The public bath "Iwaki Onsen" (Fukuroi, Kuroishi City, TEL 0172-52-3658 ) located along the shallow Ishikawa River in Kuroishi will resume operations on December 19th.

The facility features 100% free-flowing hot spring water drawn from 1,200 meters underground. Founded in 1977 (Showa 52). Although it went out of business in January 2022, it was renovated and revived with support from the local community, mainly from the neighborhood association. The store was named because it offers a clear view of Tsugaru Fuji and Mt. Iwaki.

According to the president, Kasumi Hyogo, the family-run facility was closed down because of the aging and illness of her parents, and she decided that it would be difficult to continue running the hot springs alone. ``After I quit, I heard the condolences from local residents, and it was heartbreaking,'' Hyogo said.

Three local neighborhood associations worked together to try to revive it. According to people connected to the neighborhood association, they heard that a non-local business was considering purchasing the bathhouse, and they felt a sense of crisis that it would no longer become a public bath that has taken root in the local community, so they accelerated the move toward reopening the facility. . Once construction began, local residents started coming to see questions such as ``When will it start?'' and ``Can't we get in yet?''

During the renovation, the waiting room and changing rooms were completely renovated. Although the shower and washing area were repaired, the atmosphere of the bathtub and bathroom remained as they were before the renovation. The counter has been removed and lockers for valuables have been installed. If you rent out the 30 tatami large hall on the second floor, it costs 500 yen per hour (an additional 500 yen is charged for heating in winter). If it is not reserved for private use, the public can also use it as a rest space. ``We kept the atmosphere as much as possible, but we updated the parts that were new,'' says Hyogo.

On the 16th and 17th, a pre-opening was announced to the three neighborhood associations on a bulletin board, and 264 people used the facility. The town chairman was most pleased with the revival and supported it. Mr. Hyogo expressed his enthusiasm, saying, ``I want to continue this business for a long time as a public bath that is loved by the community.''

Business hours are from 9:00 to 21:00. Admission fees are 370 yen for adults, 150 yen for junior high school students, and 100 yen for elementary school students (free if accompanied by a guardian). Closed on the 1st and 15th of every month (closed on the next day if it falls on a Sunday or holiday).