Old ryokan to reopen as hostel, Ito Onsen, Shizuoka Pref.

Formar Ryokan Inaba under renovation. (photo: Mar. 2009)

A closed down ryokan in Ito Onsen, Sizuoka Pref. will come back as a backpackers' hostel this summer or later.

The Ryokan Inaba (旅館いな葉）, a three-story Japanese inn built in 1920's is the oldest wooden ryokan in Ito City, registered as a national tangible cultural property in 1998. It went out of business in June 2007 due to business aggravation and aging of the employee. (Photo: Sep. 2007)

But it's under renovation right now and will open again under K's House, the biggest backpackers' hostel chain in Japan. Too early to say "Welcome back"?

[Update] The Ryokan Inaba reopened as "K's House Ito Onsen" on August 1st, 2010.

Travel Tips:
Ito Onsen - located upper east coast of Izu Peninsula, is easy to access from Tokyo by train. Direct Express Train "Odoriko" serves between Tokyo and Ito, taking about an hour and 45 minutes. You can walk to Inaba (K's House Izu Ito Onsen) in about 10 minutes from the Ito Railway Station.

Link:
Official website of Ito Shightseeing Association (in English)

Useful words:
Ito Onsen （伊東温泉）
Izu Peninsula （伊豆半島　pronounce as Izu hantoh）
Express Train Odoriko （特急踊り子　tokkyu odoriko）