In Tokyo's Otemachi business district, home to a legion of foreign-owned upscale hotels, a Japanese-style inn will open as early as summer 2016 even as such traditional facilities struggle in the face of globalization, Hoshino Resorts President Yoshiharu Hoshino said Tuesday.
Based in Nagano Prefecture, Hoshino Resorts currently runs 30 facilities across the nation, trying to embody what it calls "unparalleled Japanese beauty."
Its foray into Otemachi will mainly target high-end businessmen from overseas, but regular families and couples will also be in sight, Hoshino said.
The facility, to be named Hoshinoya Tokyo, is expected to have 18 stories above ground and three basement floors.
All rooms will have tatami mats. Hot-spring bathing will also be available.
The company released a statement saying Japanese inns are fully capable of maintaining parity with high-end hotels worldwide in terms of quality, and that their spirit of hospitality gives them great global competitiveness.
Hoshino likened the new inn to "something of a theme park" that will allow visitors to experience authentic Japanese culture, adding that customers are likely to be asked to take their shoes off when they step inside. Employees will include native speakers of English, Chinese and Korean, he said.
Nightly stays will average about ¥55,000 per guest.