September 9th is Hot Spring Day in 2024. 1st announcement of the 2024 “Survey on the actual situation of hot springs”. Is it correct to wash your body after entering a hot spring? Be careful depending on the quality of the hot springs.
*Yuko Yuko Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 4, 2024
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September 9th is Hot Spring Day in 2024. 1st announcement of the 2024 “Survey on the actual situation of hot springs”. Is it correct to wash your body after entering a hot spring? Be careful depending on the quality of the hot springs.
*About 40% of people answered that they do not take a bath*
Yukoyuko Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Tokuda) provides telephone reservation services for hot spring inns and senior marketing support businesses.
Following on from last year, Wakako (hereinafter referred to as our company) conducted the “2024 Detailed Survey on the Current Situation of Hot Springs”. This survey has been conducted since 2023 to clarify the actual situation, such as what ordinary people think about hot springs and hot spring inns, and what habits they have. .
Furthermore, based on the survey results, we will also introduce commentary on the latest trends in the hot springs, hot spring inns, and travel industry by aviation and travel analyst Takataro Toriumi, who has appeared in many media outlets.
*”Arigaiyu” here refers to washing your body with hot water that does not contain hot spring ingredients, such as a shower or tap water, before leaving the bathroom.
* [Summary of survey results from a detailed survey of hot spring conditions] * 1. The seasons that make people want to go to hot springs are 1st place: “Winter (44.0%)”, 2nd place: “Autumn (21.4%)”, and 3rd place: “Spring/Summer (both 2.3%)”. On the other hand, 30.1% of respondents answered that they were not particularly particular about the season.
2. When asked about the top three things they look for in a hot spring, 1st place was “Healing (79.6%)”, 2nd place was “Refreshment (64.3%)”, and 3rd place was “Refreshment (64.3%)”.
The result was “healthy” (31.4%). (Multiple selection of top 3) 3. After taking a hot spring bath, 58.3% of the respondents said they would take a hot bath*, while 41.7% of the respondents said they would not. (The text explains how to take a hot spring bath recommended by a hot spring sommelier)
4. When asked, “Which do you prefer to take first, the open-air bath or the indoor bath?” 48.3% said they would take the open-air bath first, and 51.2% said they would take the indoor bath first. 5. When asked what animal they imagine bathing in a hot spring, the overwhelming majority (68.9%) answered “monkey”. Although it was a big difference, “Capybara” also did well with 24.3%.
6. The top 3 most important points when choosing a hot spring inn are 1st place: “Access” (41.0%), 2nd place: “Price (37.1%)”, and 3rd place: “Food (34.9%)”. (Multiple selection of top 3)
In this survey, we clarified the points that ordinary people pay attention to when visiting hot springs and hot spring inns, their bathing preferences and habits, and other points that they do not pay attention to in their daily lives. Next time you visit a hot spring, we hope you will utilize the knowledge of a “hot spring inn
professional” to make your stay more comfortable. As a “hot spring inn professional”, we will connect the diverse charms of hot springs and hot spring inns all over the country with the needs of our customers, work closely with everyone, and work to further spread the appeal of hot springs.
[Survey overview]
Survey name: Detailed survey on the actual situation of hot springs, Part 1 (2024)
Survey method: Internet survey
Survey period: July 12, 2024 (Friday) to July 15, 2024 (Monday) Survey target: 1,500 men and women in their 20s to 60s who answered that they like hot springs.
Research entity: Yuko Yuko Co., Ltd.
* ■When is the season when you want to go to a hot spring the most? (SA)*
As the summer heat subsides and the transition to a cooler season, many people may want to go to a hot spring. When asked, “What season do you most want to go to a hot spring?”, 44.0% said “winter,” 21.4% said “autumn,” and 2.3% each said “spring” and “summer.” .
Additionally, 30.1% of respondents answered that they had no particular preference for seasons.
When is the season when you want to go to a hot spring the most? * ■What do you look for in a hot spring? Please tell me the top three. (MA)* In response to the question, “What do you look for in a hot spring? Please tell me the top three.”
The results were “healing (79.6%)”, 2nd place “refreshment (64.3%)”, and 3rd place “health (31.4%)”.
