

Onsen ryokans are typically small Japanese inns in remote and scenic locations, where guests relax by bathing naked in natural hot springs water and enjoy locally sourced and seasonal cuisine. Such lodgings are common across Japan, but Hoshino Resorts became the standard bearer for the luxury onsen ryokan experiences through its flagship Hoshinoya brand.

The announcement of Hoshino’s location in New York comes amid a tourism boom in Japan driven by a weak currency, and may also help familiarise potential US customers with the onsen ryokan concept.

There’s also been increased business interest in capitalising on the growing popularity around Japan’s cultural experiences. Earlier this year, Hyatt Hotels said it would be developing an onsen ryokan brand in Japan with a local partner.

Hoshino Resorts operates several hotel brands for a range of budgets, but is best-known for its high-end Hoshinoya resorts. It has a boutique hotel in Hawaii, but the newly announced resort will be the first location in the US. — Bloomberg

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Travel

Why foodies love Melbourne: Try these eateries on your next visit
Paris retains title of world's most attractive city destination, Singapore is 9th
Oil wrestling, tomato brawls and Vikings: Here are some of the world's most interesting festivals
Gorgeous trails and vistas to explore in cities around Asia, including one in KL
Take these destinations off your travel list for now
Where to go white water rafting in Malaysia, from beginner to expert level
Beyond sun and sea: Puerto Rico set to have a very good tourism season
Ukraine’s war-torn areas attracting dark tourism enthusiasts
From snow to surf: Occitanie in southern France has a variety of landscapes
Seven villages in China get the spotlight on UN Tourism list

Others Also Read