Some small hotels don’t want foreign guests
The Associated Press has reported the following survey result:
The survey carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs shows that 72 percent of establishments that didn’t have foreign customers in the past year don’t want any, and the majority are ryokans and hotels with fewer than 30 rooms. Such businesses said they are unable to support foreign languages and that their facilities are not suited to foreigners.
While more than 60 percent of the country’s inns and hotels hosted foreign guests last year, the results indicate it may be hard to expand this number.
The survey results indicate a fear of the unknown. Small ryokans that have never had foreign guests simply do not know what to expect, and their owners are very nervous about the communication and service problems that will occur with foreign guests that do not speak Japanese. The number of foreign tourists coming to Japan is increasing every year, and these hotels will have to overcome their fears if they want to cash in on the opportunity.
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Don’t sweat fellow gaijins , it’s our brilliant Dollar bills they wouln’t get a sight of in the next , like … a century
!!!
I was in Kyoto earlier this year. I’m a very tall (6′4″) and very white (Irish heritage) American. I went into a restaurant with my newspaper (I was traveling alone, and like to read a newspaper if I’m eating by myself) and indicated that I wanted a seat for one. They had me wait. Then they sat a couple that walked in. Then another couple. Then a single guy. I thought for sure I was being discriminated against (first time in my life as a white guy). Just about the time I was going to walk out, a Japanese woman came up to me and asked how many were to be seated. We chatted a bit on the way to the table, and I told her the story I just relayed to you. She was absolutely HORRIFIED that I thought I wasn’t being seated because I’m a gaijin. She explained, “No! I’m the only one here who speaks English and I was taking a break! They wanted me to seat you and take your order to make you more comfortable!” Well, I certainly felt like a dope! Had a great meal there!
Why should they adapt? Say you run a nice quite ryokan in a quiet rural, mountainous area. Your main selling point is the traditional atmosphere of a wooden building with tatami on the floors, a nice, but humble hot spring, good, but undeniably Japanese food and a friendly staff. Let’s assume they turn a small, but stable, profit. Their clientèle consists mainly of Japanese couples and groups of co-workers looking for a break from a hectic life in the big city, longing for an environment where they can relax, and feel as if time is standing still.
Now, I doubt such a ryokan would object to a foreign couple that speaks Japanese, and exhibits all the signs of people that know how to behave in such a traditional environment, or would at least ask when in doubt. Or perhaps they wouldn’t object, or rather even welcome, a small group of Japanese friends accompanied by a foreigner that shows at least some signs of understanding the local culture.
The tone James strikes in this article makes it seem that the staff of such a ryokan, who may barely speak a few words of English, should be obliged to welcome busloads of foreign tourists who can’t speak a single word of Japanese, have a completely different set of norms and values, and may not understand some of the most basic rules of conduct in such an environment. May the kami be merciful if they even bring their offspring!
You’re welcome to explain this in any way you see fit, but if you want to bridge the divide between “them” and “us”, why should they be expected to be able to deal with foreign tourists, foreign values and a foreign language in their own land? That’s not only rude, it is pure and simple cultural imperialism.
郷に入っては郷に従え。
They are by no means obliged to encourage foreigners to stay at their ryokans. I merely stated that those hotel owners that want to cash in on the increasing numbers of foreign tourists will need to prepare for language problems and cultural misunderstandings.
there should be some sort of education program for innkeepers AND foreign guests. foreign guests should know what to expect at a tradional japanese inn but how could they know if the innkeepers and, maybe, the government body dealing with tourism don`t put that information out there. the innkeepers just assume that all foreign guests are troublesome and that is just not fair. not fair to foreign guests and not fair to japan.
Obviously with an onsen there are hygiene issues related to bathing before entering, but aside from that, what else is there? I find it tremendously hard to believe that there is this mysterious group of foreigners going around pillaging ryokan throughout Japan – more likely, guests are already acting as polite as possible and anything seen as problematic stems from a lack of understanding that a simple explanation can clear up. Seriously, if airplanes can explain safety procedures using only pictures, how hard is it to do the same thing with an onsen?
