Skift Take
One of the oldest forms of Japanese hospitality is getting more attention from global brands, and cross-pollinating across the Pacific.
On Experience
Colin Nagy is a marketing strategist and writes on customer-centric experiences and innovation across the luxury sector, hotels, aviation, and beyond.
You can read all of his writing here.
The traditional Japanese ryokan is a beautifully structured and choreographed experience. Hospitality and ritual are the emphasis. The family-run inns are often set within beautiful nature, ideally with access to restorative hot springs, known as onsens. The emphasis is on relaxation, Kaiseki meals based on local and seasonal ingredients, and hyper-personalized service.
For guests who aren’t Japanese, it is a thoughtful experience with a deeper level of cultural integration. It is akin to putting on a beautifully cut suit that has been made for you. The core service is a decidedly Japanese concept, Omotenashi, which is a very subtle and unflashy anticipation of both stated and unsaid needs.
These ryokans are typically home