Ryokan in crisis?

It's a shocking title but we have to act to keep traditional Japanese culture that is a positive one.

Ryokan, the Japanese Inns have serious problems, a local newspaper reports early last week.

They are struggling to find employees and to fund for the building maintenances.

Working hours are very long and most of these premises are family runs. They get up early to cook breakfasts and stay late to wash up after dinner and to look after premises.

Then these long working hours with such a lot of commitment push away young people to take over the positions. It's understandable because I got stressed due to long working hours and felling under the pressure a lot.

As the premises are small so employers cannot afford to hire many people, I assume.

Working conditions need to be improved to keep such good cultures that Western people will be attracted with.

I guess many locals would be sad to see Ryokan ceasing, so why not setting foundation up to keep nice traditional Inns? Tourism organisations can lead the project and ask relevant organisations such as tourist atttactions and transport operators to help Ryokan.

It's sad to see many independent shops are closed everywhere and losing uniqueness, but Ryokan can be owned by chains so that they can afford to hire more people to reduce working hours and stresses for their valued employees, I think.

I wish Ryokan survives forever.