Kitakyushu City: "Kawachi, the Inner Parlor of Kitakyushu" is the Stage! Seeking Operators to Revitalize a Vast 3,000㎡ Facility within a National Park as a Recreation Hub.
Kitakyushu City is publicly recruiting businesses to revitalize the closed public facility "Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu" as a recreation hub in the Kawachi area, which boasts rich nature and history. The city is seeking a wide range of proposals, including hotels and campsites, utilizing the vast grounds and hot spring facilities.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 08:36 (23h 4m after Collected)
In Kawachi, Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, the "Kawachi Reservoir" was constructed approximately 100 years ago as a crucial water source for the government-run Yawata Steel Works. Since then, the surrounding area has flourished as a resort for steelworkers and has long been cherished as the inner parlor of Kitakyushu.
Kitakyushu City is seeking operators to revitalize "Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu," a currently closed municipal facility, as a recreation hub for the Kawachi area, in conjunction with the attractive natural and cultural assets of the surrounding area.
■ The Potential of This Place, Rich in Nature and History
The facility open for public offering boasts excellent access from urban areas (approx. 20 minutes by car from the expressway IC) while maintaining the nature and tranquility unique to a national park.
Surrounding Environment
Kawachi Reservoir
"Iron Story" with 100 Years of History
The "Kawachi Reservoir," with its beautiful stone dam embankment reminiscent of an old European castle, is an active dam celebrating its 100th anniversary next year. The Kawachi area has a 100-year history that prospered with steelmaking.
Kawachi Wisteria Garden
Attractive Nearby Tourist Resources
"Kawachi Wisteria Garden," selected as one of the "31 most beautiful places in the world," and the "Minami Kawachi Bridge," a nationally designated important cultural property spanning the Kawachi Reservoir, are accessible on foot. The entrance to Mt. Sarakura, selected as one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan," is also located nearby.
Cycling
Enjoy the Seasonal Natural Beauty with All Five Senses
In the tranquility preserved as a national park, you can enjoy the rich and changing expressions of nature throughout the year with all five senses: cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring, fireflies in early summer, mountain trekking in summer, autumn leaves, and winter snowscapes.
Kawachi Onsen "Ajisai no Yu"
Comfortable Hot Spring to Heal Mind and Body
The alkaline simple hot spring, with a source temperature of 26.6℃ drawn from 1,100m underground, is expected to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue recovery.
Site Plan
Vast Grounds
Utilizing the vast grounds of approximately 4.2ha, camping and glamping are also possible.
■ Message from Kitakyushu City
Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu opened in November 2000 as a core facility of the "Kawachi Onsen Water and Green Village Development Basic Plan," constructed by the city and operated by a private business under a public-private partnership model, but is currently closed.
Kawachi area, where Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu is located, has attractive natural and cultural assets such as Kawachi Wisteria Garden and Minami Kawachi Bridge, possessing high potential as a tourist resource. In cooperation with these resources, we are seeking operators to utilize this facility again as a recreation hub for the Kawachi area.
■ Outline of Public Offering
【Basic Information of the Facility】
Location
3-36 Kawachi 2-chome, Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu City (within Kitakyushu National Park)
Site Area
Approx. 42,000㎡
Total Floor Area
Approx. 3,000㎡ (Reinforced concrete, 2 stories with 1 basement floor)
Main Facilities
Indoor bath, open-air bath, rest area, dining area, parking (total 280 spaces)
Hot Spring Overview
Source Temperature: 26.6℃ Quality: Alkaline simple hot spring
【Basic Concept for Utilizing This Facility】
Prioritizing the early utilization of this facility as a recreation hub for the Kawachi area, we are soliciting proposals for a wide range of utilization methods, not limited to hot spring facilities, within the scope of relevant laws such as the Natural Parks Act.
Examples: Hot spring facilities, hotels, saunas, restaurants, shops, campsites, glamping, etc.
【Main Public Offering Conditions (Please check Kitakyushu City's website for details)】
Building
Rent: Free
Contract Period: 10 years (renewable once)
*Renovation costs and maintenance costs required for facility use will be borne by the operator.
