Guest number of Japanese style inn in spa areas after the extension of Hokuriku

Abstract

The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line newly started operation with the extension of the railway from Nagano to Kanazawa on March 14, 2015. Many promotion activities have been carrying out to increase the lodger number with the extension. Some Shinkansen Lines had a jinx. Namely it is said that the visitors decrease largely in the second year after the operation or extension. The total number of inn (Ryokan in Japanese) guests in Hokuriku primary nine spa areas is investigated to verify the Shinkansen effect. As a result, it is obvious that these areas experienced a decrease in the second year after the extension compared with the first year; Kaga four spa areas: 7.6, Wakura: 9, Wajima: 15.7, Unazuki: 10, Awara: 5.5, Yuwaku: 8.3 (%). These areas, which increased more than 15 % in the first year of the extension compared with the previous year, experienced a decrease of over 10 %, except Yuwaku. However, the areas still increased over 10 % compared with the previous year of the extension. Investigation was carried out to examine the causes of decreasing. As a result, both visitors (including one day trippers) and inhabitants had various kinds of dissatisfactions. In an era of falling birthrates and an aging society, it is necessary to manage the tourist resources systematically based on the intension of local residents (including tourism operators) and to invite inbounds from various countries.