THE JAPAN TIMES


 

The Royal Hotel, Ltd. announced Friday it will begin offering physical therapy for guests of its Rihga Royal Hotel in Kita Ward, Osaka City, starting Oct. 1. The service starts at ¥1.96 million per room for 30 nights, including tax. As the number of guests continues to decline because of the pandemic, the company hopes to attract a more affluent clientele.

About 10 exercise machines including treadmills have been set up in the conference room on the 7th floor of the Tower Wing. Special rooms have also been prepared with handrails installed in the bathroom and next to the bed.

Polaris Inc., which is based in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, and operates nursing care facilities nationwide, will be in charge of managing the facility and overseeing the rehabilitation services.

The basic plan includes breakfast for up to two people per room and physical therapy sessions for the elderly or those who need to improve their mobility or range of movement. A two-night trial is also available starting at ¥110,000 per room.

Many elderly people are noticing a decline in their physical abilities as a result of staying at home because of the pandemic and find it difficult to go to rehabilitation centers.

“We would like to propose ‘rehabilitation tourism’ as a new way of using hotels amid the damage caused by COVID-19,” said Shuichi Kageyama, president of The Royal Hotel, at a press conference.