Get All Access for $5/mo

Hotel Boss Apologizes After Nasty Discovery in Spa Bath The popular 158-year-old Japanese guesthouse's "healing" spa bath water was supposed to be changed weekly.

By Dan Bova

If you are skeeved out by hotel jacuzzis, here's some fuel for tonight's nightmares.

Makoto Yamada, the president of a company that owns the 158-year-old Daimaru Besso inn in Japan, apologized after health inspectors discovered that the property only changed the water in its spa bath twice a year — and that it was swarming with potentially deadly bacteria.

We'll pause to let you shiver or scream in horror.

If twice a year sounds a little bit on the minimal side, that is because it is. CNN Travel reports that local regulations require the water to be changed on a weekly basis. (Which, honestly, still sounds pretty gross to us.)

The bath in question is called an onsen, which uses water from volcanically heated hot springs. In a press conference, Yamada bowed deeply in shame and said, "I am very sorry."

The inspectors found legionella bacteria in the water, which can cause Legionnaires' disease. Legionnaires' is a kind of pneumonia that infects the lungs after droplets of water containing it as inhaled. It is treatable with antibiotics, but a far cry from the Inn's website promising that the "soft and smooth waters leave your skin feeling supple and your mind at ease."

Related: This Overnight Worker Documents His Daily Duties of Napping, Netflix and Swimming

And, wow, there was a lot of it. CNN affiliate TV Asahi reported that inspectors found legionella bacteria at 3,700 times the acceptable level. That is, well, unacceptable.

In his press conference, Yamada claimed that he was surprised by the inspection's findings: "I was not aware of the law myself and thought that legionella bacteria was a common bacterium that could be found anywhere, and also that it was safe because the large baths were free-flowing so the water was changed quite often."

Then he added that the bath managers didn't add chlorine to the water on purpose "because we selfishly disliked the smell of chlorine."

We're going to go ahead and suggest that Mr. Yamada stop talking, grab a mop and turn on the sump pump. And when that bath is scrubbed clean? Go ahead and fill it with some volcanic-heated Purell.

Related: A 25-Year-Old Built a 'Tiny Hotel' in Texas That's Generated $500,000 in Bookings this Year. Check Out the $3.1 Million Property.

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.