Ms. Hanatani: The number of hotels within Nara Prefecture has increased considerably. At one point, Nara ranked either dead last or second to last among Japan's 47 prefectures in terms of the number of accommodation facilities. As of 2025, it ranked 43rd. While increasing overnight stays naturally boosts tourism spending, our figures are still in a completely different league compared to Kyoto.

Ms. Sato: To address this, we need visitors to travel south beyond just Nara City, venturing into areas like Asuka and Yoshino. That is precisely why establishing a hotel in the central and southern regions carries such profound significance.

Ms. Hanatani: Because the entire village is regulated by the Asuka Law, no buildings higher than two stories can be constructed in Asuka Village.

Ms. Sato: Reflecting on those strict limitations, I am truly grateful that the village reached out to Hoshino Resorts to initiate this project.

Ms. Hanatani: One of the things that deeply moved me while working at Hoshino Resorts was that every single guest who visited was exceptionally pleasant and wonderful. The staff also place immense value on communicating with the guests. Moreover, they operate under a multitasking framework while seamlessly maintaining eye contact and connection. Being able to provide hospitality by genuinely walking alongside each guest—and finding real joy in doing so—is perhaps what made the experience so fulfilling for me.

Ms. Sato: Ms. Hanatani’s natural qualities and her professional aspirations aligned perfectly with Hoshino Resorts’ vision. We refer to this approach as the ""Ryokan Method."" Similar to the world of the Japanese tea ceremony (sado), it is not about merely executing what a guest explicitly requests; rather, it involves actively anticipating what the guest truly desires and considering what unique value we can offer from our side. Sometimes, simply doing exactly as requested may not actually be the best solution.

Ms. Hanatani: I was deeply impressed when I was advised: ""Consider what you would do if the guest were a member of your own family, a close friend, or a loved one."" That perspective—viewing every guest as a friend or family member—has been incredibly valuable to my work in Asuka Village’s tourism sector since my return. It teaches you to constantly think about how to help guests enjoy their limited time to the fullest, and how to make their journey more convenient. That was a profound realization for me.

Mr. Watanabe: Do you believe that these types of exchanges should continue in the future?

Ms. Hanatani: Yes, I strongly believe that these exchanges should continue. It creates a meaningful experience where the community, the local government, and Hoshino Resorts become intricately interwoven. I am certain there are local residents who are eager to be involved as well, and I believe it is vital for the entire region to act as one unified body. That being said, during the exchange, there were moments when I struggled with my own identity and sense of belonging. Therefore, I think it would be beneficial to return to the village office periodically for touchpoints. At Hoshino Resorts, I was viewed as ""the person from the village office,"" while at the village office, I was seen as ""the person away at Hoshino Resorts."" There were times when I wondered exactly where I belonged.

Ms. Hanatani: Despite the challenges, I firmly believe that overcoming them will prove invaluable for the future. If HOSHINOYA continues to be a part of this community for the next 10 or 20 years, the locals will feel truly glad that the resort came here, and Hoshino Resorts will feel equally proud to have established HOSHINOYA in Asuka Village. I hope I can play a meaningful role in fostering that kind of relationship.

Ms. Sato: From Hoshino Resorts' perspective, I believe the true value of an exchange like this will manifest from the current pre-opening preparation phase through to the grand opening and beyond. The framework to return the benefits of this deep connection to our guests begins now. Through this process, I am confident we will see concrete achievements—realizing that operations flow more smoothly or that we can unveil a much deeper layer of the region's charm precisely because we engaged in this personnel exchange.

Mr. Watanabe: Hoshino Resorts will undoubtedly continue to develop more properties in the future. There are endless opportunities ahead.

Ms. Sato: The possibilities are certainly there. It truly depends on our efforts, which brings a profound sense of responsibility. For me, the single greatest reward from this experience was gaining both public and private sector perspectives. Being able to work as a public official during my assignment and engaging with local residents, business owners, and many others on an equal, open footing—this is something I could never have experienced simply as "me, the Hoshino Resorts employee."

Ms. Sato: I have been deeply interested in regional revitalization since my student days, and even now, I always ask myself, ""Whose faces will light up with a smile through this effort?"" Working at the village office allowed me to encounter diverse opinions from various standpoints, which has enabled me to visualize this ""whose faces"" aspect with far greater clarity. Furthermore, I recognized the unique potential that we hold as a private enterprise and an accommodation provider. While it is often challenging for a governmental body to narrow its focus onto specific tourism resources when distributing information, a hospitality property has the distinct ability to highlight and elevate those unique regional charms.