A must-read for anyone wanting to open a guesthouse! 6 examples of guesthouses utilizing vacant houses.
With the COVID-19 pandemic subsiding, travel demand is recovering both domestically and internationally.
Especially in 2023, which marked the first year after the COVID-19 pandemic ended, many people probably took the opportunity to travel again after a long time.
Furthermore, there is a growing number of people who want to welcome tourists, and some may be aspiring to open a guesthouse.
This time, I'll be writing an article about "opening a guesthouse using vacant houses," which I highly recommend for people like you.
I believe that it's possible to open an attractive guesthouse that not only offers economic benefits but also incorporates the story behind the vacant house.
If you're even slightly considering opening a guesthouse in the future, please give this a read.
A guesthouse is a type of accommodation that differs from traditional hotels and resorts, possessing its own unique charm.
It's not just pure sightseeing; some people stay there seeking interaction with the local community, while others, like address hoppers, stay there as part of their nomadic travel. As a result, it often attracts a diverse range of travelers.
Guesthouses have the following characteristics:
A key feature of this place is the warm, homey atmosphere created by the owner's emphasis on interaction with guests and local residents.
Even first-time guests will be warmly welcomed by the community.
Many guesthouses offer affordable accommodation, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.
In many cases, you can stay in a private room that prioritizes privacy, and you can choose from a variety of room types.
Often located near tourist attractions or community hubs, one of their distinguishing features is that they allow visitors to experience the charm of the area firsthand.
Unlike hotel accommodations, you can experience local cuisine and culture, and enjoy a deeper travel experience by interacting with the local people.
The hotel offers amenities such as a shared kitchen, lounge, and free Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests.
Since some guests stay for extended periods, the accommodations are often designed to ensure a comfortable and convenient lifestyle.
Meeting other travelers is one of the great pleasures of staying in a guesthouse.
You often make friends while traveling, and then meet again at other travel destinations, so your circle of travel companions grows as you stay at guesthouses.
Next, I will introduce the appeal and benefits of opening a guesthouse using vacant houses.
Some readers may find certain points surprising.
As many people probably imagine, the biggest advantage is that it's more cost-effective compared to building a guesthouse from scratch.
In many cases, the combined cost of acquiring and renovating a property is cheaper than building a new one.
Another option is to rent out vacant properties, which can be a less risky way to start than buying them outright.
Additionally, some municipalities offer subsidies for utilizing vacant properties, so if you take advantage of these, you can significantly reduce the costs involved in starting your business.
Depending on the condition of the vacant house and the prospects after renovation, it is possible to reduce the effort involved in design and construction by utilizing the vacant house without changing the floor plan or by using existing shelves and doors.
In the case of vacant houses in good condition, they can sometimes be put into use immediately after cleaning and tidying up.
This might be surprising, but another benefit is that it makes it easier to integrate into the local community.
When you're doing renovations, local residents will reach out to you, and landlords of vacant properties will introduce you to the community.
Since vacant houses themselves have a history, utilizing them means carrying on that history, and many people appreciate this.
Now, let's look at seven examples of guesthouses utilizing vacant houses from all over Japan.
Each one has its own unique character, so I hope you'll take your time and look at each one carefully.
Located in Yakumo Town in southern Hokkaido is the guesthouse "SENTŌ," which exudes a distinctly Japanese, traditional atmosphere.
As the name suggests, 'SENTŌ' is a guesthouse converted from an old public bathhouse, and its history dates back to the Taisho era.
The hotel offers both dormitory and private rooms, and guests can relax in the tatami-floored shared lounge.
This guesthouse allows you to fully experience the history and charm of the region and the property itself, offering opportunities to participate in agricultural and dairy farming experiences, and to dine at a restaurant converted from a public bathhouse.
Address: 30 Suehiro-cho, Yakumo-cho, Futami-gun, Hokkaido 049-3112 Access: 10-minute walk from JR Yakumo Station Parking: Available URL:https://yakumo-village.com/guesthouse/
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guesthouse & Cafe SENTŌ [Yakumo Town, Hokkaido] (@sento_kominka)
"Koagari to Uraniwa to Dougu U (hereinafter referred to as U)" in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture, is a guesthouse and community shared space operated by Next Commons Lab Tono.
This guesthouse, located on the second floor of a renovated private house, offers completely private rooms and a comfortable atmosphere, making it perfect as a base for long-term stays.
It can be used by anyone for 3000 yen per month, and it is not uncommon for events to be held there through private rentals.
U's official website also has a page called "How U Was Created," which documents the renovation process, so it's a must-see for anyone who wants to start a guesthouse using an empty house.
Address: 5-32 Chuo-dori, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture 028-0523
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Tono Station
Parking: None
SLOW HOUSE, located in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, is a guesthouse that opened in 2022 and warmly welcomes guests with the concept of "slow life."
We raised funds for renovating the vacant house through crowdfunding and are doing the renovations ourselves.
The guesthouse is gaining popularity as a place that is open to the community, with guests and locals gathering in the cafe space for breakfast.
SLOW HOUSE's Instagram posts are unique and interesting, so be sure to check them out.
Address: 1-3-3 Saiwai-cho, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture 988-0026
Parking: Available
Access: 5 minutes by car from Kesennuma Port Interchange
Official website:https://slowhouse.mystrikingly.com/
INN-SECT, located in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, is a multi-purpose facility operated by a local IT company, combining a cafe, guesthouse, and coworking space.
