The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun
Hanyu ice show brings windfall to hotels
HACHINOHE, Aomori — An upcoming ice show by star skater Yuzuru Hanyu has boosted accommodation reservations in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, with some hotels charging more than twice their usual rates.
Tickets to see Hanyu — who announced his decision to become a professional skater a er winning back-to-back Olympic titles in men’s gure skating — have not yet gone on sale to the general public.
e show is scheduled for Dec. 2 and 3.
One hotel near Hachinohe Station said it received a urry of reservations via the internet and other means and quickly lled up its rooms a er the event was o cially announced on Oct. 4.
“Accommodations in the city lled up quickly. Hanyu is incredibly popular,” a hotel o cial said.
Youtree, a lodging facility adjacent to Hachinohe Station, said it had been fully booked for the 20th anniversary of the station’s Shinkansen line opening, and it had no choice but to turn down reservations.
“e attention to Mr. Hanyu will boost the local community,” a hotel o cial said. (Oct. 9)