Land
(Approx. 1.4ha)
Rent: Approx. 2.8 million JPY/year ~ (depending on proposal)
Contract Period: 20 years
【Future Schedule】
~May 20, 2026 (Wed) Hearing opinions on the draft application guidelines
July 2026 (tentative) Start of accepting proposals from operators
December 2026 (tentative) Decision of preferred negotiator
【Supplementary Information on Public Offering】
Currently, opinions on the "Draft Application Guidelines" are being sought prior to the public offering. Please submit your opinions.
URL: Kitakyushu City Official Website
https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/contents/05900166_00005.html
Kitakyushu City is seeking operators to revitalize "Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu," a currently closed municipal facility, as a recreation hub for the Kawachi area, in conjunction with the attractive natural and cultural assets of the surrounding area.
■ The Potential of This Place, Rich in Nature and History
The facility open for public offering boasts excellent access from urban areas (approx. 20 minutes by car from the expressway IC) while maintaining the nature and tranquility unique to a national park.
Surrounding Environment
Kawachi Reservoir
"Iron Story" with 100 Years of History
The "Kawachi Reservoir," with its beautiful stone dam embankment reminiscent of an old European castle, is an active dam celebrating its 100th anniversary next year. The Kawachi area has a 100-year history that prospered with steelmaking.
Kawachi Wisteria Garden
Attractive Nearby Tourist Resources
"Kawachi Wisteria Garden," selected as one of the "31 most beautiful places in the world," and the "Minami Kawachi Bridge," a nationally designated important cultural property spanning the Kawachi Reservoir, are accessible on foot. The entrance to Mt. Sarakura, selected as one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan," is also located nearby.
Cycling
Enjoy the Seasonal Natural Beauty with All Five Senses
In the tranquility preserved as a national park, you can enjoy the rich and changing expressions of nature throughout the year with all five senses: cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring, fireflies in early summer, mountain trekking in summer, autumn leaves, and winter snowscapes.
Kawachi Onsen "Ajisai no Yu"
Comfortable Hot Spring to Heal Mind and Body
The alkaline simple hot spring, with a source temperature of 26.6℃ drawn from 1,100m underground, is expected to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue recovery.
Site Plan
Vast Grounds
Utilizing the vast grounds of approximately 4.2ha, camping and glamping are also possible.
■ Message from Kitakyushu City
Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu opened in November 2000 as a core facility of the "Kawachi Onsen Water and Green Village Development Basic Plan," constructed by the city and operated by a private business under a public-private partnership model, but is currently closed.
Kawachi area, where Kawachi Onsen Ajisai no Yu is located, has attractive natural and cultural assets such as Kawachi Wisteria Garden and Minami Kawachi Bridge, possessing high potential as a tourist resource. In cooperation with these resources, we are seeking operators to utilize this facility again as a recreation hub for the Kawachi area.
■ Outline of Public Offering
【Basic Information of the Facility】
Location
3-36 Kawachi 2-chome, Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu City (within Kitakyushu National Park)
Site Area
Approx. 42,000㎡
Total Floor Area
Approx. 3,000㎡ (Reinforced concrete, 2 stories with 1 basement floor)
Main Facilities
Indoor bath, open-air bath, rest area, dining area, parking (total 280 spaces)
Hot Spring Overview
Source Temperature: 26.6℃ Quality: Alkaline simple hot spring
【Basic Concept for Utilizing This Facility】
Prioritizing the early utilization of this facility as a recreation hub for the Kawachi area, we are soliciting proposals for a wide range of utilization methods, not limited to hot spring facilities, within the scope of relevant laws such as the Natural Parks Act.
Examples: Hot spring facilities, hotels, saunas, restaurants, shops, campsites, glamping, etc.
【Main Public Offering Conditions (Please check Kitakyushu City's website for details)】
Building
Rent: Free
Contract Period: 10 years (renewable once)
*Renovation costs and maintenance costs required for facility use will be borne by the operator.
Land
(Approx. 1.4ha)
Rent: Approx. 2.8 million JPY/year ~ (depending on proposal)
Contract Period: 20 years
【Future Schedule】
~May 20, 2026 (Wed) Hearing opinions on the draft application guidelines
July 2026 (tentative) Start of accepting proposals from operators
December 2026 (tentative) Decision of preferred negotiator
【Supplementary Information on Public Offering】
Currently, opinions on the "Draft Application Guidelines" are being sought prior to the public offering. Please submit your opinions.
URL: Kitakyushu City Official Website
https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/contents/05900166_00005.html