A new apartment-style hotel, ‘unito hotel residence KYOTO STATION North,’ has officially opened its doors, directly responding to a significant shift in the preferences of international travelers. This new establishment is designed for long-term stays, offering guests a chance to immerse themselves in the city and “live like a resident,” a concept rapidly gaining traction in Japan’s post-pandemic tourism landscape.
The Shift in Traveler Demands
Japan’s tourism industry is experiencing a record-breaking recovery. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of international visitors has surpassed 3 million for three consecutive months from March to May 2024. Crucially, a large portion of these visitors are not first-timers. Data from 2023 shows that repeat visitors accounted for over 60% of all international tourists.
This growing demographic of experienced travelers is seeking more than just a whirlwind tour of famous landmarks. Their focus has shifted from simple sightseeing to authentic, immersive experiences. They want to shop at local supermarkets, cook their own meals with regional ingredients, and discover the hidden gems of a neighborhood—in essence, to experience daily life in Japan.
From Sightseeing to “Living”
The “live-like-a-local” trend is a direct result of this evolution. Travelers, especially those on longer trips or “workations,” desire the comforts and autonomy of a home. Standard hotel rooms, often lacking kitchen facilities or laundry machines, fall short of meeting these needs. Apartment-style hotels like ‘unito’ fill this gap perfectly by providing the necessary amenities for a self-sufficient, extended stay.
A Closer Look at the New Residence
The ‘unito hotel residence KYOTO STATION North’ is strategically positioned to cater to this modern traveler.
- Prime Location: Situated just a short walk from Kyoto Station, it offers unparalleled access to transportation for exploring both Kyoto and the wider Kansai region, including Osaka, Nara, and Kobe.
- Home-like Amenities: Every room is a fully furnished apartment, equipped with a kitchen, cooking utensils, a refrigerator, and a washer-dryer. This allows guests to maintain their daily routines, from preparing breakfast to doing laundry, creating a genuine sense of living in the city.
- Flexible Stays: The model is designed to accommodate a range of guests, from tourists on a multi-week vacation to business professionals on extended assignments, providing a flexible and comfortable base of operations.
Future Impact on Kyoto’s Tourism Landscape
The opening of this hotel is more than just a new addition to Kyoto’s accommodation options; it signals a potential new direction for the city’s hospitality industry.
A New Standard for Hospitality?
As the demand for immersive, long-term stays continues to grow, we can expect to see more hotel operators adopt the apartment-hotel model. This trend could lead to a diversification of accommodation types, offering travelers more choices beyond traditional hotels and ryokans. Success for ‘unito’ could inspire a new wave of developments focused on providing authentic, residential-style experiences.
A Potential Answer to Overtourism?
Kyoto has long grappled with the challenges of overtourism, where popular spots become overwhelmed, diminishing the experience for both tourists and residents. The long-stay model offers a potential mitigation strategy.
Guests who stay longer tend to explore at a more leisurely pace, spreading their visits throughout the day and venturing beyond the hyper-congested “golden routes.” Furthermore, by living in a neighborhood, they contribute more directly to the local economy, spending money at local shops, cafes, and restaurants rather than solely at major tourist hubs. This disperses the economic benefits of tourism more evenly and can help foster a more sustainable relationship between the city and its visitors.
As Kyoto’s tourism continues to boom—with hotel occupancy rates in the city frequently exceeding 80%—innovative solutions like the ‘unito hotel residence’ will be crucial in shaping a more sustainable and fulfilling travel experience for everyone.
