The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido is a 70-kilometre bicycle path that connects Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, and is a popular spot visited by many cyclists from Japan and abroad. However, inns located on remote islands along railway lines are facing issues such as an aging population and a lack of successors. Therefore, efforts began to revitalize the region and preserve the inn’s existence.
One of them is “uninhabited accommodation”. This is a system where the inn owner lives in another location, and guests check in and out by themselves and pay in advance online. Uninhabited accommodations have facilities such as kitchens and washing machines, making them suitable for long-term stays and people who want to cook their own meals. Currently, there are about 10 uninhabited inns on remote islands along the Shimanami Kaido.
Another option is to utilize travelers. This is an initiative in which inn owners ask their guests to help them. For example, in exchange for having someone do work such as cleaning, cooking, or tending the garden at an inn, the accommodation fee may be discounted or free. People who want to experience local culture and life and people who want to contribute to the local community participate in the traveler initiative. Currently, there are about five inns on the remote islands of the Shimanami Kaido that utilize travelers.
These initiatives are expected to have the effect of deepening communication and trust between inn owners and guests, as well as promoting inn management and the appeal of the region. Inns on remote islands along the Shimanami Kaido are trying to survive by proposing new accommodation styles.
Current status and challenges of inns on remote islands
About the current situation and challenges of inns on remote islands on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido. Inns on remote islands are facing issues such as an aging population and a lack of successors, and their survival is at risk. The decline in tourists due to the coronavirus pandemic has also had an impact. Under these circumstances, inn owners aim to revitalize the region and ensure the survival of their inns by proposing new accommodation styles. It realistically conveys the plight and challenges faced by inns on remote islands, and I hope it will capture the interest of readers.
Advantages and disadvantages of unmanned accommodation and utilizing travelers
Two initiatives are introduced: unmanned lodging and utilizing travelers. An unmanned inn is a system in which the owner of the inn lives in another location, and guests check in and out by themselves and pay in advance online. Utilizing travelers is an initiative in which inn owners ask guests to help them. For example, in exchange for having someone do work such as cleaning, cooking, or tending the garden at an inn, the accommodation fee may be discounted or free. These initiatives are expected to have the effect of deepening communication and trust between inn owners and guests, as well as promoting inn management and the appeal of the region. However, on the other hand, unmanned accommodation may reduce the service and safety of the inn. Utilizing travelers may cause inn owners to place an undue burden on guests, or guests may not follow the inn’s rules. You need to have a well-balanced understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of unmanned lodging and utilizing travelers.
The future and prospects of inns on remote islands
The future and prospects of inns on remote islands are also touched upon. Inns on remote islands are trying to survive by proposing new accommodation styles. However, this alone is not enough; other measures are also needed. Examples include the development of websites and apps that collect information and reviews of inns on remote islands, collaboration between inns on remote islands, bicycle rentals, restaurants, etc., and training and support for successors and staff of inns on remote islands. The content also makes you think about the future and prospects of inns on remote islands.
