#Shukuba JAPAN #Shinagawa Area #Guesthouses

Shukuba Japan Reports Growing Autumn Accommodation Demand

Shukuba Japan, a company specializing in guesthouse operations and tour planning, has recently conducted a detailed analysis of accommodation data from its properties, particularly "Shinagawa Shuku Guesthouse & Tours," for the fiscal year 2024. This analysis has revealed significant trends in the behavior of domestic and international guests, which indicate a notable shift from summer to autumn bookings.

Key Findings

The data shows a clear transition in accommodation preferences from summer to autumn over recent years. Pre-pandemic data from 2018 indicates that summer had a slight edge over autumn by more than 2%. However, 2019 saw the gap narrow significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted travel trends markedly during 2020 and 2021, leading to a drastic drop in overall visitor numbers, with summer seeing a quicker recovery. In 2022, for the first time, autumn bookings surpassed summer, with a difference of approximately 4.8%.

Fast forward to 2023, and the summer and autumn seasons are nearly equal, with just a 0.2% difference. However, projections for 2024 suggest that autumn will regain its superiority with an estimated 3.8% advantage over summer. This trend is anticipated to continue into 2025, following a sequence of three years in which summer bookings have shown a gradual decline.

Visitor Statistics

Overall, visitor numbers have been on the rise, surpassing levels from before the pandemic. The analysis indicates a growing proportion of new customers, while the repeat visitor rate has dropped. Notably, from 2023, international guests now make up more than 60% of overall visitors, a striking contrast to the pre-pandemic statistic from 2018, where the ratio was reversed at 38% domestic to 62% international.

Seasonal Trends and Market Dynamics

The increase in autumn bookings correlates with an expanding inbound travel demand. While domestic travelers tend to prioritize summer vacations, international visitors show varied patterns depending on their country or region of origin. This diversification has led to an increasingly dispersed demand across the seasons. The strategic location of Shukuba Japan's guesthouses in North Shinagawa—close to Haneda Airport and major train terminals—further facilitates this varied usage, from tourism and events to business and study.

The company has also noted a decline in summer visitation numbers for three consecutive years, while maintaining stable figures in the spring months preceding the autumn weeks, suggesting a steady trend for ongoing bookings this fall.

Business Performance

Shukuba Japan has reported a year-on-year revenue increase of 116% for its three guesthouse properties, highlighting a robust recovery in accommodation services post-pandemic. The flagship property,