Protecting Our Guests and Our Community: Disaster Preparedness at Yubana Mankai
Atagawa, Izu, is blessed with both the sea and its hot springs.
Walking through the hot spring town while listening to the sound of the waves is one of the special experiences Atagawa offers. At the same time, because this region is surrounded by the power of nature, we must always be prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, heavy rain, and landslides.
Whenever disasters occur in different parts of Japan, we are reminded of the lives affected and of the many people working tirelessly to support recovery. We sincerely hope for the earliest possible recovery of the affected communities, the safety of everyone who has been impacted, and the return of peaceful daily life.
At Yubana Mankai, we do not regard disasters as something distant from us. As a ryokan welcoming guests, a workplace for our staff, and a member of the Atagawa community, we believe it is important to think about disaster preparedness and make practical preparations every day.
Preparedness Begins in Everyday Life
To respond appropriately when a disaster occurs, preparation must begin before an emergency.
Having disaster-prevention equipment is not enough on its own. We need to know who will communicate with guests and how, which routes should be used for evacuation, and how guests and staff inside the ryokan will support one another. These procedures must be confirmed in advance and practiced in real situations.
Yubana Mankai conducts in-house disaster-prevention training twice a year. Through these exercises, we review the conditions inside the ryokan and check our procedures for evacuation guidance and information sharing. During a disaster, actions that are normally simple may become difficult because of a power outage, confusion, or damage to surrounding infrastructure. That is why regular practice is important.
We also display information about evacuation sites inside the ryokan. We want guests to be able to check where they should evacuate during their stay, using information presented as clearly as possible.
Disaster Training in Cooperation with the Local Community
A ryokan cannot prepare for disasters on its own.
Atagawa is home to local residents, workers, businesses, and visitors, as well as accommodation facilities like ours. In an emergency, each part of the community must share information and cooperate from its own position.
Yubana Mankai also participates in community disaster-prevention training twice a year. We confirm local evacuation procedures and evacuation roads, and consider preparedness as something that extends beyond the walls of our ryokan.
Building relationships with people in the community during normal times makes it easier to communicate and help one another in an emergency. In particular, our owner is involved in an organization dedicated to regional disaster preparedness and crime prevention, and contributes to the local community on a daily basis. Through these ongoing activities, we continue to consider the role our ryokan can play as a member of Atagawa.
Collecting Accurate Information and Sharing It Quickly
One of the most important steps during a disaster is confirming accurate information.
A wide range of information circulates on social media and the internet. However, information with unverified sources or unclear details may also be mixed in. At Yubana Mankai, we monitor weather information, announcements from local authorities, and transportation updates in order to understand the situation.
We then share the information guests need as clearly as possible. This may include transportation conditions, evacuation information, and the situation in surrounding areas—information that guests may need in order to make decisions during their stay.
Collecting information is not enough. It must be shared among staff, communicated to guests, and updated when circumstances change. We are committed to real-time information gathering and communication so that guests can act as calmly and safely as possible.
Guiding Guests to Safety When Evacuation Is Necessary
Depending on the type and severity of a disaster, remaining inside the ryokan may not always be the safest option.
If evacuation is considered necessary, we will guide guests toward a safe evacuation site using the evacuation roads identified by the local community. Staff will assess the situation and do their best to help guests move calmly and safely.
For international visitors and guests visiting Atagawa for the first time, it may not be obvious where to go in an emergency. We will take language and cultural differences into consideration and provide guidance as clearly as possible.
However, the safest response depends on the actual weather and damage conditions at the time. We will prioritize the situation on the ground and instructions from public authorities such as the local government, fire department, and police, and choose the safest available course of action.
Considering the Safety of Guests, Staff, and Local Residents
At Yubana Mankai, the safety of our guests is our first priority.
At the same time, our staff must also be safe in order to support guests. We will confirm the condition of the building and take necessary action while ensuring the safety of our employees.
If a major disaster affects the local community, we will also consider what our ryokan may be able to do. On the condition that safety has been secured, we plan for the possibility of receiving guests, staff members, and local residents, and will respond within our capabilities according to the circumstances in the area.
This does not mean that we promise unconditional acceptance in every situation. We will make decisions in cooperation with the local community and relevant organizations after considering the scale of the disaster, the safety of the building and surrounding area, instructions from authorities, and the type of support required.
Continuing to Prepare as a Member of Atagawa
Disaster preparedness is never complete.
Even after training has been conducted, an actual disaster may bring circumstances that were not anticipated. For this reason, it is important to review the lessons learned after each exercise, reassess our information-sharing methods and evacuation routes, and continue making improvements.
Yubana Mankai is a place where guests come to enjoy the hot springs and rest their bodies and minds. To provide a safe stay, however, we also need the unseen preparations that support those peaceful moments.
We want everyone visiting Atagawa in Izu to experience the area’s nature and hot springs with peace of mind. As a member of the local community, we will continue to work on disaster preparedness in everyday life and aim to be a ryokan where people can act calmly when an emergency occurs.
While keeping in our thoughts the communities that have suffered serious damage from disasters, we will continue making the preparations we can in our own community.
If a Disaster Occurs During Your Stay
If an earthquake, tsunami, heavy rain, or another emergency occurs during your stay, please first check the instructions from our staff. Follow announcements inside the ryokan and guidance from our team, and try to remain calm.
Transportation services and local-government information may change as conditions develop. Until safety has been confirmed, please do not travel on your own without checking the latest information. If evacuation becomes necessary, our staff will provide guidance on where to go and how to reach the evacuation site.
Yubana Mankai continues its disaster-preparedness efforts during normal times so that guests can enjoy their journey with greater peace of mind.
Learn more about Yubana Mankai in Atagawa, Izu
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