A group of citizens at the Sukayu Hot Spring resort in Aomori has mobilized to counter what they see as a threat to mixed bathing in the area — men leering at naked women.

The Konyoku wo Mamoru Kai (Protect Mixed Bathing Association) is urging visitors to the Sukayu Hot Spring resort in Aomori not to stare at women bathers and make them feel uncomfortable.

“It’d be a real shame if we were deprived of the traditional practice of mixed bathing,” a spokesman for the association said.

Sukayu is a hot spring located in a secluded part of Mount Hakkoda and has been frequented by resort lovers for about 320 years. A huge bath of about 260 square meters is covered by a steaming mist brought about by the heat of its waters, whose acidity is said to have therapeutic effects and attracts bathers from across Japan.

Sukayu has signs for men’s and women’s bathing areas, but there is nothing to separate the sexes when they dip into the bath. However, there has recently been an increase in male bathers who have sneaked around to gaze at the naked women there, prompting complaints and putting the practice of mixed bathing under threat.