Japanese luxury hotel operator Hoshino Resorts Inc. plans to open a hot spring inn in the U.S.
state of New York in 2028 as part of efforts to introduce the popular Japanese-style accommodation experience to the United States. The company will build a facility with up to 40 guestrooms in Sharon Springs, a historic spa village located a three-and-a-half hours' drive away from Manhattan, to offer guests a chance to experience Japanese-style hospitality, it said. Noting that Japanese hotel chains had failed to break into the North American market in the 1980s, the firm said it believes the key to success is offering "a concept that reflects Japanese culture.
" A hot spring inn, or "onsen ryokan" in Japanese, is typically located in a scenic area such as the seaside or in the mountains, allowing guests to bathe in natural hot springs with great views and enjoy traditional cuisine using locally sourced food. Sharon Springs, originally used by Native Americans for therapeutic benefits, was developed as a resort in the mid-1800s before its popularity declined in the age of air travel. The company said it plans to revive the area's legacy through the inn.
Hoshino Resorts, established in 1914 as an inn in the resort town of Karuizawa in the mountainous Nagano Prefecture, grew into a major hotel operator by focusing on high-end inns, adapting Japanese traditional hospitality to modern lifestyles and tastes..