What Owning a Traditional Japanese Inn is Like 🇯🇵

🇯🇵 Remember to use code ABROAD to get $5 off your first #Sakuraco box now: team.sakura.co/abroadinjapan-SC2308 | Experience Japan from the comfort of your own home!🍡 NOTIFICATION SQAUD: It's always the ultimate learning experience spending time with entrepreneurs and business owners in Japan and I'm certainly keen to continue this series following on from this fun documentary. With Yamagata prefecture being my spiritual home in Japan, having spent my first three years there as a teacher, I jumped at the chance of filming in a Ryokan in the region. I feel incredibly lucky to have met Minami san and heard his story - stick around until 20:05 for the moving story of how his home village was submerged and turned into a lake! Hope you enjoy the episode

Seriously, every time Chris introduces us to one of these businessmen they are ALWAYS so genuine, nice and passionate. Such amazing people.

The owner was seriously so adorable and very inspirational. I wish all bosses were like that. I would love to travel there one day

Something that stood out to me, which I'm not sure whether a cultural thing or specific to Minami-san, is how he talked about the mindset of a businessman is to offer something to the world and serve customers. Not to just be successful or make a profit, but specifically give others something to remember first and foremost. Him working among his staff really solidifies that as they're all working equally towards that goal.

My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary in Japan this year and this inn is at the top of my list now.

It's upsetting that something with such cultural significance that can be shared with everyone is on the decline. You can really see the pride and hard work that goes into this practice; not just another vacation excursion but an actual window into the traditions of Japan. We definitely need some more videos like this promoting the more generational skillsets Japan has to offer. Cheers for the video, you 100% should inquire about tourism Japan funds to turn this into a seasonal series!

I'm already thinking of having my honeymoon here, and I'm single. Thanks Chris, you're really great with the stories of life and people and bringing things that's never even on my radar. I hope this channel lives a long time.

I work as a waiter and always get disgruntled whenever I see a boss just not caring about very much doable things the guest is requesting. Going the extra bit and remembering what drinks they like already puts a smile on people, so Minami-san's dedication to the whole service and hospitality is deeply respectable. If only there were more leaders like him

Minami san just exudes kindness, dedication, compassion, and something truly spiritual. The tragedy of his old neighborhood flooding and how he was able to reinvigorate his family's business to where it's thriving is truly, like you said, inspirational. And then the way he sent you off with such a warm heartfelt farewell got me so teary-eyed.😂 If you ever decide to write another novel, you've gotta include his story!❤

You have to admire Minami san's dedication, vision, persistence and unique involvement. The guy does a little of everything and embodies the Japanese spirit. It's a great success story to turn around a situation where it might have been easier to throw in the towel. A very impressive person.

I'm touched to see an inn being rewarded for its personal touch. In a world where everything is manufactured, processed and then shipped out to reach as many people as possible, knowing that businesses still exist which pride themselves on the quality of the experience they provide is refreshing.

Despite having to wake up at 4am to film that kayak scene, the whole thing was a hell of a lot of fun! Marcus crushed it on that edit too! I look forward to the next time I can meet Minami-san 😄

"Osteria Sincerità" is in Italian!! What an incredible honor to see the Japanese still be influenced by our culture! For anyone curious it roughly translates too "sincerity tavern"

you're SERIOUSLY making me want to come to Japan for good..

I've been watching you since the teaching days, and I just wanted to make a comment to show some appreciation for what you do. The videos just keep getting better and better, and I really like the way you present Japan in the kind of real, and non-sensationalist way. It really reflects my own impression of how it was when I lived there some years ago, so I feel like I'm being transported back there when I watch your videos. Once again, great video and looking forward to your next one!

Great project! I love these documentary style films you make. It's a shame they don't always favour the algorithm, but hoping this does really well.

Minami is incredible, a real jack of all trades. Endlessly sympathetic, hard working, dedicated and also a great example of real hands-on leadership. No wonder he was able to turn the tides on the failing family business.

Every time he films ryokan, it really makes me want to book one. Seeing the hard work to maintain and run them is eye opening

Chris...Thanks for this inspirational video. CEO of successful company comes back to run family business. This should be the premise of a movie or tv series. Minami san seems like the Ted Lasso of ryokans. Its awesome you are exposing this side of Japanese culture to individuals who make a difference.

Yamagata prefecture seems to be one of the hidden, but not so hidden jewels of Japan. This was yet another amazing video. Takinami Ryokan would be an experience of a lifetime.