HOSTY inc.

About HOSTY inc.

HOSTY inc. is a real estate and hospitality firm established in June 2015 by founder and CEO Hiroki Yamaguchi. The company has carved a specific niche within Japan's competitive hospitality market by developing and operating unmanned compact hotels. Its primary business revolves around the hotel brand 'mizuka', which is strategically designed to cater to the burgeoning inbound tourism sector, with a particular focus on group travelers.

The company's operational headquarters is in Fukuoka. HOSTY's business strategy hinges on leveraging technology to create a low-cost, high-efficiency hotel model. By thoroughly integrating IoT devices, such as check-in tablets and other smart systems, it facilitates unmanned hotel operations. This approach was significantly bolstered by the 2018 revision of Japan's Ryokan Business Act, which permitted shared-front operations among multiple hotel properties, a model HOSTY quickly adopted to streamline costs and expand its footprint. The hotels are typically situated in centrally located urban areas with excellent transportation access to attract tourists.

Founder Hiroki Yamaguchi's journey began after a period of intense self-development, where he transitioned from a self-proclaimed period of leisure to business at age 21. He was part of the founding team of Milog, a venture linked to the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. This experience exposed him to high-caliber talent and motivated him to work intensively, leading him to start his own venture. At 25, he launched HOSTY, initially as Japan's first vacation rental management service, before pivoting to the current unmanned compact hotel business model with the launch of 'mizuka'.

HOSTY's service portfolio is comprehensive, extending beyond hotel operations to include real estate consulting, property renovation and interior design, and cleaning services. The company’s revenue is generated from the operation of its hotels and providing these associated real estate and management services. By offering a packaged solution that includes design, furnishing, and rapid setup—sometimes in as little as two months—HOSTY provides a distinct value proposition to property owners and investors. The firm aims to create a seamless guest experience from booking to check-out and envisions a future of "making the whole city a hotel" by partnering with local businesses to enhance the tourist experience.