Hotels

Tadashi Nagasawa

Professor, Faculty of International Communication, Sugiyama Jogakuen University; 1986 Letters

Listening to an analysis of the Eagles' "Hotel California" in a "History of American Literature" class was the starting point of my research into pop culture. The analysis by the late Professor Akira Yamamoto, who read this hotel as a metaphor for "America," provided me with an intellectual excitement I had never experienced before.

The protagonist, seeking a night's lodging at a hotel in the desert, struggles to escape from the world of vanity and deception that unfolds there. But in the end, "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." He is confronted with the reality that there is no escape. It is a song that perfectly symbolizes 1970s America, which was covered in a sense of stagnation and despair.

Even more important is the fact that it is a "hotel." An artificial space like the ultra-luxury hotel on the album cover (The Beverly Hills Hotel) is precisely a metaphor for America. A place originally created to provide comfort and dreams has, before one knows it, turned into a prison that robs people of hope. And no other place to live can be found anywhere. Now, doesn't the country we live in today also somewhat resemble this "hotel"?

Shinichiro Okamoto

President and Representative Director, Hotel Grand Palace Co., Ltd.; Member of Tokushima Keio Club; 1993 Economics

Tokushima Prefecture, which for many years ranked last in the country for overnight guests, is now attracting attention as a casual travel destination. Following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, its growth rate in overnight stays ranked 4th nationally, and it ranked 2nd nationally in destination searches during Golden Week.

Our hotel is located in the center of the city and primarily serves business users. Unlike hot springs or resorts that market the "extraordinary," we strive to satisfy guests who visit us as an extension of their daily lives.

In addition to service, meals, and comfortable spaces, we provide all the services a hotel can offer in a comprehensive, one-stop manner. This includes a wide menu utilizing local ingredients, the installation of large public baths, the development of gifts for souvenirs, staycation plans for casual holidays, and facilities for workations such as remote work.

"Peace to those who enter, happiness to those who leave." These are the words I was taught as the spirit a hotelier should possess when I joined Hotel Okura Tokyo after graduation. Even as times change, I want to continue welcoming guests without ever forgetting this spirit.

Kazuhiko Yashima

Director and Executive Officer, Imperial Hotel, Ltd.; General Manager, Imperial Hotel Tokyo; 1994 Commerce

The Imperial Hotel was born in 1890, taking on the role of Japan's state guesthouse. In 1909, centered around Eiichi Shibusawa, who served as the first chairman, Aisaku Hayashi—who was well-versed in Western culture—was recruited as the first Japanese general manager. Hayashi declared that architectural grandeur was one of the requirements for an international first-class hotel and commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright, an architect active in the United States, to design the second main building. In 1923, the building commonly known as the "Wright Building" opened. While the exquisite architectural beauty radiating from its symmetry and harmony with the nature of Hibiya Park spreading out before it is famous, it is less known that half of the total floor area was dedicated to guest rooms and the other half to social spaces such as banquet halls. It was a hotel where guests from all over the world gathered, functioning not only as a place to stay but also as a venue for cultural exchange. Affectionately known as the "Jewel of the Orient," it brought surprise and inspiration to visitors until it closed its doors in 1967. Thanks to your support, the "Wright Building" celebrated its 100th anniversary this September. We will continue to inherit Wright's legacy and fulfill our mission as one of Japan's leading hotels.

Tatsuo Yoshikawa

Professor, Faculty of Economics, Keio University

The Chinese word "fandian" (飯店) also carries the meaning of a hotel. Initially, it meant an eatery, but it later came to mean an inn as well. Since examples of its use can be seen in the mid-18th century novel "The Scholars" (Rulin Waishi), it was being used even before Western-style hotels were born in China.

The first Western-style hotel in China is said to be the Richard's Hotel in Shanghai. Its Chinese name was "Licha Fandian," and thus the equation of fandian = hotel was successfully established.

Furthermore, today terms such as "jiudian" (酒店) and "binguan" (賓館) are also used to mean hotel. In particular, it is said that "jiudian" is often used mainly in the coastal regions of southern China. One survey shows that in Hainan Province, nearly 60% of hotels include "jiudian" in their names, while "fandian" is extremely rare.

It has also been pointed out that "jiudian" became dominant over "fandian" during the era of Reform and Opening-up. Perhaps once one has enough "fan" (food/rice), the next step is "jiu" (alcohol). It is interesting as it seems to symbolize China's economic development, which grew wealthy starting from the southern coastal regions.