A winter tradition in Izu, the capybara open-air bath at Izu Shaboten Zoo will be held again this year from November 19 until April 2, 2023. During the event period, guests can watch the adorable capybaras as they enjoy a hot bath once a day at 1:30 PM on weekdays and twice a day at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM on weekends and holidays. 

This season marks the 40th anniversary of the popular event, though it all began as a happy accident. In 1982, an employee cleaning the enclosure with hot water noticed that the capybaras were huddling together in a warm puddle. Since then, each year, employees prepare a warm bath for the animals during winter and early spring. 

During the event period, in addition to the standard open-air baths, the water will be decorated with unique items depending on the season, from yuzu to rose petals.

40th-anniversary goods will available at the Animal Mart Gift Shop at the zoo, as well as the official Izu Shaboten Zoo online store. 

For more information about the event’s schedule, visit the official website.

From November 11, 2022 until August 2023, Izu Granpal Park in Shizuoka Prefecture will host the 8th Izu Kogen Grand Illumination event!

The Izu Kogen Grand Illumination was ranked #1 in the Walker+National Illumination Ranking for six consecutive years and is beloved by visitors of all ages. This isn’t just a collection of pretty lights–the Grand Illumination also includes a number of hands-on experiences for everyone to enjoy.

In 2021, the event won first place in the Ninth Illumination Awards for the second year in a row. Known as Japan’s first ‘hands-on illumination experience,’ the park has continued to evolve year after year, adding more attractions and finding its unique style. These attractions include a zip line through the lights, Dinosaur Go-Karts, and more.

This year, the Flower Lantern Area and Sweets Lantern Area have been completely redesigned and upgraded to be even more three-dimensional and colorful. Come enjoy this incredible world of lights and have some fun with the whole family!

From August 18 until September 19, 20 Gokurakuyu and Raku Spa locations will hold a special collaboration to celebrate the release of ONE PIECE FILM RED. 

Goods

Menu

During the event, a new bath will be available each weekend. Guests can enjoy fragrant baths inspired by Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Shanks, and Uta. Check the website to see which baths will be available at which locations!

Those visiting can find some new merchandise featuring exclusive illustrations made for the campaign and a tasty menu inspired by One Piece characters, so don’t miss it!

JR Tokai Tours has released a new travel plan for fans of Laid-Back Camp Season 2, which aired from January to March 2021. The tour will take place in the Izu area, which was heavily featured in episodes 10, 11, and 12. Guests can enjoy a travel plan with single lodging and original goods starting May 23 until June 29, 2022.

Original Stickers

The slice-of-life series Laid-Back Camp is currently serialized in COMIC FUZ.

Set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Laid-Back Camp is a relaxing series following a group of high school girls going camping and enjoying their daily lives. The series is based on the author Afro’s personal experiences and interviews, and since serialization in 2015, the series has attracted fans from around the world. The original comic has sold over 7 million copies. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021.

Four years after it was announced in 2018, a Laid-Back Camp animated film will arrive in theaters this summer.

Hololive has announced a special collaboration between HoloFantasy and Raku Spa, with special merchandise and VTuber-scented baths at participating locations around Japan!

Merchandise

Collaboration Menu (Coasters Available!)

Photo Spot

Guests can grab original merchandise with newly-drawn illustrations during the event period, and original food and beverages based on the five members will be on sale. Five unique baths have been prepared by the Hololive members, as each girl chose her favorite scent. The announcements in each location will also be broadcast by the popular VTubers.

Starting February 6, called Bath Day in Japan, specially-drawn yukata and chibi versions of the characters will be available on limited-edition postcards and new merchandise. To get one of these postcards, visitors will need to follow the official Raku Spa Twitter, retweet the campaign Tweet, and present it at the reception desk at their Raku Spa of choice. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to grab them before they’re all gone!

Shizuoka Prefefcture is once again collaborating with popular anime series Laid-Back Camp for a special stamp rally. Two courses will be open from January 21 until March 21, 2022, and will take guests on a journey throughout the most gorgeous localities in the region.

This stamp rally is the third in a series of Laid-Back Camp and Shizuoka Prefecture stamp rallys held since November 2021. 

Those who finish the rally will be presented with a special clear folder featuring an exclusive illustration made for this event, so get traveling! 

(C) あfろ・芳文社／野外活動委員会

‘NEXT TRIP ~Izu Peninsula, Sea and Beautiful Sights~’ will be broadcast on nationwide freeview channel BS12 on September 9 2021 from 21:00.

