Nagano Prefecture, Lake Shirakaba's "Akariyu Suzuran" to Open on June 27

Shirakabamura Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chino City, Nagano Prefecture / Representative: Yoshihiro Yajima, hereinafter "Shirakabamura") has revitalized the former "Lake Shirakaba Onsen Suzuran no Yu," acquired from Chino City, as "Akariyu Suzuran" and is scheduled to open on June 27, 2026.

During the preparations for opening, additional equipment damage was discovered, leading to a change in the opening date. Consequently, Community Plus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chofu City, Tokyo / Representative: Yuri Kuriyama, hereinafter "Community Plus"), responsible for facility operations, will launch a crowdfunding campaign.

◾️Flow until Transfer

The former "Lake Shirakaba Onsen Suzuran no Yu" was a day-trip hot spring facility located on the shores of Lake Shirakaba, widely popular among tourists, residents, and villa owners. However, it was difficult to secure profitability solely as a bathing facility, and although it was operated under the designated management of Chino City, it ceased operations in March 2024. Chino City, anticipating significant costs for demolishing the aging facility, decided on a policy of private transfer through an open solicitation proposal method. In the second public offering in December 2024, Shirakabamura submitted a proposal and was selected as the first priority negotiation right holder.

A transfer agreement with Chino City was signed at the end of April 2025. However, during the equipment inspection before the transfer, it was discovered that major facilities such as piping and boilers, which were problem-free at the time of the public offering explanation, were damaged by winter freezing. The repair cost amounted to approximately 60 million yen (estimated by Chino City), of which 40 million yen would be borne by Chino City and the remainder by Shirakabamura, which was approved at an extraordinary session of the Chino City Council on October 22, 2025. On October 30 of the same year, a press release was distributed announcing the renewal opening in April 2026.

◾️Discovery of Additional Damage and Postponement of Opening

Equipment repair work began in November 2025, but additional damage to piping and other components was discovered in December. This damage was difficult to foresee before the start of construction. Approximately 40 million yen will be required for additional repairs, bringing the total estimated repair cost needed for business resumption to approximately 100 million yen. Currently, fundraising is underway through multiple means, including contributions from Chino City, loans from financial institutions, and crowdfunding. Due to the expanded repair plan, the opening date has been changed to June 27, 2026.

◾️About Crowdfunding

This facility has been a hot spring facility regularly used by local residents, villa owners, and tourists, serving as a base for both daily life and tourism in Lake Shirakaba. To achieve sustainable operation after private transfer, a model that does not rely on subsidies is sought, and thus, this facility is undergoing regeneration in a new form. It will be operated as a multi-functional complex combining hot spring bathing with food and beverage services, retail, and community hub functions.

Community Plus, responsible for the facility's operation, will conduct crowdfunding to foster a highly public hub for Lake Shirakaba together with the local community. This initiative is not limited to fundraising but is also considered a process of creating and nurturing the facility together with local residents, villa owners, and visitors. Various returns, such as bathing tickets, meal vouchers, and invitations to the pre-opening, are available to supporters.

◾️About the Facility

The facility name has been changed to "Akariyu Suzuran" (reading: Akariyu Suzuran), and it will be revitalized as a multi-functional community hub with hot spring bathing, dining, accommodation, and local exchange functions.

Inside the facility, lunch and dinner services featuring ingredients from around Lake Shirakaba and fermented food culture are planned, and a space will be prepared for guests to relax before and after using the hot springs. The aim is to create a place where not only day-trippers but also local residents, villa owners, and tourists will naturally want to visit and stay for an extended period. Additionally, two simple accommodation rooms will be prepared for use as a disaster prevention base in emergencies, planning to function as a facility that supports the community during disasters and power outages.

The bathing fees are planned to be 900 yen on weekdays, 1,000 yen on weekends and holidays, and 1,100 yen during super peak seasons for adults, and 500 yen (all days) for children. Various discount systems for local residents and repeat visitors will be considered in the future. Furthermore, prices may be revised in response to changes in the environment surrounding facility operations, such as rising fuel and material costs and exchange rate fluctuations.

Future Schedule

Preparations will proceed according to the following schedule:

Early April: Crowdfunding begins

March to End of May 2026: Repair and renovation work

Mid-June 2026: Pre-opening

June 27, 2026: Scheduled renewal opening

*This schedule is subject to fundraising and construction progress.

Facility Overview

Facility Name: Akariyu Suzuran (Akariyu Suzuran)

Former Facility Name: Lake Shirakaba Onsen Suzuran no Yu

Location: 3419-84 Kitayama Shirakabako, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture

Scheduled Opening Date: June 27, 2026

Comment from Yoshihiro Yajima, Representative of Shirakabamura

We apologize for the concern caused to local residents and those looking forward to the opening due to the change in the opening date. Damage to equipment that could not be foreseen before the start of construction was discovered, requiring time for repairs. However, we recognize this as an issue that must be addressed firmly now for the sustainability of the region.

Lake Shirakaba is the place where I was born and raised, and where I have walked alongside local businesses and residents. "Akariyu Suzuran" is not merely a hot spring facility; it aims to be a long-loved facility that serves as a public space for the entire Lake Shirakaba region, a hub where residents, villa owners, and tourists gather and interact, supporting the community.

About the Lake Shirakaba Region

Lake Shirakaba is a bright lake surrounded by birch trees, located at the foot of the Northern Yatsugatake Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,400m. Surrounded by Mt. Kurumayama and Mt. Tateshina along its shores, it is a refreshing resort area with cool breezes, and the nationally renowned driving course, Venus Line, runs along the lake.

In the Lake Shirakaba area, which spans Chino City and Tateshina Town in Nagano Prefecture, both administrations jointly announced the "Lake Resort Concept" in 2022, and efforts are underway to make the Tateshina-Shirakaba Highlands an iconic lake resort area in Japan.

About Community Plus Co., Ltd.

Community Plus Co., Ltd. is a production company with a mission to "support the growth of challengers and companies," engaged in Web3 product development, international marketing, and also local community and regional revitalization. They create new value connecting cities and regions through event planning, community building, and technology utilization to disseminate and solve regional attractions and challenges.

About Shirakabamura Co., Ltd.

Shirakabamura Co., Ltd. is a regional asset management company working to solve regional issues in the Lake Shirakaba area, which spans Chino City and Tateshina Town, aiming for a "lake resort that lasts 50 years into the future." We aim to solve issues in a way that leads to the future of the region, while taking into account the requests and aspirations of everyone involved in the community. "Shirakabamura Co., Ltd." Official Website: https://shirakabamura.com/