Famous Japanese Hot Spring That Changed Water Only Twice a Year Finally Raided

Famous Japanese Hot Spring Overrun with Legionella Bacteria
"Apologizes for Foolish Mistake Causing Trouble"

Local police have launched an investigation into a lodging facility in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, that sparked controversy for changing the water in its hot spring bath only twice in a year.

According to NHK News and others on the 10th, the Fukuoka Prefecture Police conducted a surprise raid on the famous ryokan "Daimaru Villa," located at Futsukaichi Onsen in Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture. This followed the Fukuoka Prefectural authorities filing a complaint with the police against Daimaru Villa and its owner, President Makoto Yamada, on the 8th.

[Image source= Daimaru homepage]

Daimaru Villa is accused of violating the Public Bathhouse Act by changing the hot spring water only twice a year and submitting false hygiene reports to authorities.

According to local regulations, hot spring water used daily must be completely replaced at least once a week, and chlorine concentration must be maintained at 0.4 mg or higher per liter. However, the villa reportedly changed the water only twice in a year and neglected chlorine disinfection.

In particular, the villa's hot spring bath tested positive for Legionella bacteria at more than twice the standard level during a health center inspection in August last year. Legionella bacteria are a type of bacteria that cause pneumonia. They are especially dangerous to the elderly and those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.

The owner claimed that water replacement and chlorine injection were properly conducted, but subsequent retests revealed Legionella bacteria levels up to 3,700 times the standard, disproving these claims.

Yamada Makoto, president of the hot spring inn 'Daimaru Villa' located in Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, held a press conference in Fukuoka City on the 28th of last month to apologize for replacing the hot spring water only twice a year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yamada held a press conference on the 28th of last month, saying, "I apologize for causing trouble due to my foolish thinking." He added, "Around December 2019, I told employees that since there were few guests, it was okay not to change the hot spring water in the bath," and stated, "I will step down once the issue is somewhat resolved."

However, he did not show genuine remorse at the time, which sparked further controversy. Regarding the infrequent chlorine disinfection, he explained, "I thought Legionella bacteria were not a serious threat, and I disliked the smell of chlorine," and "Management became lax as the number of guests sharply declined due to COVID-19," which provoked public outrage.

Meanwhile, Daimaru Villa, which opened in 1865, has a history of about 160 years and is known as a popular destination visited by many domestic Japanese as well as foreign tourists, including Koreans.