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NEWS
Hot springs-filled roller coasters could become reality as Japanese ‘Spa-musement park’ video goes viral
POSTED 25 Nov 2016 . BY Jane Kitchen
A spokesman for the Buppa tourist department said the city is discussing safety issues, such whether they could run hot water inside a roller coaster
A combination spa and amusement park may become reality, thanks to a tongue-in-cheek video from the Japanese city of Beppu – famous for its more than 2,000 onsen, or hot springs.

The video, which has received almost 1.4 million views as of this writing, shows guests sitting waist deep in hot springs-filled roller coasters, cable cars and Ferris wheels, and walking through the park clad only in towels.



Beppu’s mayor, Yasuhiro Nagano, promised to make the ‘spa-musement park’ a reality if the video got 1 million views, which it surpassed yesterday.

“We weren’t expecting this many views, but we sure are happy,” Michitaka Kubota, a spokesman for Beppu’s tourist department, told The Japan Times.

Kubota did acknowledge that the ‘spa-musement park’ would probably not appear quite as it’s shown in the video.

“It’s only an image,” Kubota told The Japan Times. “We are still discussing safety issues, for example, whether we could actually run hot water inside a roller coaster. But the rides will be something fun.”
RELATED STORIES
  Japanese Tourism Agency asks spa operators to accept tattooed visitors


The Japan Tourism Agency is asking Japanese spa operators to allow foreign tourists with tattoos into onsens, according to a report in The Japan Times.
  Bain Capital looks to Japanese onsens for growth potential


In February 2015, private investment firm Bain Capital Partners (BCP) bought a 100 per cent stake in Japanese hot springs and hotel operator Ooedo Onsens Holdings, in a move to capitalise on tourism ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
  Japanese onsen operator to be bought by US private equity firm ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020


Japanese hotel and spa operator Ooedo-Onsen Holdings is being bought by US private equity firm Bain Capital Partners in a bid to capitalise on tourism ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
MORE NEWS
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029.
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa.
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Hot springs-filled roller coasters could become reality as Japanese ‘Spa-musement park’ video goes viral
POSTED 25 Nov 2016 . BY Jane Kitchen
A spokesman for the Buppa tourist department said the city is discussing safety issues, such whether they could run hot water inside a roller coaster
A combination spa and amusement park may become reality, thanks to a tongue-in-cheek video from the Japanese city of Beppu – famous for its more than 2,000 onsen, or hot springs.

The video, which has received almost 1.4 million views as of this writing, shows guests sitting waist deep in hot springs-filled roller coasters, cable cars and Ferris wheels, and walking through the park clad only in towels.



Beppu’s mayor, Yasuhiro Nagano, promised to make the ‘spa-musement park’ a reality if the video got 1 million views, which it surpassed yesterday.

“We weren’t expecting this many views, but we sure are happy,” Michitaka Kubota, a spokesman for Beppu’s tourist department, told The Japan Times.

Kubota did acknowledge that the ‘spa-musement park’ would probably not appear quite as it’s shown in the video.

“It’s only an image,” Kubota told The Japan Times. “We are still discussing safety issues, for example, whether we could actually run hot water inside a roller coaster. But the rides will be something fun.”
RELATED STORIES
Japanese Tourism Agency asks spa operators to accept tattooed visitors


The Japan Tourism Agency is asking Japanese spa operators to allow foreign tourists with tattoos into onsens, according to a report in The Japan Times.
Bain Capital looks to Japanese onsens for growth potential


In February 2015, private investment firm Bain Capital Partners (BCP) bought a 100 per cent stake in Japanese hot springs and hotel operator Ooedo Onsens Holdings, in a move to capitalise on tourism ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Japanese onsen operator to be bought by US private equity firm ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020


Japanese hotel and spa operator Ooedo-Onsen Holdings is being bought by US private equity firm Bain Capital Partners in a bid to capitalise on tourism ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
MORE NEWS
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029.
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa.
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
Tulah Clinical Wellness, a holistic wellness destination, has officially opened in the hills of northern Kerala, India.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]

Aquaform is designing water as an experience
In the world of spa design, reducing water to a functional component misses the point. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
International SPA Association

Since 1991, the International SPA Association has been recognised worldwide as the professional orga [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS