HACHINOHE, Aomori -- An upcoming ice show by star skater Yuzuru Hanyu has boosted accommodation reservations in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, with some hotels charging more than twice their usual rates.
Tickets to see Hanyu -- who announced his decision to become a professional skater after winning back-to-back Olympic titles in men's figure skating -- have not yet gone on sale to the general public. The show is scheduled for Dec. 2 and 3.
One hotel near Hachinohe Station said it received a flurry of reservations via the internet and other means and quickly filled up its rooms after the event was officially announced on Tuesday.
"Accommodations in the city filled up quickly. Hanyu is incredibly popular," a hotel official said.
Youtree, a lodging facility adjacent to Hachinohe Station, said it had been fully booked for the 20th anniversary of the station's Shinkansen line opening, and it had no choice but to turn down reservations.
"The attention to Mr. Hanyu will boost the local community," a hotel official said.
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