Spa Resort Hawaiians Overview
Spa Resort Hawaiians is a sprawling onsen, water park and entertainment complex in Iwaki city, Fukushima prefecture. Originally opened in 1966 as the Joban Hawaiian Center, the resort was built to revitalize the local economy as Iwaki’s coal mining industry declined in the shift from coal to oil. Drawing on the abundant natural hot spring water of Iwaki Yumoto Onsen — one of Japan’s three oldest onsen — the resort transformed what was once an inconvenience for miners into a year-round tropical paradise.
The resort features six themed zones, including the main Water Park, a massive indoor dome filled with pools, water slides and palm trees that maintains a tropical temperature regardless of the season. The Edo Jowa Yoichi is a sprawling outdoor bath built in the style of an Edo period bathhouse and recognized for being one of the world’s largest open-air baths, covering some 1,000 square meters. Other areas include the Spring Park indoor hot springs, the outdoor Spa Garden Pareo and Vir Port, which offers beauty treatments and wellness programs.
The undisputed stars of the resort are the Hula Girls, the resident dance troupe that has been performing Polynesian shows since the resort’s founding. Their story inspired the 2006 hit Japanese film Hula Girls. After the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, the Hula Girls toured evacuation centers across the Tohoku coast, becoming a symbol of hope and recovery for the region.
On-site accommodation includes Hotel Hawaiians and the Monolith Tower, making it easy to enjoy an overnight stay and catch the evening entertainment shows.
Best Times To Visit Spa Resort Hawaiians
Since the main attractions are indoors and heated by natural hot spring water, Spa Resort Hawaiians is a great destination year-round. That said, summer is the most popular season, when visitors can also enjoy the outdoor Spa Garden Pareo pools and water playground (closed during winter). Weekdays during the regular season tend to be less crowded and more affordable. The resort has a small number of irregular closing days for maintenance, so check the official website before visiting.