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Guests took an unusual dip at the hot spring theme park Hakone Yunessun in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, as the spa resort launched a limited annual event last Thursday, including staff pouring French wine in the pools and on the guests, as seen in footage from Monday.
“There are many people in Tokyo who are worried about coronavirus, so at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, we ask visitors to wear masks when they are entering. And at the entrance, we check the temperature with thermography, ask about physical conditions and for disinfection of fingers, and if there is no problem, the visitors can enter,” said spa employee Yuya Sato.
Children and adults alike enjoyed soaking in the wine-filled pools – an experience usually held indoors, which was moved to the resort’s open air facilities due to coronavirus safety measures.
“Since admission was restricted, the number of people was not crowded, so we feel safe to come here,” guest Yukari Kanemura said, while enjoying the views with her children and husband.
At an altitude of around 700 metres (2,300 feet), the open-air bath offers visitors a panoramic view of mountains and nature while staff pours Beaujolais in their hands – or on their heads – three times a day, when they come to refill the pools with the beverage.
The annual event took place from November 19 to 23.
*SOUNDBITES*
SOT, Yuya Sato, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun staff (Japanese): ”To celebrate the ban lifting to drink Beaujolais Nouveau on November 19, as you can see, Yunessun is holding an outdoor view open-air bath changed to the Beaujolais Nouveau bath from 19th to 23rd.”
SOT, Yuya Sato, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun staff (Japanese): ”Normally, this is the bath where you can enjoy the view and nice scenery, but during this period, you can enjoy the scenery while enjoying the scent of Beaujolais Nouveau.”
SOT, Yuya Sato, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun staff (Japanese): ”Every year, the Bojore [Beaujolais] Nouveau bath had been held at our indoor wine bath, but this is the first trial for us in order to prevent a novel coronavirus infection, we do it outdoors and keep the distance amongst visitors. By separating them, you can enjoy the Bojore [Beaujolais] Nouveau bath while taking measures against coronavirus.”
SOT, Yuya Sato, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun staff (Japanese): “Currently, there are many people in Tokyo who are worried about coronavirus, so at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, we ask visitors to wear masks when they are entering. And at the entrance, we check the temperature by thermography, ask about physical condition and ask for disinfection of fingers, and if there is no problem, the visitors can enter. We are making such arrangements as a preventive measure.”
SOT, Jun Mishima, Guest (Japanese): “We’re from Tokyo. I’m happy to be out for the first time in a long time. I wore wine from my head, so it was a lot of fun.”
SOT, Yukiko Umemoto, Guest (Japanese): “It’s been a while since I came on a trip and I enjoyed so much taking a wine bath.”
SOT, Yukari Kanemura, Guest (Japanese): “Since admission was restricted, the number of people was not crowded, so we feel safe to come here.”
SOT, Yukari Kanemura, Guest (Japanese): “The people here isn’t too many and too close, so we can enjoy swimming, and although some of the events are cancelled which is unfortunate, but it is because of the measurement of coronavirus, so that made us feeling safe and able to let the child play with great peace of mind.”
SOT, Yohen Damerau, Guest (German): “Beautiful weather here in Hakone where you can enjoy the view and at the same time take a nice warm bath in wine. Wonderful”
Video ID: 20201124-048
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