The building is a former local credit union, and the second floor is used as a guesthouse.
We offer dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds and semi-private cabins, and you can also rent an entire room for private use.
The cafe on the first floor hosts a variety of events, making it a popular facility open to the local community.
Address: 29 Nikaicho, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture 708-0024
Parking: None
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Tsuyama Station
Official website:https://inn-sect.com/
Setouchi Works Residence GATE (hereinafter referred to as GATE) is a facility that opened in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture, as a place that provides "work (roles)," "housing," and "community."
Not only can you stay at GATE as a guesthouse, but you can also rent it as a residence, and by staying at GATE first, you gain access to local jobs and community, which is a great advantage.
In fact, in recent years, there has been an increase in cases where people who have temporarily stayed at GATE as part of a trial relocation program have ended up moving to Mitoyo City.
It is also used as a co-working space for local businesses, and has truly become a "community hub" where travelers, tenants, and local residents can interact on an equal footing.
Address: 282-10 Nio-Otsu, Nio-cho, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture 769-1404
Access: 15 minutes by bus from JR Kannonji Station
Parking: Available
Located in Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture, facing the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, "Kodateru" is a facility that utilizes a renovated two-story private house that had become vacant.
The co-working space on the first floor is used by local residents, and also serves as a learning space for local children, including programming classes.
The second floor is a guesthouse, where you can stay in a private room or, by removing the partitions, you can stay in a group setting like a training camp.
The concept is "a secret base where everyone plans together," and locals and tourists alike gather here, creating exciting "plans" every day.
Address: 2187 Mukainada, Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture 796-0001
Parking: Available
Access: 25-minute walk from JR Yawatahama Station
Official website:https://codateru.com/
Roopt, which renovates and utilizes vacant houses, also has many guesthouses.
This article will also introduce some examples of Roopt.
Opened in 2020 in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 'OGAWA' acquired a vacant house and land, renovated it, and operates it as a guesthouse.
This house, approximately 70 years old (as of 2023), has been revitalized with minimal renovations while still ensuring its functionality as a guesthouse.
This guesthouse embodies the spirit of "use what you have," for example, by using discarded materials from the renovation to make desks.
Located close to Ishinomaki city center, this guesthouse is particularly popular with groups during the summer months.
Address: 1-2-2 Izumi-cho, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 986-0832
Check-in: 17:00
Check-out: 10:00
Parking: None
Access: 15-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station
Official website:https://roopt.jp/stay/ishinomaki-izumicho_ogawa/
Roopt Ishinomaki Hiyorigaoka operates as a hybrid of a share house and a guesthouse, utilizing one of the rooms in the share house as a guest room.
This property utilizes a former employee dormitory of an insurance company, and while some remnants of its past remain, the living rooms and guest rooms have been beautifully renovated.
By creating a hybrid model combining a shared house and a guesthouse, residents become more conscious of cleanliness, keeping the shared house clean, and guests also have opportunities to interact with each other, making it a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Located near the summit of Hiyoriyama, one of Ishinomaki City's symbols, a short walk to the top reveals a magnificent ocean view of the Pacific Ocean.
Address: 1-21-13 Hiyorigaoka, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
Parking: None
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station
Official website:https://roopt.jp/sharehouse/miyagi/ishinomaki/ishinomaki-hiyorigaoka/
Roopt Okumatsushima, located in Okumatsushima, the innermost part of Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, is also operated as a shared house and guesthouse.
This property utilizes a renovated, large detached house with 9 bedrooms and a living/dining/kitchen area, where relaxed interactions between share house residents and guesthouse guests are fostered in the spacious living room and community space.
The guest rooms can accommodate multiple people and are frequently used by families visiting Matsushima and Ishinomaki, as well as tourists from overseas.
With its spacious parking lot and garage, some guests choose to stay for extended periods for activities such as surfing.
Address: 1-3-3 Shintomei, Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture 981-0413
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
Parking: Available
Access: 12-minute walk from JR Tōmei Station
Official website:https://roopt.jp/sharehouse/miyagi/higashimatsushima/okumatsushima/
Located in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, within walking distance of Shiogama Shrine, "Roopt Shiogama Kaigan-dori" is a shared house created by renovating the 2nd to 4th floors of a 4-story building.
The guest room is located at the back of the living room on the second floor, and its proximity to the living room makes it a welcoming space for residents.
This "Roopt Shiogama Kaigandori" project also reflects the spirit of "using what you have," utilizing discarded materials from other properties throughout the building to create a unique renovation.
The entrance has an automatic lock, allowing guests to freely enter and exit even when residents are away.
Address: 5-7 Kaigandori, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture 985-0002
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
Parking: None
Access: 1 minute walk from JR Hon-Shiogama Station
Official website:https://roopt.jp/sharehouse/miyagi/shiogama/shiogama-kaigandori/
This time, we introduced guesthouses across Japan that utilize vacant houses.
With inbound tourism demand on the rise, there are probably many people who are thinking, "I'd like to run a guesthouse!"
Utilizing vacant houses is an attractive option, so if this article has piqued your interest, I hope you'll do some research on vacant houses.
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