It seems that many people visit hot springs to relieve the stress and fatigue of their daily lives, seeking “healing” and “refreshment.” Additionally, a certain number of respondents said they use hot springs to maintain or improve their health.
What do you look for in a hot spring?
Mr. Takataro Toriumi
Modern people feel tired in a variety of situations, including work, housework, and interpersonal relationships. In recent years, however, there has been a growing sense of people enjoying hot spring trips casually, not as an “extraordinary” experience, but as a means of refreshing themselves as an extension of daily life. Therefore, there is a strong need to casually soak in a hot spring, enjoy delicious food, relax without thinking about anything, and be healed. Given these needs, future trends are likely to place more emphasis on a sense of privacy. For example, we expect that attention will continue to increase for accommodations where you can enjoy your own space, such as rooms with private baths that allow you to take a bath without meeting other people, and small-scale accommodations with few rooms and a limited number of guests. will be done.
* ■Do you take a “warm bath” after taking a hot spring bath? (SA)* To the question “Do you take a bath after bathing in a hot spring?”, 58.3% answered “Yes” and 41.7% answered “No”.
This is the result. Those who “do” said, “I’m concerned about bacteria and dirt (a woman in her 30s)” and “I don’t want to leave hot spring ingredients on my body (a woman in her 60s).”
While some people say that they want to reset their skin as a final step, those who say “I don’t” say, “I don’t feel the need (a man in his 20s),” “I want to keep the hot spring ingredients intact (a woman in her 40s),” and “It’s not my habit.” (Male in his 50s)”
Do you take a “Agariyu” after taking a hot spring bath?
Yuko Yuko Public Relations Takano (hot spring sommelier)
As a hot spring sommelier, I recommend taking a “Agariyu”. This is because depending on the quality of the spring water, if the ingredients remain, they may have a negative effect on your skin and hair. Especially from hot springs that are highly stimulating, such as acidic or sulfur springs, it is better to completely rinse off with hot water that does not contain hot spring ingredients. On the other hand, if the hot springs are not irritating and have a pleasant texture, you can take a bath with the hot spring water. If you have a spout with hot spring water coming out of it, draw a bucket of fresh hot spring water, soak a towel in it, and dry your body with the towel. The hot spring film that adheres to the skin can be maintained, and the effect of the hot spring ingredients permeating through the skin continues for about 3 hours after bathing. After checking the hot spring ingredients, please try this “hot spring sommelier style hot spring”.
* ■Which do you enter first, the open-air bath or the indoor bath? (SA)*
When asked, “When taking a hot spring, which do you take first, the open-air bath or the indoor bath?”, 48.8% said they prefer the open-air bath, and 51.2% said they prefer the indoor bath, almost splitting the total in half. This is the result. Those who prefer open-air baths want to enjoy nature and the spaciousness of an open-air bath first, saying, “I can enjoy the seasonal scenery (female in her 20s)” and “I want to immerse myself in the sense of openness (male in my 60s).” was seen. On the other hand, those who prefer indoor baths said things like, “I want to warm up my body first (a man in his 20s)” and “It’s a routine thing (a woman in her 30s).”
Which do you enter first, the open-air bath or the indoor bath?
Yuko Yuko Public Relations Takano (hot spring sommelier)
It depends on the season and temperature, but if possible, it is better to take an “indoor bath” first. If you suddenly take a hot bath after your body has cooled down from exposure to the outside air, your blood pressure will rise rapidly, putting you at risk for stroke or myocardial infarction. We recommend warming up your body in the indoor bath first, and then taking an open-air bath.
■* Please tell us which animal you imagine bathing in a hot spring. (SA)*
When you hear about animals that are associated with bathing in hot springs, what is the first animal that comes to your mind? The answers to the question “Please tell me which animal you imagine bathing in a hot spring” were: “Monkey (68.9%)”, “Capybara (24.3%)”, “Raccoon dog (2.2%)”, “Dog ( 1.5%)”, “Bear (0.9%)”, “Deer (0.6%), Fox (0.6%)”, and “Other (0.9%)”. Monkeys, who are most commonly associated with bathing in hot springs, are often featured in the media and tourist guidebooks as they bathe in hot springs amid snowy landscapes, and many people may be left with an impression of them. . Capybaras have been attracting a lot of attention in recent years, as zoos sometimes hold hot spring bathing events during the winter.
