First Japanese-style geothermal hot spring spa resort being planned in Russia
Japanese and Russian investors are starting work on the first Japanese-style onsen spa complex in Russia utilising geothermal resources on Sakhalin Island, Russia.
As reported from Russia this week, Russian and Japanese investors are working on the first geothermal hot spring spa resort in Russia.
This would be the first Japanese style onsen spa in Russia and is expected to open in 2019.
The location of the project is interesting as it would be located in Sakhalin island in the North Pacific. The island as well as other islands in the region have been claimed by both Russia and Japan over the course of the past two centuries. Today, Japan no longer claimes any of Sakhalin, but Japan still maintains claims on the South Kuril islands in the region.
The project is planned by Russian company Honoka Sakhalin, together with Japan’s largest onsen operator, Marushin Iwadera. The overall investment is expected to be around $4.7 million.
The bath complex will be built near a ski resort on the island.
The region sees growing interest by tourists. In 2016, around 165,000 people visited Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, of which 90% are Japanese. Only in the first half of the year the visitors to Sakhalin alone have soared to 200,000.
Source: Asia Times