Recognising the high-yield tourism value of travellers from Singapore, as well as the market’s inclination for repeat trips to Japan, the Kyoto Ryokan Hotel Association led a roadshow to the city-state earlier this month to connect with outbound travel agents.

Teruhiko Isohashi, chairperson of the association, noted that travellers from Singapore appreciate cultural experiences that are of high quality – something that a traditional Japanese ryokan can offer.

“However, not many travellers from Singapore would consider staying in a ryokan during their visit to Japan. We understand that some may feel a little apprehensive about staying in a ryokan because of its layout, how the mattress and bedding (known as futon) are laid out on the floor, and how rooms are utilised for various purposes. In a ryokan, the room functions as a dining and living space in the day, and is transformed into a bedroom at night. This can feel unusual to foreigners,” explained Isohashi.

He added that service offered at these traditional accommodation is also very personalised and emphasises frequent and meaningful interaction.

“Ryokan staff would frequently enter the guestroom to present refreshments and to transform the room according to the hour of the day. Foreign guests who are used to privacy at international hotels may find this quite strange,” he said.

Through the Kyoto Ryokan Hotel Association’s visit to Singapore and its interactions with outbound travel agents, Isohashi told TTG Asia that he hopes to introduce the unique way of life a ryokan stay can offer to travellers.

“This is one of the best opportunities to learn about Japanese culture,” he opined.

As more travellers from Singapore open up to the idea of staying in ryokans, which are often located in serene and scenic parts of the prefecture, they will also uncover more gems across Kyoto prefecture, beyond tourism mainstays. This, Isohashi hopes, will spread tourism footfalls beyond the autumn season peak and encourage more travellers to venture deeper into the destination.

“Kyoto is beautiful in every season, and every part of the prefecture presents a different view and experience across the seasons. Amanohashidate in the north of Kyoto, for example, is stunning in winter and that is the best time to savour crabs caught off the coast. Kibune (a small town in the mountains) offers beautiful hikes in summer, when travellers can also enjoy a kawadoko dining experience (dining on platforms laid over the river),” described Isohashi.

Isohashi, who is passionate about sustainable tourism, told TTG Asia that ryokan stays are ideal for travellers who prioritise responsible travel options.

“While modern hotels have started on sustainable tourism practices in recent years, ryokan owners have always been sourcing local and seasonal food for guests, engaging local artisans and materials for construction and items used in hotel operations, and highlighting local arts and culture as guest experiences. They have been doing this since the beginning. The association is now helping our members to put their good work on record and get certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council,” he shared.