But as for the comment by Anonymous above, no one is saying that the ryokan have to adapt to meet the needs of their foreign guests, but under Japanese law, it’s illegal to prohibit them from staying. So as James said, they can make small adjustments to prepare for difficulties they *perceive* might happen, or they can suffer through a series of communication problems. This isn’t cultural imperialism, this is common business sense.
Anyway, the main issue seems to be not that gaijin are rampaging wildebeest, but language issues. In terms of “facilities,” they may only have Japanese-style squat-pots, or have tiny yukatas, or something. But in general, it seems that the single biggest issue Japanese have with foreigners is language – once that is covered, then cultural issues and other issues can be explained, but without it, then it can be very hard indeed. It’s very easy to jump to “Japs hate Whitey” conclusions, but this lack of desire seems to stem more from fear than dislike.
Yeah, with the small ryokans it seems more like “Englishphobia” than xenophobia. I doubt there are a lot of good English speakers or other language speakers working in these small, out of the way places.
I have watched some videos of drunk Russians who splash in the onsen,laughing and screaming.That’s why I don’t think Japanese “are by no means obliged to encourage foreignersto stay at their ryokans”,as James says.But I do agree they have to improve their English:-)
Wow.. but how can they object to this rude behavior when I have seen numerous couples bring their children into onsens and let them do the same thing?
My point being that neither should be acceptable of course.
Well, because the type of behaviour we allow 6-year-olds to get away with is not the type of behaviour we expect from 36-year-olds.
I’ve been to near 40 countries and I love travelling. I haven’t heard of anything like this anywhere, and have never been turned away by my nationality.
Whether these owners will actually do this when people show up is something I simply don’t know.
It is horrible and stupid if they put these views into practice, and if they want to lose money, then they are idiots.
Some small hotels do not need more customers because they have regular customers and they do not need the customers who can’t speak Japanese because the cost of providing foreign language service outweighs the benefits they will gain.
What these small hotels should do is not to reject foreigners outright but just speak Japanese to the applicants and accept the foreigners who can speak Japanese. In that way, the foreigners who can’t speak Japanese will realize they are not right hotels for them.
Since it’s not really that common in Japan for foreign visitors to just rock up to the front door and say “any room at the inn?” I hope this would work, it being residents who are more likely to do this. Overseas visitors, on the other hand, are far more likely to use booking sites, which are opt-in. So those hotels that are happy for non-J speakers to use can advertise in non-J media. Unless of course more non-J speakers do just rock up to a random hotel….
They should accept people who stay.
I am sure if they were overseas they would hate to be turned away.
As a traveler, I have stayed at more places where I couldn’t communicate fully than I could, and there has never been a problem.
If these some Japanese people think it is okay to reject people who can’t speak Japanese well enough then they should be comfortable with Japanese people abroad being similarily denied service.
It is not okay to reject foreigners:the law forbid it. But it is economically not stupid to avoid the cost.
Anyway, some Japanese hoteliers mistakenly believe they are supposed to speak English or the language of the guests. But they should know that they don’t have to speak English and still can provide good service as this clip says.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=wI4aqFn_di0
On the other hand, I can understand the some of Japanese hoteliers are embarrassed by some foreigners when they are used to only Japanese guests.
Mind you, I am not saying all Japanese guests behave well.
Interesting video, ponta. I did notice however, the comments “they started accepting foreign visitors from X years ago” definitely aren’t, strictly speaking, legal. That is, it implies they refused them before that, which (as Debito likes to point out) is quite illegal according to the Hoteliers Law.
In a related experience, I was in Italy last month, staying at a small hotel in a small town right in the south. My Italian is limited to the main pizza types, and the hotel owner’s English was no better. But we managed to get the meaning across, mostly. Took a bit of time, mind you. But the main thing is a willingness of both parties to accept this extra effort and work within its limitations.
I think what they mean is they started accepting foreigners actively 7 years ago.
