AssetID: 54627593
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Japan's Iconic Hot Springs Struggle as Tourism Booms and Water Levels Drop
Caption: Japan’s Iconic Hot Springs Struggle as Tourism Booms and Water Levels Drop. Japan’s world-famous natural hot springs, or onsens, are facing a crisis as overtourism drives water levels dangerously low in several popular towns, CNN reports. In Ureshino, a historic onsen town in Saga Prefecture, local officials report a 20% drop in water levels, with supply plunging to a record low of 39.6 meters last year. Deputy Mayor Hironori Hayase says tourism has surged beyond pre-pandemic levels, putting significant strain on the town’s hot spring resources. Ureshino’s 30-plus ryokans and hotels have been urged to limit private in-room baths, particularly overnight, to reduce pressure on water supplies. Private baths are especially popular with international visitors, many of whom prefer them over communal ones due to Japan’s custom of nude bathing. While communal onsen access can cost as little as $3, demand for exclusive in-room experiences—often priced in the hundreds—has skyrocketed. Officials say the spring remains technically sustainable, but Mayor Daisuke Murakami warned that tough measures may be needed to protect tourism and natural resources. Other famed onsen towns like Niseko have also been hit, with water levels dropping by 15 meters over three years due to tourism, aging infrastructure, and poor maintenance. Even onsens not yet facing shortages, like Ginzan Onsen, are limiting access to day-trippers during peak winter seasons to manage overcrowding. Experts warn that without upgrades and tighter regulation, Japan’s onsens—culturally and medically treasured—could face long-term damage from the weight of their own popularity. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Travel & Adventure,Ureshino,Niseko,Ginzan Onsen,Saga Prefecture,onsen water shortages,Hironori Hayase,Daisuke Murakami,Akihiro Otsuka,Chuo Onsen Research Institute,Japan National Tourism Organization,private onsen baths,communal bathing customs,Japan onsen law,aging infrastructure,Japan tourism,onsen crisis,overtourism effects,Japanese hot springs,travel infrastructure,water conservation,ryokans,cultural heritage,wellness tourism,thermal springs,visitor impact,traditional bathing,sustainable tourism,infrastructure maintenance,tourism pressure Japan
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