World’s 1st Hydrogen-Powered Hotel Opens in Fukushima Pref.

Namie, Fukushima Pref., March 25 (Jiji Press)–A hotel utilizing hydrogen as its main energy source opened in the town of Namie in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima on Wednesday. The hotel is the first of its kind in the world, according to its operator, Namie-based Date Juki, which runs heavy machinery rental and freight transport services. Namie, which aims to create a community expediting the use of hydrogen, is home to one of the world’s largest hydrogen production bases. The hotel is a detached house built next to a hydrogen station operated by Date Juki. The company hopes to attract customers by promoting the hotel as a real-life example of what a life with hydrogen as a major energy source would be like. When the station is in operation, hydrogen is sent to the hotel’s fuel cells, water heater and grill through a pipeline, providing power to all energy-related equipment at the facility. During the night, when the station’s operations stop, external electricity generated by renewable energy sources is used to power the hotel. The hotel’s accommodation charge stands at 97,000 yen per night, with guests limited to one group per day. At the opening ceremony Wednesday, Namie Mayor Eiko Yoshida and other participants toured the hotel. Meat and vegetables cooked on a hydrogen-powered grill were served. “If we incorporate hydrogen into our lives, we could expand its use,” Date Juki head Akihiro Zenji said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]