If you look at Debito’s recent post debito.org/?p=1941,
it says;
Among those hotels that checked no to acceptance of foreigners.
When hoteliers says no to acceptance of foreigners, in case of fukushima prefecture, they mean either they have never had foreign guests or they are not actively accepting forefingers because they can’t speak English thought they don’t refuse foreigners.
(Debito didn’t translate this part, )
My goodness, Debito’s written Japanese could use a bit of improvement. Anyway, I think it needs to be made more clear that in the vast majority of cases, the rejection is due to worries about language and culture, rather than a dislike of foreigners per se.
I have heard – many years ago, and only anecdotally – that the biggest issue with Japanese tourists overseas was them flooding the bathroom….
I am not sure which written Japanese you are referring to, but the quote is written by a Japanese public worker who responded to Debito’s inquiry. He didn’t tell the whole story in English.
Sure his written Japanese needs a lot of improvement just as my English needs a lot of improvement. And anyway the Japanese, including myself, need a practice to speak and write so as not to mislead people just as Debito’s followers on his blog need to learn to discuss in Japanese with Japanese people.
That’s possible.
I was thinking more of his blog page: the initial email from him, which had some rather unusual phrasing.
Okay, I got it. This one?
Yep, this need improvements. If I have to use the words he used,
I would rewrite
Yeah, that’s the one I was thinking of, ponta. Although I’d probably make it a little more softer, myself. Such as “苦情のメールが来ましたので、それを転送させていただきました。どうぞ内容をご確認ください。” And then on to “please investigate the matter. It’s just that in my experience it always helps to add an extra layer of politeness when you want to get people to do something. Not a major issue.
i think it doesnt really apply to all foreigners. I saw many taiwanese and koreans who were staying at onsens and ryokans in japan and the hotel didnt seem to mind. I think this is because of the cultural difference the japanese have in mind for caucasians, blacks and latinos.
If I were a japanese owner i would surely have an image of foreigners horseplaying around the hot spring.
What the government should do is implement a guideline for all ryokans to have signboard in english regarding what you should do in an onsen.
I still can’t believe that for a developed country like japan, less wealthier countries like china, philippines, malaysia and vietnam are still much more hospitable to foreigners
Sorry, but this is a slightly ridiculous statement. Of course it doesn’t apply to all foreigners, or all inns. Having stayed at more than a few in my time, I know this well. In fact I have never seen any white or black people horseplaying in a ryokan bath – which doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but it’s not too common (I would say most of this horseplay is in public baths and the like anyway).
Be interesting to seriously compare say China with Japan in terms of hospitality to foreigners. First, what are the criteria? With China, we are hampered too by the fact that chunks of the country are simply closed to foreigners, so being turned away there is a matter of government decree rather than local ideas. There is also the fact that when Japan wants to be hospitable, it is very very good at the task. I have no complaints about Chinese hospitality, mind you – and I do like their willingness to work with you on the language issue (kanji are very useful here). But seriously – how do you compare?
I disagree with requiring english signage. not every foreigner speaks english. Just have illustrations. universal signs for “danger” “exit” “one way” “no smoking” are much more universal and efficient.
it is their honne, right
We can all help each other out by meeting in the middle here right?
Smaller Japanese inns and ryokans should better prepare themselves to handle foreign customers, and foreigners should better accustom themselves in Japanese culture to make life easier for both sides.
Right, next onto the middle-east issues…
got to agree with kevin. there is a myth that there are all these impenetrable customs about living/travelling in japan. i remember reading up on these sorts of things before i first came over here but was informed when i did arrive that most were anachronisms. i think it feeds into the way that (some) japanese like to see themselves but just puts up walls between us and can be used as an excuse for less tangible fears of the unknown
i feel a little sympathetic to the retired couple pension owners but i think their fear is based on prejudice and not helped by images they must see in the media. also, i agree that someone should remind these people that it is not necessary to be a fluent english speaker in order be a good host.
blah
Just personal opinion, but if it was me…there are so many places where one can stay.This is business, after all, if the company(ryokan) wants to develop and prosper, they need to find more ways to attract more capital(money), including foreign capital from foreign tourists.If they think keeping the current policy of taking only guests they can communicate with will keep the enterprise alive, it is again their choise.And we, foreigners, haven’t run out of places to stay when we travel around Japan.I’ve never stayed in ryokan so far-it is much more expensive than a hotel or YH.Also, there are enough ryokans with English speaking stuff in the most common tourist sites for all who want to experience Japanese lifestyle.
