{
  "id": 16171974,
  "title": "Hot spring resort in Japan's Kumamoto Pref. turns to outside dining to ease labor shortages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/hot-spring-resort-in-japans-kumamoto-pref-turns-to-outside-dining-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T10:00:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261023/p2a/00m/0li/036000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kurokawa Onsen, a popular hot spring resort in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, has been struggling with labor shortages and declining population. Originally gaining popularity in the 1960s, the resort declined before experiencing a resurgence with the introduction of a bathing pass that allows visitors to move between hot spring baths. Now, the town is looking to expand its future by adopting new strategies to address the labor shortage.\n\nA two-hour drive from Fukuoka, the resort consists of about 30 inns clustered near Mount Aso. French restaurant Kazane, opened in October, features locally hunted wild boar bacon and 30 varieties of local vegetables. Chef Minami Nakai, who trained at a prestigious Tokyo restaurant, aims to create a new food culture in the region by working closely with local producers.\n\nFive establishments, collectively known as \"Au Kurokawa,\" operate under a unified aesthetic, and their owner Takamichi Otonari, 56, runs a traditional Japanese inn. Otonari, who is also the president of the local tourism association, has come up with the innovative idea of separating lodging from meals, enabling properties to reduce labor burdens and avoid turning away guests due to meal constraints. This approach has already boosted revenue and provided more vacant rooms for guests.\n\nSeparating lodging from meals is a common practice overseas and is likely to attract international tourists. It could also enhance the vibrancy of the hot spring district, as guests have more dining options and can enjoy multinight stays. Furthermore, operating the restaurants as independent establishments allows for the recruitment of skilled chefs from across the country, potentially increasing the town's population. Otonari hopes that stronger bonds between chefs and the local community will promote a new food culture in Kurokawa Onsen, working in tandem with local producers.",
  "summary": "MINAMIOGUNI, Kumamoto -- Kurokawa Onsen in this southwestern Japan town draws more than 1 million visitors a year, but the town's population continues",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SoraNews24",
        "title": "Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/zombies-serve-cocktails-and-pochita-turns-into-parfait-at-universal",
        "published": "2026-10-22T16:00:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}