Tokyo Hotel Prices Skyrocket Amid Tourism Boom and Weak Yen

The bustling capital city of Japan, Tokyo, has been experiencing a significant increase in hotel prices, surpassing even major global cities such as New York and London. This surge can be attributed to the rapid growth in tourism, driven by both domestic demand and foreign visitors seeking to take advantage of the weakened yen. The average daily room rates in luxury hotels are now approximately 30% higher than pre-COVID levels.

ph: Palace Hotel Tokyo

One prominent example is the Palace Hotel Tokyo, located near the Imperial Palace, where the average daily hotel room rate recorded between January and July reached 87,999 yen (approximately $600). This figure represents a substantial 40% increase in comparison to the 2019 average of 62,047 yen. Notably, during March and April, when cherry blossoms were in full bloom, the average daily rate at the Palace Hotel Tokyo exceeded 100,000 yen for the first time.

Similarly, the Imperial Tokyo Hotel experienced a notable increase in room rates, with a rise of about 30% in June alone. In the second quarter of 2023, the hotel's average daily rate reached nearly 60,000 yen, compared to 36,045 yen in the fiscal year ended March 2019. These numbers highlight the upward trajectory of hotel prices in Tokyo, driven by both domestic and international demand.

It is crucial to recognize that the surge in hotel prices is not solely attributable to growing domestic demand and supportive tourism policies by the Japanese government. Foreign tourists, benefiting from the weakened yen, are also eager to return to the "land of the rising sun." The price advantage resulting from the currency exchange rate has piqued the interest of American and European tourists, contributing significantly to the surge in hotel rates.

President Hideya Sadayasu of the Imperial Hotel expressed optimism about further increasing room rates, considering the weaker yen. The sentiments are echoed by US hotel research firm STR, which reported that the average daily room rate for high-end hotels in Tokyo between January and June 2023 reached 46,133 yen. This represents a remarkable 33% year-on-year increase compared to 2019, far surpassing the gains witnessed in major tourist cities like New York (16%, equivalent to $355) and London (30%, equivalent to £289 or $364).

Traditionally, Japanese domestic hotel chains have been perceived as more affordable than their foreign counterparts. However, a comparison based on yen prices conducted by the Nikkei reveals that the price of a room with a king-size bed at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is now approximately 155,000 yen, almost equivalent to its counterpart The Ritz-Carlton in New York's Central Park, which costs around 145,910 yen. Furthermore, the Hilton charges a hotel room rate of 73,000 yen at its top location in Tokyo, compared to 52,076 yen at the New York Hilton Midtown. It is essential to note that the prices offered in Tokyo are not directly influenced by those at Hilton hotels overseas.

To attract high-end clientele and increase the average spend per customer, Japanese hotel chains are actively enhancing their offerings. Palace Hotel Tokyo, for instance, has expanded its suite offerings during the pandemic, while also considering the possibility of constructing a luxury hotel on the Palace Hotel Hakone site in Kanagawa prefecture. The Imperial Hotel Tokyo has plans to rebuild its main building in the 2030s and expand room sizes to justify higher prices. Additionally, Hotel Tokyu recently launched a new brand, opening a hotel in Tokyo's vibrant Shinjuku district with room rates exceeding 3 million yen per night.

With ambitions to increase the amount of money spent by foreign tourists in Japan to 15 trillion yen, as compared to 4.81 trillion yen in 2019, the Japanese government recognizes the significance of attracting affluent visitors while averting undue strains on resources. Tourism industry experts emphasize that tourists who spend 1 million yen or more during their stay accounted for just 1% of domestic tourists in 2019. However, they contributed to a significant 11.5% of the total global spending in the sector.

The remarkable increase in hotel prices in Tokyo reflects the growing popularity of the city as a global tourist destination. Encouraged by the weakened yen and pro-tourism policies, both domestic and foreign tourists are flocking to Tokyo, resulting in a surge in hotel rates. As the demand for luxury accommodations rises, Japanese hotel chains are actively expanding their offerings to attract a wealthier clientele. The Japanese government's ambitious goal of increasing tourist spending highlights the importance of both sustainable growth and maintaining Tokyo's reputation as an attractive destination.