The Kin-no-yu（金の湯）opened in 2002. (photo: Dec.2003)Kobe City decided to open the two famous public baths of Arima Onsen, Kin-no-yu and Gin-no-yu free of charge from June 1 to June 5 2009. This is a part of revitalization plan of Arima Onsen.
Visitors to Arima Onsen in Kobe City, Hyogo Pref. are decreasing sharply as the number of swine flu patients in Kobe City reached more than one hundred. About twenty thousand people cancelled reservations of ryokans and hotels, the loss of Arima Onsen is estimated more than four hundred million yen. The swine flu patients in Kobe City and around area has already turned decreasing.
[Update] Kin-no-yu and Gin-no-yu will be free of charge again for one month from July 17 to August 16, 2009.
Ashiyu (foot bath) outside of the Kin-no-yu is free anyday.
Hope the onsen business is recovering soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Japanese people tend to over-react, but press report on swine flu is decreasing. I think people will gradually return to Arima Onsen.
ReplyDeletei have been to and enjoyed the "foot bath" in Arima... pre-Swine Flu. actually i was in Osaka for GW and thru the 19th of May. because of the Swine Flu, the wonderful Kobe Matsuri was cancelled among many other events. hopefully all is returning back to normal. and hopefully i will be back next year for the Kobe Matsuri and perhaps another visit to Arima.
ReplyDeletehow was China?
Hi Tonykaku-san,
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity that the Kobe Matsuri was cancelled. But I am sure Kobe is getting back to normal. Come again.
As for China, this was my first visit to Beijing. I think Shanghai is more suitable for me. I feel more energy there.