Japanese hotels in World Cup city are closed to foreigners

Traditional hotels in the Japanese coastal town of Niigata have closed their doors to non-Japanese-speaking guests just weeks before the start of World Cup matches to be held there.

According to a report in the newspaper Asahi Shimbun, the 26-member Niigata Inn Association is refusing to accept foreign guests who do not speak Japanese.

The association cites the difficulties of the language and cultural barriers between native Japanese and visiting foreigners not schooled in Japanese customs.

Japanese inns are run along traditional lines, where guests sleep on futons on straw flooring, shoes are removed at the door, and breakfast can consist of a raw egg with rice.

Many of the association's members speak only Japanese and are not familiar with foreigners, "so I'm afraid we have decided to turn them away," said a spokesman.

Overseas visitors seeking rooms are told the hotels are full, even though vacancies remain.

Western-style hotels in Niigata have long been fully booked for the nights of the matches.

Ireland will play Cameroon in the city's new stadium on 1 June.

More than 400,000 World Cup fans are expected in Japan between May 31 and June 30.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 18-24 April 2002