NIIGATA, Japan — A 110-year-old hot spring resort in northern Japan is looking to heat up visitor numbers that were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, taking steps such as revamping local hotels and linking up with an airline to help lure tourists from around the nation and beyond.
Niigata prefecture’s Tsukioka Onsen was once a popular destination for group tours, with guests tempted by its soothing waters and traditional geisha performances. But the spread of COVID further cooled demand that had already started to dwindle.
