SAGA — The Ureshino hot spring in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture, widely known as a spa that helps to smoothen skin, is trying to create a barrier-free environment for babies, the elderly and handicapped people to improve safety and comfort.
The trend is spreading to hot springs and tourist spots throughout the country as a way to attract more customers in these hard times.
"We thought it would be impossible to bring our mother to the hot spring but we were able to do it. We really had a good time," said Kazuyuki Ino, 64, from Imari in the prefecture, about his trip there with his 88-year-old mother, Shizu, and two sisters.