Plight of the Japanese Inns

Above, Shibuya, Tokyo's Hotel Fukudaya, the first ryokan I stayed at.

The U.K.'s Daily Telegraph posted an article on "Japan's Battle To Rebuild."

In it, it tells of the plight of Japanese inns (ryokans) since the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and radiation problems.

The article stated:

Sliding screens, paper lanterns, tatami mat floors, kimono-clad staff and exquisite cuisine: a stay in a traditional ryokan is often an atmospheric highlight of any visit to Japan.

Now, however, the nation’s precious ryokan industry has hit hard times: 68 inns were forced to close down across Japan during the first five months of the year alone, according to new research.

The global economic crisis is seen as the main driving force behind the demise of many of the inns, though this has been compounded by the triple disaster earlier this year of an earthquake, a tsunami and a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

I've stayed in three ryokans over the past ten years and they are much more enjoyable than in business hotels.

To view the full article, go here.