Please tell us which animal you imagine bathing in a hot spring.
* ■What are the top three points you focus on when choosing a hot spring inn? (MA)*
Regarding the question regarding “points to consider when choosing a hot spring inn,” 1st place was “access (41.0%)” and 2nd place was “price (37.1%).”
”, and 3rd place was “Cooking (34.9%)”.
What are the top three points you consider important when choosing a hot spring inn?
Mr. Takataro Toriumi
Generally speaking, hot spring trips tend to be short stays of one or two nights, and people tend not to want to spend too much time traveling. Therefore, ease of access is of paramount importance, and lodgings that are close to the station or that have shuttle service are popular. This is especially true for seniors and those who cannot drive. In addition, many people choose to stay at a hot spring inn as a purpose of their trip, so the facilities and services are also important points when choosing an inn. It is thought that these needs are the reason why the quality of the food and the availability of open-air baths are high on the list.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, as hot springs have become enjoyed as an extension of everyday life rather than something extraordinary, there is a tendency to choose accommodations that are cost-effective. In the past, luxury inns were popular, and everyone wanted to stay there at least once, but in recent years, reasonably priced inns where you can stay as soon as you feel like it have become increasingly popular.
* Mr. Kotaro Toriumi*
Aviation/travel analyst, part-time lecturer at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Teikyo University, and part-time director of Mitsuwa Sekiyu Co., Ltd. (Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture). He has been featured in numerous media outlets covering domestic and international travel trends.
*Arisa Takano*
Yuko Yuko Public Relations Co., Ltd. Qualified as a hot spring sommelier. After editing the accommodation information magazine “Yuko Yuko” and working in area sales for Niigata and Nagano prefectures, he has been engaged in public relations since 2020. My favorite hot spring is Shirahone Onsen (Nagano Prefecture), where the milky white water evokes a hot spring atmosphere.
* ■About Yuko Yuko Co., Ltd. *
Our company conducts business based on the management philosophy of “Enjoying every day for adults” and the code of conduct of “Let’s have good conversations.” We aim to continue to deliver the joy of spending time.
The main feature of our main business, the accommodation reservation service “Yuko Yuko,” is a hybrid of analog and digital technology. Since 80% of our customers are over 50, we regularly deliver the accommodation information magazine “Yuko Yuko” to their homes, and together with the accommodation reservation site “Yuko Yuko Net”, we provide accommodation information both in print and on the web. Masu. In addition, we accept reservations both online and by phone, depending on the convenience of our customers, making this service a popular choice among seniors.
The information and accommodation plans for the hot spring resorts listed are prepared by our sales representatives who have actually visited the locations. In addition, we use detailed information such as whether there are elevators in the building or whether there are any steps, and we help customers find a place to stay with the kind of support that can only be achieved by making reservations over the phone.
Yuko Yuko is the company with the largest number of hot spring sommelier qualifications in Japan. (As of August 2024)
* ■What is Yuko Yuko Co., Ltd. hot spring inn telephone reservation service? *
The “telephone reservation service” operated by “Yuko Yuko” is a hot spring inn reservation agency service run by an operator called “Yuko Navi.” If you have specific requirements, please contact the inn directly and make your reservation with confidence. Additionally, even if you have not yet decided on the accommodation you would like to stay in, we will listen to your needs and assist you in finding accommodation. Yuko Yuko has approximately 8.8 million members nationwide. We provide information on great deals on accommodations on weekdays. This service is popular among people who are concerned about online reservations.
* ■Company profile *
Company name: Yuko Yuko Co., Ltd.
Representative: Wakako Tokuda, Representative Director and President Address: Ginza Namiki-dori Building, 2-3-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Founded: January 2000
Business: Travel business: Arranged travel for lodging in Japan (Tourism Agency Director-General Registered Travel Business No. 1736), Contact center business, advertising sales business, paid employment placement business
URL: https://www.yukoyuko.co.jp/