Temporary hot spring bath service opens in water-cut Suzu City

Residents of Suzu, a city in Ishikawa Prefecture that has been without water since the New Year's Day earthquake, can now wash and unwind in restorative hot spring water in a set of temporary baths donated by a city far across the country.

The equipment comes from Beppu City in Oita Prefecture, famous for its hot springs, and the water is a donation from Wakura Onsen, a hot spring resort near Nanao City in Ishikawa.

The baths are located near Iida High School.

The free bath service, situated near Iida High School, opened on February 23 and runs through March 7, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Numbered tickets are available from 10:50 a.m. The service can accommodate up to 240 people per day.

Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., use of the baths is reserved for the elderly and people with special needs. The baths will be closed on March 1 for cleaning and maintenance.

Beppy City official Goto Hirokazu said he hoped the service would restore the spirits of tired and stressed-out Suzu residents.