Japanese hot spring culture

Hot springs for Japanese

The history of hot springs in Japan is so long that it is described in Japan’s oldest book, Nihon Shoki, and it can be said that the Japanese have continued to love hot springs at the genetic level.

Origin of hot springs

Although the origin of Japan’s first hot spring is not clear, it is surprising to find traces of it being used like a bath in the stone age ruins. In the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, there is a description that Yamato Takeru Nomikoto healed his wounds at Kusatsu Onsen, and Emperor Jito healed his illness by drinking the hot spring. As historical hot springs , Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture, Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture, and Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture are called the Three Ancient Springs of Japan.