Kyoto Temples Impose Ban on Patrons of Four Hotels Building Disputed High-Rise
Seven famed temples in Kyoto will refuse to admit guests of hotels run by a company that is building a controversial high-rise hotel in Japan’s ancient capital, Buddhist officials said Friday.
The ban on visitors who are staying at the four hotels run by the Kyoto Hotel group will begin in December, the Kyoto Buddhist Assn. announced. It did not say how it planned to distinguish these hotel guests.
The Kyoto District Court this month rejected a complaint by Buddhist monks seeking to halt construction of a 198-foot hotel in the scenic city, which has few tall buildings.
The temple association says the building will detract from Kyoto’s religious and cultural heritage.
Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital and home of the imperial court from 794 to 1868, attracts 40 million visitors a year.
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