Japan: Hot springs face water shortage due to tourism boom

So far, many Japanese local governments have restricted new drilling and called for water conservation, but no long-term solution has been proposed.

Tourists in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Hot spring resorts across Japan are facing water shortages as the number of foreign tourists increases, forcing some to close due to insufficient supplies.

According to a VNA reporter in Tokyo, many Japanese local governments have restricted new drilling and called for water conservation, but no long-term solution has been proposed.

The tourism boom, which has fueled Japan's economy , shows no signs of slowing.

Earlier, at an emergency press conference in late January, Mr. Daisuke Murakami, Mayor of Ureshino City in Saga Prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu, said that water levels were falling, but hot springs were still operating.

Mr Murakami added that local authorities are working to find a solution, especially as the average water level at the Ureshino hot spring source, one of the prefecture's main tourist spots, dropped to a record low of 40.8 metres last year.

The decline was linked by Saga Prefecture to increased demand after the Shinkansen bullet train service began operating in the area, bringing more tourists.

The provincial government has advised hot spring resorts to limit daily exploitation and some hotels to adjust in-room bathing times to late at night to allow water levels to gradually recover.

Hot springs in many other prefectures besides Saga are facing similar challenges. Local governments have restricted new drilling and encouraged water conservation.

However, concerns remain that these measures may not be enough to ensure supply is maintained, especially as foreign tourist arrivals continue to increase.

Experts warn that overexploitation is the main cause of declining water levels. A senior researcher at the Hot Spring Research Center in Japan has stressed the need for a scientific approach to hot spring management.

He also said that monitoring water levels with data is very important.
The number of foreign visitors to Japan is set to hit a record high of 36 million in 2024, according to Japanese government data released earlier this year.

The increase was driven by a weakening yen and the resumption of flights after the COVID-19 pandemic./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhat-ban-nguy-co-thieu-nuoc-o-cac-suoi-nuoc-nong-do-du-lich-bung-no-post1020887.vnp