Hey friends 😊 ,
I just want to take a moment to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this newsletter with me. It’s wild to think that it’s already been a whole year since I started it.
Today, there are over 350 of you here, and every new subscriber feels like a little 'spark' of encouragement. Watching this community grow, little by little, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my year. Knowing that you take the time to read my thoughts and reflections means more to me than I can say.
With the holidays around the corner, I hope you get the chance to slow down, recharge, and be with the people who make your heart feel full.
Thank you for being here, for reading, and for making this space feel alive. I’m so grateful for every single one of you.
Today, I want to introduce you to an interesting concept called the "decentralized hotel." At first glance, you might associate it with Web3, crypto, or even operating a hotel on the blockchain — at least, that’s what I initially thought 😄 . However, the concept is something entirely different.
The idea of decentralized hotels originated in Italy, where the Albergo Diffuso (which translates to "dispersed hotel". This concept was founded in 2006 to promote this unique model of accommodation. Learn more here.
The Concept of a Decentralized Hotel:
Italy, like many other countries, faces the growing issue of vacant houses due to a declining birthrate and aging population. The decentralized hotel model addresses this issue by repurposing vacant houses as lodging facilities. This approach merges "regional revitalization" with "a new style of travel" to create a win-win for both local communities and travelers.
Distributed hotels use historical buildings, such as old homes or merchant houses, scattered across a region as guest rooms. Rather than a single, centralized hotel building, the guest experience is spread throughout the town or village.
This unique format allows guests to explore and move around the entire area, immersing themselves in the local culture and history. Each facility is renovated to create a cohesive accommodation environment, offering a more personal and authentic experience.
Why This Concept Matters in Japan
Japan faces similar societal challenges with a declining birthrate and aging population, leading to many vacant homes in rural areas. The decentralized hotel concept fits perfectly into the broader goal of regional revitalization in Japan. By repurposing empty homes into guest accommodations, small towns can attract more visitors, boost local economies, and preserve cultural heritage.
The legal groundwork for decentralized hotels in Japan was laid with the revision of the Inns and Hotels Act in June 2018. This update allowed for more flexible use of vacant properties as part of lodging facilities. It also facilitated the growth of this model in areas where "day-trip tourism" was previously the norm. By spreading the functions of traditional hotel services (like dining, shopping, and leisure) throughout the town, decentralized hotels encourage longer stays, repeat visits, and even inspire some visitors to settle in the area.
Key Features of Decentralized Hotels
Cultural Connection: Guests stay in renovated historical buildings, such as traditional houses or old merchant buildings, allowing them to experience the local history and architecture.
Immersive Local Experience: Since the guest rooms are scattered throughout a town or village, visitors move around the area, interact with local shops, and engage with the community on a deeper level.
Community and Regional Revitalization: By utilizing vacant homes, these hotels breathe life back into declining communities, supporting local businesses and fostering new economic activity.
Sustainable Tourism: Instead of building new large-scale hotels, this model focuses on using and preserving existing infrastructure.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The biggest advantage of decentralized hotels is that scattered vacant houses can be transformed into a cohesive hotel experience. For example, while a single vacant house operating as a private lodging might not stand out, linking several vacant houses into one networked "hotel" significantly increases visibility and marketing impact. With more people involved, word-of-mouth promotion becomes much easier, further driving demand.
Disadvantages
Concept Clarity: Some guests may not immediately understand the decentralized hotel concept and fail to see its unique value.
Scattered Facilities: Having the front desk, dining areas, and rooms in different locations may feel inconvenient for some guests.
Building Accessibility: Renovated old buildings may lack modern conveniences, which could pose challenges for families with small children or elderly guests.
Although there are some disadvantages, the benefits outweigh them for areas dealing with vacant houses and unused real estate. Unlike a decentralized hotel operated by a single company, the key to its success lies in collaboration with local residents, local governments, and property owners
Initiatives of Decentralized Hotels in Japan
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stay in a castle, now you can find out. NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town is a unique concept that treats the whole town of Ozu as one big hotel. The guest rooms, front desk, and restaurant are spread across the town, letting you explore its history and culture as you walk through streets filled with Meiji-era mansions and storehouses that once supported Ozu’s industry.
The Ozu Castle shown in a photo below and train passing by Hijikawa River.
Front Desk as you can see from photo below, doesn't belong to any of the hotels or facilities.
For instance, this private accommodation, originally constructed in the mid-Meiji period, has been thoughtfully renovated from a former tea shop that once played a pivotal role in supporting Ozu's tea ceremony culture.
Nestled along "Ohanahan Street," a charming road that exudes the atmosphere of the Edo period, it offers guests a chance to relax in a nostalgic setting. The small attached storehouse has been transformed into a cozy study, and the historic box staircase has been skillfully preserved and renovated to remain functional, adding a touch of timeless elegance to the space. If you would like to book here, check this link.
Another such initiative is Japan Machiyado (Visit Japan Machiyado), which treats entire towns as single, interconnected inns. By linking accommodation facilities with the daily life of local communities, the project enhances the town's overall value and offers guests an experience rooted in local hospitality.
On the Osumi Peninsula in Kagoshima, at the tip of a cape extending into Kinko Bay, an elementary school with 120 years of history, Kanoya City Sugawara Elementary School, has closed its doors. With the help of the local community, the school has been transformed into "Yukusa Osumi Seaside School," a unique accommodation facility offering visitors a chance to explore the Osumi Peninsula.
It's a place for both children and the adults who once were children—a space filled with the nostalgic sea, mountains, sky, and people. Here, everyone can feel like a child again.
Another notable initiative is the SEKAI HOTEL in Osaka, which embodies the concept of "diving into the everyday life of your travel destination." This is not exactly a decentralized concept however, the idea of this hotel spans an entire shopping street, allowing guests to experience the unique charm of Osaka's old downtown or shotengai atmosphere and Universal Studio Japan. In the shotengai you can experience okonomiyaki- traditional Osaka food, then sento (old bath type) and more.
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