Local hotelier Kairakuso Ltd on Thursday opened a new hotel in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture.
The opening of the hotel, Ofunato Onsen, was made possible through a contribution of 50 million yen in loan funds from the Mitsubishi Corporation Disaster Relief Foundation (MCDRF). These funds complement support already being provided by The Bank of Iwate, a local financial institution.
At a mere three minutes' drive from the Sanriku Expressway's Goishi Coast Interchange, Ofunato Onsen Hotel offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel's natural hot springs, or onsen, are said to be good for neuralgia, arthritis and chronic gynecological conditions. Beyond the therapeutic value of the onsen's waters, dynamic dishes made from fresh seafood caught by the hotel owner himself, who has a commercial fishing license, is also a special feature of Ofunato Onsen.
In addition, the new hotel is adopting a firewood boiler system, which makes use of locally produced wood, thereby contributing to the local forestry industry. The opening of Ofunato Onsen also creates some 30 jobs and is expected to have a ripple effect on the local economy. Aiming to host 50,000 guests annually, the hotel also doubles as a relaxation space for local residents as well as a hub for the region's tourist industry.
MCDRF's support for Ofunato Onsen was decided on the basis of its potential to create employment and because of the contribution it will make to reviving the local economy. Three years and four months have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but recovery efforts are still underway in areas that suffered severe damage.
MCDRF said it will continue to collaborate with local financial institutions such as The Bank of Iwate to support efforts aimed at the revitalization of industry and employment creation, and overall economic recovery in areas affected by the disaster.
© JCN Newswire
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