Abstract
Guesthouses and hostels are becoming increasingly common in Japan. However, this social trend has never been studied on the basis of a scientific investigation. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey. The survey results reveal the elements of the guesthouse managers' motives for opening. This paper suggests two points regarding the background of the increase in guesthouses in Japan: (1) the increase in foreign tourists visiting Japan has increased the need for accommodations, and (2) the domestic accommodation system faces challenges and growing dissatisfaction.