BTW, for ponta:Humility and humbleness are two essential Japanese virtues.Boasting with your Japanese language skills, (B- level) just to prove that the others don’t speak Japanese and to humiliate them just makes you look…nasakenai.
I think you will find ponta is Japanese. But I didn’t see anywhere where he says he is using Japanese to prove others don’t speak the language and to humiliate them. Could you provide a quote?
Look, I agree with you on the first part of your comment;that hoteliers who wants to more profits from foreign tourists need more ways to attract foreign tourists. And in fact the many hotels are doing that.
But there are some portion of hoteliers who don’t need foreign capitals nor foreign tourists. I am saying there is nothing wrong with them speaking only Japanese on the phone to let foreign tourists decide whether these are right hotels for them.
Many Japanese tend to speak in English, at least try to use English when spoken by foreigners in foreign language and that makes them more tensed and makes them feel the communication with foreigners is troubles. I am suggesting that they should change this attitudes.
I don’t have to boast with my Japanese language. Japanese is my native language, and nobody boasts of the fact that they speak native language. If you thought my Japanese was B level, perhaps that tells something about your level of Japanese comprehension.
Just to prove that others don’t speak Japanese? Hell no. I know a lot of people here speak and write Japanese.
To humiliate? ・・・・ What ?????
Are a lot of foreigners speaking English in Japan trying to humiliate Japanese by speaking English?
Are you writing English to humiliate most of Japanese readers here????
If that is the case, I am afraid that is truly nasakenai.
And if you feel humiliated when the Japanese speak to you in Japaense,I am afraid you are mistaken.
I’m sorry, I was pretty busy these days.I just came back from Korea and didn’t have my laptop with me.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I write in English here because most of the posters and the administrators use it. I’m lecturer in Japanese language and literature, and in your first post you were mixing conversational and formal language-this happens with most foreigners who study Japanese from real life conversations rather than at school.
I have seen both cases-Japanese talking in Japanese to humiliate foreigners and foreigners talking in English to hurt Japanese, and I disagree with both, because the language is a way to bond with people, not to distract them.
I think the point of the article was if it is right or wrong to refuse service to somebody based on his nationality, no matter what the excuse is. Maybe it wouldn’t feel so discriminatory if instead of 外国人 ｘ there was a sign like 外国語不可 or 英語不可, or as I see on many sites “Sorry, Japanese language only”, one won’t feel undesired and rejected and if even in that case the foreign tourist wants to stay there, he will stay on his own responcibility.
Yep, I agree. 外国語はしゃべれません might be better because 外国語不可 sounds as if they were forbidding people to speak foreign language.
As a side note, what some foreigners are sometimes mixing, I think, is not a conversational language with formal language, but a intimate friend-to-a^friend conversational laugage such as 行く？行くか？行くべ？ 行こか？with a stranger-to-a stranger conversation such as 行きますか？行きましょうか？ in some contexts.
I wrote in semi-formal way but they can be both conversatinal and (semi)formal.
“The survey results indicate a fear of the unknown. Small ryokans that have never had foreign guests simply do not know what to expect, and their owners are very nervous about the communication and service problems that will occur with foreign guests that do not speak Japanese. The number of foreign tourists coming to Japan is increasing every year, and these hotels will have to overcome their fears if they want to cash in on the opportunity.”
And IF there is a STRONG demand for these small ryokans, they will do so accordingly. Let the market dictate whether these ryokans should employ foreign speakers and/or install foreigner friendly facilities.
Some ryokans may just not need them simply because they are content on servicing Japanese customers and have done so for many years.