Audio By Carbonatix
When 27-year-old Tetsuya Inoue began running Asahi Ryokan -- a hotel in the Japanese city of Fukuoka that is owned by his grandmother -- he wondered how he could improve business in the new economy.
Inoue had an idea: what if he could use the internet to bring in a new audience and a new revenue stream?
Now, guests coming to Asahi Ryokan have the option to pay just ¥100 (about $1) per night to stay the night -- if they agree to have their entire stay livestreamed.
That said, there are restrictions around how the livestreaming works. Inoue explains to CNN Travel that the feed is video-only, so guests will have privacy in their conversations or phone calls. His YouTube channel is called One Dollar Hotel.
Guests are permitted to turn the lights off, and the bathroom area is out of camera range.
"This is a very old ryokan and I was looking into a new business model," says Inoue, who started running the hotel last year. "Our hotel is on the cheaper side, so we need some added value, something special that everyone will talk about."
So far, four guests have taken him up on the offer since Inoue began offering the deal last month.
A sign in the livestreamed room warns guests about dos and don'ts of their stay.
"Young people nowadays don't care much about the privacy," Inoue adds. "Some of them say it's OK to be [watched] for just one day."
And while the $1 rooms are clearly a loss leader, Inoue is thinking beyond the cost of a single night's stay. The YouTube channel has already passed 1,000 subscribers. Once it accumulates more than 4,000 view hours, he will be able to put ads on the channel and monetize it.
On days when the room is vacant or no one is streaming, Inoue will post a livestream of himself working in the ryokan's office. Signs in Japanese and English are posted in front of the camera to let viewers know when he's out of the room.
So, besides the opportunity to have thousands of strangers watch your REM cycle on the internet, what's the incentive to head to Fukuoka?
Plenty -- so much that CNN Travel named Fukuoka one of its must-visit destinations for 2019.
The pretty seaside city is known for its incredible food. In addition to local, freshly-caught seafood, Fukuoka is also the birthplace of the popular Ichiran chain, home of yummy pork tonkotsu ramen. Also, the acclaimed Fukuoka Art Museum reopened in early 2019 following three years of renovations.
That said, there are restrictions around how the livestreaming works. Inoue explains to CNN Travel that the feed is video-only, so guests will have privacy in their conversations or phone calls. His YouTube channel is called One Dollar Hotel.
Guests are permitted to turn the lights off, and the bathroom area is out of camera range.
"This is a very old ryokan and I was looking into a new business model," says Inoue, who started running the hotel last year. "Our hotel is on the cheaper side, so we need some added value, something special that everyone will talk about."
So far, four guests have taken him up on the offer since Inoue began offering the deal last month.
A sign in the livestreamed room warns guests about dos and don'ts of their stay.
"Young people nowadays don't care much about the privacy," Inoue adds. "Some of them say it's OK to be [watched] for just one day."
And while the $1 rooms are clearly a loss leader, Inoue is thinking beyond the cost of a single night's stay. The YouTube channel has already passed 1,000 subscribers. Once it accumulates more than 4,000 view hours, he will be able to put ads on the channel and monetize it.
On days when the room is vacant or no one is streaming, Inoue will post a livestream of himself working in the ryokan's office. Signs in Japanese and English are posted in front of the camera to let viewers know when he's out of the room.
So, besides the opportunity to have thousands of strangers watch your REM cycle on the internet, what's the incentive to head to Fukuoka?
Plenty -- so much that CNN Travel named Fukuoka one of its must-visit destinations for 2019.
The pretty seaside city is known for its incredible food. In addition to local, freshly-caught seafood, Fukuoka is also the birthplace of the popular Ichiran chain, home of yummy pork tonkotsu ramen. Also, the acclaimed Fukuoka Art Museum reopened in early 2019 following three years of renovations.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Brazil have talent for World Cup, but victory not guaranteed – ESPN’s Bertozzi
7 minutes -
NPP race: Don’t waste your vote, Bawumia is winning – Annoh-Dompreh to NPP delegates
8 minutes -
NDC still brought Mahama even when he lost by over one million votes – Annoh-Dompreh to NPP
14 minutes -
Ofori-Atta becoming a ‘brave coward’ – Franklin Cudjoe backs Arise Ghana protest
19 minutes -
Trump links Greenland threat to Nobel Peace Prize snub, EU prepares to retaliate
36 minutes -
More than 160 churchgoers kidnapped in twin Nigeria attacks – Clergy
46 minutes -
Ezzy Waterproof Paint makes a bold statement in Ghana’s construction sector
1 hour -
Don’t vote for a candidate the NDC is campaigning for – Annoh-Dompreh to NPP delegates
1 hour -
Alhaji Seidu Abagre denied bail
1 hour -
COMAC to hold emergency meeting on January 21 over fuel price floor policy
2 hours -
NPP Primaries: ‘I only trust election day poll’ – Dr Adutwum
2 hours -
Two babies die in incident at unlicensed Jerusalem daycare centre
2 hours -
Bawumia faces fresh questions over consistency, electoral logic and economic silence
2 hours -
‘Europe is at a total loss’: Russia gloats over Greenland tensions
2 hours -
MMDCEs urged to clamp down on rogue drivers, mates over unapproved transport fares
2 hours
