Japan’s hot spring resorts are grappling with water shortages as a surge in foreign tourists increases demand, forcing some onsens to shut down due to insufficient supply, local authorities reported on 15 March.
Municipalities across the country have introduced measures to curb water extraction, including restrictions on new drilling and calls for conservation. However, with tourism numbers continuing to climb, a long-term solution has yet to be found.
"Water levels are falling, but hot springs remain operational," said Daisuke Murakami, mayor of Ureshino in Saga Prefecture, at an emergency press conference in late January. He noted that the average water level at the source of the Ureshino hot spring resort, a major attraction in the region, dropped to a record low of 40.8 metres last year.
The decline in water levels has been linked to rising demand following the launch of Shinkansen bullet train services to the area, which has significantly increased visitor numbers. In response, authorities have urged onsen operators to limit daily water extraction, while some hotels have introduced regulations on late-night in-room baths to allow for gradual recovery.
Similar challenges are affecting other regions, with local governments capping new drilling projects and encouraging conservation efforts. Experts warn that excessive water extraction remains the primary cause of the shortages.
Japan welcomed over 36 million foreign visitors in 2024, a record high driven by the favourable currency exchange rate and the resumption of international flight routes.