Buildings with historical value are being converted into hotels in greater numbers across the nation. The aim of the initiative is to reduce the financial burden on the building’s owners, who are responsible for maintenance costs. Since those legal changes, consultations from building owners have increased at Note Co., a Hyogo Prefecture-based company that specializes in converting historic buildings into hotels. The Nipponia Harima Fukusaki Library Maison is another lodging facility that utilizes a building designated by the prefecture as an important tangible cultural property. “Guests interested in history choose us because they are attracted to the building’s background,” a representative of the company said.