‘NEXT TRIP’ is a travel guide program based around the concept of “where would you like to visit once things calm down?” From walking around popular local spots to visiting overseas holiday resorts, the show introduces viewers to “destinations you don’t know yet.” The show has a sense of realism, with beautiful scenes that will make you feel as if you’re already there! Introducing spectacular views that can only be found in certain towns, gourmet foods that are beloved by locals, and exciting outdoor activities, you’ll be raring to go on your next adventure! 

In this episode, model NANAMI will be having fun at the seaside on the Izu Peninsula. You’ll be amazed by the view from the suspension bridge in Komuroyama’s Jōgasaki coast, where you can see the horizon beyond the hills and crystal clear sea, stretching as far as the eye can see. NANAMI goes snorkelling in a hot-spot to those in the know, followed by a delicious lunch with locally produced white wine. After enjoying some horseback riding, she returns to the HOSHINO Resort’s ‘Kai Anjin’ hot spring and inn,  located in Ito. You’ll be fascinated by the extraordinary location, offering scenic ocean views, hot beer, and luxurious dinners. 

The show recreates a three-day-two-night itinerary for the Izu Peninsula, where you can partake in activities, take in the superb views, and relish in gourmet food, all found in a spot just a few hours away from the city center.

Join NANAMI as she goes on a journey to discover the charms of the Izu Peninsula on BS12’s ‘NEXT TRIP.’

Tripadvisor® has posted its list for this year’s most popular hot springs and spas in Japan for day trips as ranked by its users over the past year.

This is the 9th run of this particular list, which is normally announced each winter, but due to the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, travellers have been looking to find somewhere to relax, and so the website decided to release the list earlier this time. Tripadvisor® also ranked the best hot spring regions as well as foot baths.

This year’s list has a diverse line-up of locations, from huge new facilities to old ones with history. Half of the places in the list are situated in the Kanto region of Japan—more than the previous lists. Those in the ranking are listed not only for the hot springs, but for the services on offer like massage, dining, rest, and more, all of which adds to them being great for day trips.

Hot Springs & Spas Popular With Japanese People For Day Trips – 2020 Edition

1st Place: Busshozan Onsen (Takamatsu, Kagawa)
2nd Place: Miharashi no Yu (Hashijo-machi, Tokyo)
3rd Place: Hōheikyō Hot Spring (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
4th Place: Shika no Yu (Nasu, Tochigi)
5th Place: Tenzan Tohji-kyo (Hakone-machi, Kanagawa)
6th Place: Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu (Karuizawa, Nagano)
7th Place: Lamune Onsen (Taketa, Oita)
8th Place: Spadium Japon (Higashikurume, Tokyo)
9th Place: Maenohara Onsen Sayano Yudokoro (Itabashi, Tokyo)
10th Place: Miyazawako Onsen Kirari Bettei (Hanno, Saitama)
https://tg.tripadvisor.jp/news/ranking/best-public-bathes/

8th Place: Spadium Japon (Higashikurume, Tokyo)

Spadium Japon is a large-scale public bath facility with 15 different types of baths and saunas. It has transparent onsen, which is rare in the Kanto region, and the water is known for its sodium salt. Tripadvisor® users praise the facility for offering all-day services and how big it is, likening it to a theme park.

Special Mentions

Tripadvisor® also listed some special mentions of popular hot spring “chiku,” or districts, where you can walk around and try out lots of different types of hot springs, as well as foot baths. The foot baths in Oita Airport and Kagoshima Airport are free to use, making them a great way to kill some time while waiting for departure.

Top 5 Hot Spring Chiku Popular With Japanese People

1st Place: Kinosaki Onsen (Toyooka, Hyogo)
2nd Place: Yu no Mine Onsen (Tanabe, Wakayama)
3rd Place: Kurokawa Onsen (Minamioguni, Kumamoto)
4th Place: Ginzan Onsen (Obanazawa, Yamagata)
5th Place Gero Onsen (Gero, Gifu)

Top 3 Foot Baths Popular With Japanese People

1st Place: Oita Airport Foot Bath (Kunisaki, Oita)
2nd Place: Lake Kussharo Sunayu (Teshikaga, Hokkaido)
3rd Place: Kagoshima Airport Foot Bath (Kirishima, Kagoshima)

BIO RESORT HOTEL & SPA O Park OGOSE, a hotel resort in Iruma, Saitama, is opening a new accommodation facility on March 12, 2020 called the “Sauna Suite Cabin.”

This single-building cabin brings to mind a sauna cabin of Northern Europe. The entire interior is decked out in beautiful warm wood. It’s roomy and fully equipped with furniture, a Finnish-style private sauna, jaccuzi, stove, and other bits.

Guests can enjoy a contrast bath experience with the sauna and open-air bath, as well as entertain themselves with a glamping-style dinner in the spacious outdoor dining area.

