Since around 1997, I started traveling all over Japan on my days off with my beloved dog and wife, riding my favorite motorcycle and car. At that time, accommodations where we could stay with our dog had too many breed restrictions. I still remember feeling disappointed, as if our family values of loving our pet as a family member were being denied. With each trip, I increasingly wanted to stay at places that welcomed pets as family members. Believing that even an inexperienced business would be protected if we created a hotel for dog-loving families facing the same issues, we opened “Hotel Shunka Tottori Daisen Resort” in July 2007.

Since we started everything on our own, we were not recognized at first and had few customers. There were even times when snow prevented guests from reaching our hotel. Despite these challenges, we never gave up. What kept us opening our doors and waiting for guests were the heartfelt words we received, such as “Thank you so much” and “We were well taken care of. We will come again.” As we began to receive these words from almost all our guests, we felt they were a true testament to the mutual trust and appreciation between us and our customers. These words became a beacon of hope, giving us the confidence and courage to continue our work with renewed passion.

Wishing to share the feeling of “another home” with more dog-loving families, we opened Hotel Rinka Hakone Gora Resort in April 2009, followed by Hotel Shunka Ise-Shima Resort in July of the same year, and Hotel Rinka Fuji Yamanakako Resort in February 2014. In 2015, due to increased volcanic activity in Mount Hakone, we temporarily closed Rinka Hakone Gora Resort. Prioritizing our guests’ safety, we began restoring services in October of the same year. In July 2017, thanks to the trust and long-standing patronage of our guests, our hotel business celebrated its 10th anniversary.

In March 2020, we opened Kobe Rokko Guest House in the Rokko Mountain area as a designated accommodation facility under the National Park Law, the first such opening in 100 years. In March 2022, we opened Hotel Shunka Setouchi Ushimado Resort in Ushimado, Okayama Prefecture. In November 2023, due to aging facilities, we closed two of our hotels, Rinka Hakone Gora Resort and Fuji Yamanakako Resort, and embarked on a new journey with four remaining hotels.

I believe that “love is mutual, continuous trust.” Love is formed by maintaining a relationship where both parties rely on each other. Therefore, I want to continue loving nature, people, and my work. Serving others and being useful to them is what work is all about. This belief connects to the love for people and pets, extends to the love for nature, and ultimately leads to travel.

All employees of Hotel Shunka and Kobe Rokko Guest House respect the family values of our guests and their beloved dogs. We strive to create a hotel culture filled with compassion and tranquility, where guests can say, “This is another home” and “This place has the scent of another home.” We sincerely hope for your continued patronage.

Group Hotel Representative Akihiro Yasugi and All Staff