OTARU on the Internet

Lingering winter has gone, and Hokkaido's cherry blossoms season is drawing near. There are a few popular cherry blossoms viewing spots in Otaru. One of them is the garden of Kourakuen along Yuragi Street that leads to Asarigawa Hot Springs. Cherry blossoms blooming in profusion in the garden of about 66,000sqm delight the eyes of visitors during the season every year.

Kourakuen is a well-known Ryokan that has rooms with private open-air hot spring bath. This Ryokan enjoys having many overseas guests mainly from other Asian countries as well as the Japanese. Kourakuen is putting out solid information in English on their web site for the convenience of overseas people.

K.Shirane, GLOTAL staff, interviewed Mr. Yukihiro Yoneyama, the Managing Director of this exquisite Ryokan with a huge Japanese Garden. (The interview was held on April 10, 2006)

Interview

GLOTAL: (abbreviated as G from the followings)
Thank you very much for your precious time for this interview today. First of all, could you tell me the history of Kourakuen in brief?

Mr. Yoneyama (abbreviated as Y from the followings)
It's nice to see you. The beginning of Kourakuen dates back to 1937 when my grandfather bought the extensive land of about 14.85 hectares. At first, he was planning to build a large-scale amusement park which could be equal to *Otamoi Resort. He constructed the garden with manual labor on his own while he was managing a steel store as his business. Then, he hit hot springs in 1955, and began hotel business in 1957.

(*Otamoi Resort existed on the Otamoi Beach for 20 years since 1930's. In those days, it was a prime resort in Hokkaido which had an amusement park for children, an entertainment hall, some restaurant etc.)

G: It's amazing that he did it all manually to make the garden of this scale. I often visit here in cherry blossoms season, but I didn't know that there was such a story. I think I should appreciate the garden bearing your grandfather's painstaking work in mind. Kourakuen is an old traditional Japanese-style hotel, but at the same time, you use modern technology to attract guests by means of web site.

Y: General information concerning our facilities is available from our web site. We suggest various staying plans on the page, too, so that you can pick out the appropriate plan.

G: The web page in English is also well-organized, isn't it?

Y: Most of the inquiries and booking from overseas guests have been made by internet. Many of our overseas quests are from Hong Kong, and our web site seems to be working effectively to those people.

G: Is there any well-reputed service among the overseas guests?

Y: The private open-air bath attached to guest room is very popular. To take a bath mingling with other people is not common practice in overseas countries. Private open-air bath is convenient for those who are reluctant to take a public bath, but would like to enjoy a hot spring in more relaxing and private open air space. Besides, the snow seems quite attractive for overseas guests. Some guests enjoy the touch of snow out in the garden in Yukata (thin Japanese bathrobe). The cold of winter itself may be the attraction for the guests from snowless countries.

G: Do you have any particular services taking account of overseas guests?

Y: We have a guide in English for overseas guests and give it to them at the front desk on their arrival. The guide offers general information on the use of facilities including how to use Japanese-style bath, which is much the same for Japanese guests. We try to avoid bothering the guests with too much information. I think a little inconvenience can be kind of fun when in a foreign country. I hope that our guests enjoy it as part of different culture.

However, I feel some improvement is necessary concerning transportation. Community shuttle bus service to link Asarigawa Hot Springs with the city center is an idea, for example. Giving information how to use public transportation is also fundamental.

G: I see. It is the matter that the whole Asari community may have to cooperate together. Are you involved in any activity from that point of view?

Y: Yes, we occasionally meet the overseas students of Otaru University of Commerce to discuss how Otaru as an International Tourism City should be. It's just the beginning, but I personally would like to ask them by questionnair how Otaru's tourism looks through the eyes of foreigner.

G: It sounds you are playing an active role in developing international tourism of Otaru. Thank you very much for your interesting and instructive talk. Could you give a message for overseas guests visiting Otaru to conclude this interview?

Y: Otaru is a romantic city rich in historic flavor. I hope visitors enjoy this wonderful city as much as possible.

G: Thank you very much.

When I visited Kourakuen, the garden was still in course of preparation for new season. It will not be long before you can enjoy a wonderful view. I am looking forward to seeing another fine cherry blossoms this year again. If you ever visit Otaru at the cherry blossoms season, please don't miss Kourakuen's garden.

Details of Kourakuen are available from their web page. I recommend you to refer to the page before visiting here.

News (December, 2006):
Kourakuen started new service, the Aroma Esthetic Clinic RAKU, that gives you treatments applied with scented aromatic oils and first class esthetic treatment techniques.

Price list:

Standard massages are also available. For more detail, please contact Kourakuen.

Kourakuen
5-23-1 Shinko, Otaru
Tel. +81-134-54-8221
Fax. +81-134-54-8223
http://www.otaru-kourakuen.com/english/index.html

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