Tsuchiyu Onsen: A clean energy model without sacrificing age-old traditions

Tsuchiyu Onsen, an ancient hot spring village located in the mountains of Fukushima, Japan, has for 1,400 years been a popular destination for those seeking to soak in its healing waters. Nine years ago, local leaders decided to build a geothermal power plant. This plant not only uses the hot spring water to generate electricity, but has also become an example of how Japan could harness its vast geothermal potential without compromising its rich cultural heritage.

Japan has the third-largest geothermal energy reserves in the world, but still relies heavily on imported fossil fuels. Although experts estimate that geothermal energy could supply up to 10% of the country’s electricity, it currently accounts for only 0.3%. The Japanese government plans to triple this percentage in the next decade.

One of the biggest obstacles to the development of geothermal energy in Japan has been resistance from the hot springs industry, which fears that geothermal projects could damage water sources, negatively affecting their business. However, the residents of Tsuchiyu Onsen have found a way to make geothermal plants and hot springs coexist. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, which devastated the local economy, the community decided to come together to build a geothermal plant that would generate renewable energy without harming the quality and temperature of the hot springs.

According to experts, while these small plants alone will not change Japan’s energy landscape, they are crucial to fostering acceptance of geothermal energy and paving the way for larger projects in the future. At Tsuchiyu Onsen, the plant was built on top of the existing hot spring water system, without the need to drill new wells, which has preserved the quality of the water. Residents of the village continue to use the hot spring water in their businesses, combining tradition and modernity.

Full report in The Washington Post