Ginza is a shrine to conspicuous consumption. But the high-end shopping district’s newest luxury hotel — offering “onsen” baths in every room — excels through a different commodity: privacy. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/15/lifestyle/ginza-luxury-hotel-onsen-fufu-new/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #lifestyle #hotels #onsen #sento #luxurygoods #ginza #fufu
The Japan Tourism Agency is considering covering half the cost of installing fences around outdoor baths at traditional inns and hotels to prevent bear attacks amid a surge in sightings. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/11/japan/bear-aid-outdoor-bath-fences/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #japantourismagency #ryokan #bears #animals #onsen #hotels #tourism
The Japan Tourism Agency is considering a system to aid the demolition of abandoned ryokan Japanese-style inns. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/09/japan/society/abandoned-inns-demolition/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #japantourismagency #tourism #ryokan #onsen
A 60-year-old hot-spring facility worker has gone missing in Iwate Prefecture in a possible bear attack. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/17/japan/onsen-worker-missing-bear/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #bears #iwate #onsen #japanesepolice
In the sleepy village of Hokkaido’s Kawayu Onsen, a debate over what regional revitalization should look like has made opening a new resort hotel a major project. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/06/lifestyle/kawayu-onsen-tourism-revival-hoshino-hokkaido/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #lifestyle #travel #onsen #hotels
As historic thermal baths in Romania's picturesque Baile Herculane spa town have fallen into an advanced state of decay, volunteers are fighting to save them. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/19/world/society/volunteers-romania-cultural-treasures/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #society #onsen #romania #architecture