Foreign Tourist Boom Triggers Hotel Survival Battle in Kyoto

Sep 04, 2025 | News On Japan

KYOTO - The number of foreign tourists visiting Kyoto reached a record 10.88 million last year, marking an all-time high. As inbound travel continues to grow, so too does demand for accommodations.

Foreign guests are now outnumbering domestic travelers in some cases, prompting a surge in hotel development, including numerous projects by international hotel chains.

What kinds of services are being offered at these foreign-operated hotels targeting overseas visitors? Some offer high-end amenities and multilingual concierge services, while others feature designs that blend Japanese aesthetics with global standards. Among them are long-established inns with over 200 years of history, as well as niche hotels catering to specific traveler needs.

To remain competitive in this increasingly saturated market, each hotel is working to differentiate itself through unique strategies—ranging from heritage hospitality to high-tech convenience. With Kyoto’s tourism boom showing no signs of slowing, the race for survival among hotels has entered a new phase.

Source: YOMIURI

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