Hoshino Resorts, a company known for operating luxury hotels and resorts in Japan, is planning to open a 40-room ‘onsen ryokan’ or ‘hot spring inn’ in upstate New York.
The planned location at Sharon Springs, three and a half hours north of Manhattan, was used by Native Americans for its therapeutic benefits, and was a popular resort from the mid-1800s until the age of air travel eroded its popularity.
Onsens are 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. The company says it’s aware that previous attempts by Japanese hotel chains in the 1980s didn’t succeed, but believes it will succeed by offering “a concept that reflects Japanese culture.”
