The oil price surge triggered by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is impacting industries globally, with Japan's public bathhouses and hot springs among the hardest hit. Rising fuel costs are forcing some establishments to suspend operations.
According to The Asahi Shimbun, Japanese bathhouses traditionally rely on heavy oil to heat boilers for hot water. However, the sharp increase in oil prices—from 100 yen to 130 yen per kilogram—has made operations unsustainable.
The owner of a bathhouse in Aomori Prefecture revealed that weekly price hikes for heavy oil have made it impossible to continue business. Despite running the bathhouse for over half a century, the owner has decided to close.
In Shizuoka Prefecture, bathhouses are also struggling. Local regulations cap price increases for neighborhood bathhouses at 520 yen per visit, yet the current charge of 500 yen is insufficient to cover operating costs. One of the owners explained that prices would need to rise to 650 yen to remain profitable, leaving the business in a precarious position.
The hot spring industry is similarly affected. At a hot spring resort in Hyogo Prefecture, heavy oil is essential for daily operations. The owner of the company stated that while price increases are manageable, the real challenge lies in the supply shortage. Facing uncertainty over future supplies, he has decided to suspend operations temporarily starting March 28.
The owner has asked suppliers to send whatever oil is available but sees no signs of recovery in the near term.
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