To make the Sauna Suite Cabin’s atmosphere even more enjoyable, O Park OGOSE teamed up with Finland’s oldest textile brand, Finlayson, which turned 200-years-old this year, to bring in some of their elephant design furniture and products, including bed linen, towels, and more. Their “ELEFANTTI” line-up is popular even in Japan.

In the bedroom drawers, their are even ELEFANTTI notebooks and letter sets which guests are free to take and use.

If you’re looking for a private sauna experience away from the busy city while in Japan, then be sure to check out the new Sauna Suite Cabin at BIO-RESORT HOTEL & SPA O Park OGOSE.

Strawberry Shop Izunokuni Shizuoka Michi-no-Eki Izu no Heso ichigo BonBonBerry Izunokuni factory will be celebrating “ii ichigo no hi” (Good Strawberry Day) on January 15 by releasing new strawberry purin desserts which are full of strawberry goodness. 

Committed to increasing love for strawberries, Michi-no-Eki Izu no Heso Ichigo BonbonBERRY Izunokuni factory sells a wide range of delicious strawberry-based foods as well as cute merchandise throughout the year. For example, strawberry-themed merchandise, jams, seasoning containing strawberries, desserts and much more. 

Strawberry Parfaits

Toge Toge Bonbon: ¥1800 (After Tax)

The Toge Toge Bonbon parfait is full of impact and full of strawberries. The glass is filled with homemade no-bake cheesecake, milk purin, homemade strawberry jam and much more. As strawberries are currently in season, the parfait currently enjoys a sweeter flavour. The fruitiness balances out with the mildness of the cheesecake and leaves a refreshing aftertaste.

Mix and Enjoy – Strawberry Pouch Pudding

Strawberry Pouch Pudding: ¥650 (After Tax)

A smooth strawberry purin is layered with slices of strawberry and fluffy whipped cream. The adorable purin pouch is packed with dried, crispy strawberry granola mix. Mix up the granola to enjoy a range of different textures. This can also be enjoyed on the go. 

As strawberries are in season, this is the perfect time to treat yourself to one of Japan’s sweet and beautiful strawberry desserts.

Higashi-Izu Machi Kanko Kyokai tourism association is holding their 17th evening firefly-watching event to be held in a local hot spring village of Higashi-Izu. The Higashi-Izu Machi Onsenkyo Hotaru Kansho no Sakuya” will be held from Sunday 2nd to Tuesday 11th June. Free yourself from everyday life and watch the night light up as a mystical scenery filled with fireflies descends upon you. This experience will take your body and mind to a whole new world!

The event will be held at the natural Okawa Takegasa Koen; a park which is listed to have one of Shizuoka’s 100 top waterfronts. You can feel the seasons changing here, and during June, you can see a clear stream of fireflies dancing. The warm colours of their glow will put you at ease for hours.  

Numerous other events will take place alongside the firefly-watching event, such as the “Chochin walk” where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll at night with a warmly lit paper lantern. You can also stop by the “firefly town” (Hotaru-shi) where you can browse lots of local goods during the night market, or take part in the “otanoshimi chusen kai” lucky lottery where many prizes can be won. Shizuoka DC has also planned a special prize-giving program, where visitors who arrive at the park in a Yutaka (summer kimono) on a weekday of the event will be given a small gift!

Enjoy a mystical and extraordinary night of nature at Higashi-Izu. This is your chance to relax under the light of fireflies and explore the numerous shops at the firefly town!

YU, THE SPA is a new spa being developed by L’OCCITANE that will open in the sophisticated Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo on October 1, 2018.

Spa L’OCCITANE is one style of spa run by French skin care and body product company L’OCCITANE. As of July 2018 they have 70 establishments worldwide and are found only in 5 Star hotels.

YU, THE SPA offers two kinds of facial treatments, two hotel treatments and an original treatment limited to Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. Pick your favourite treatment from the menu and enjoy the experience in a comfortable and tranquil environment.

They will offer a 150 minute facial and body care treatment service called “Garden Secret Signature Treatment” which can only be experienced at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. The service makes use of different body care items used themed around spring, summer, autumn and winter to offer customers Japanese omotenashi, or hospitality, which revolves around the seasons. March to May will be cherry blossoms and June to August will be verbena.

Before getting your treatment done you can warm up your body in the hot springs, and after you’ve received your treatment you can enjoy tea time in the lounge.

The spa will be taking bookings at the start of October for a 60-minute body treatment with a stay plan which will be effective from November 15.

Indulge in a luxurious experience at YU, THE SPA by L’OCCITANE.