Japanese ryokan, eateries use ingenuity in overcoming virus hardships

Tourism and eatery businesses across Japan have racked their brains to come up with unconventional campaigns to retain customers in their bid to overcome the hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.In March, the Grandia Housen, a traditional-style "ryokan" inn in Awara, a hot spring resort in Fukui Prefecture, began providing an unlimited monthly stay plan, including breakfast, for around 50,000 yen ($470). The arrangement enables customers to check-in at the ryokan on any given evening except for Saturdays and the day before a holiday.Limited to 10 groups, the plan sold out in two…READ FULL ARTICLE