A mixed-bathing, open-air onsen in Tochigi Prefecture that was forced to close last month amid complaints over lurid sexual behavior by some users is set to reopen following a deal between tourism officials, the operator and the local community.
Tourism insiders have confirmed that the Fudonoyu onsen in Shiobara hot-springs resort area, will open Aug. 1 and tentatively operate during daytime hours on weekends and national holidays until sometime in November. It will also open every day from Aug. 13 to 16 in anticipation of increased visitors during the Bon holiday period.
The decision, which came after hundreds of messages of support for the facility, followed a meeting July 3 between the Fukuwata neighborhood association, which manages the bath, the Shiobara onsen tourism association, the local police and Nasushiobara Municipal Government.