Originally Posted by
CPH-Flyer
It has been heard of in other countries that hotels could facilitate tourist visa applications. So I don't see as a far flung thought that they could start in Japan as well if the tourist visa thing continues to be a thing for many of the now suspended visa waiver countries.... Though currently the process does very clearly say registered travel agents, so there would need to be a rule change, or the hotels would need to make a lot of effort to get there.
I don't think it needs to be quite so complicated. A hotel could simply partner with an RTA and direct their guests there to facilitate creating a "tour" for them and charge a fee. Seems like a very logical and easily profitable step to take.