Natural hot springs in Japan (traditional name - onsen) are an integral part of the local culture and are very popular both among the indigenous people and among visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun. In the old days, when people did not have enough knowledge about illnesses and few medicines, such baths were considered sacred; Today onsen, which Japanese people visit, became fashionable entertainment for travelers, not to mention that most of the sightseeing tours of the state include such a useful pastime. Further in the article, we will tell you in detail about the best hot springs in Japan and their features.
Healing properties of hot springs
The resorts of Japan with hot springs are famous for their unique healing properties. Depending on the mineral composition of the water, all onsen can be divided into several categories:
- Sulfuric. This is the most common type of hot springs in Japan, which is most often found in mountainous areas. They are easy to distinguish by the appropriate smell and color. It should be noted that bathing in sulfur onsens, such as Shiobara Onsen in Tochigi and Unzen Onsen in Nagasaki, is recommended for people with dry and problem skin, but for owners of sensitive skin type it is necessary to take such baths with great care, because sulfur water can cause irritation. In addition, admirers of alternative medicine believe that hot springs of this type are useful for neuralgia and back pain.
- Alkaline. Onsens of this species are most popular among the fair sex. It is believed that the skin after the first bathing becomes more tender and smooth, and also acquires a healthy color and natural shine. The most famous of them are Noboribetsu Onsen in Hokkaido (Norboribetsu resort ) and Ureshino Onsen in Saga prefecture.
- Hydrocarbonate. A characteristic feature of this species is the large number of small bubbles that form on the skin during bathing, which helps to expand capillaries and lower blood pressure. The most famous representative of this category is Tamagawa Onsen in Akita.
No less popular with local residents and numerous tourists are the following types:
- acid and sulfate onsens (for wound healing);
- onsenes with a high content of radium (for the relief of rheumatism and diseases of the intestinal tract);
- chloride-sodium sources (effective for warming the body and for various gynecological diseases).
Best onsen in Japan
Japan is the leader in the number of hot springs. In total there are more than 3000 different onsens on the territory of the country: closed and open, natural and artificial, mixed and separate. Let's talk about the best of them in more detail:
- Hot springs of Hakone in Japan (Hakone Onsen). The first place in the Top 5, according to travelers' reviews, gets a small town of Hakone , located just 90 minutes. ride by train from Tokyo. On the territory of this famous resort there are about 20 baths, while relaxing in which you can enjoy the amazing scenery of Mount Fuji and one of the most beautiful national parks of the country . The infrastructure of the resort of Hakone is also very well developed: there are hotels, spa centers and even a few souvenir shops where you can buy memorabilia as gifts to relatives and relatives.
- Beppu Onsen. The city of Beppu is known to many tourists as the capital of Japan's hot springs. There are 8 thermal centers in its territory, equipped with approximately 300 bathing facilities. The color of the water in the springs varies from gently blue to blood red, depending on the mineral composition. The popularity of Beppu Onsen can not be overestimated - annually the number of visitors, including tourists, reaches 12.5 million, and the photos of hot springs in Japan made here are known to the whole world!
- Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Odaiba Tokyo Oedo-Onsen Monogatari). The most visited city of the Land of the Rising Sun is, of course, its capital, so many tourists, not wanting to waste a lot of time on the road, go on vacation to the nearest spa resorts. Of all the hot springs (onsen) near Tokyo, the most popular is the Oedo Onsen Monogatari Park, where visitors can visit more than 30 mineral water baths, hotels, shops, restaurants and even a concert venue for local stars.
- Zao Onsen. Just 3 hours drive from the capital, there is a small tourist town, which is famous not only for healing hot springs in the mountains of Japan, but also for the skiing conditions. Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure (130 hotels , 40 restaurants, several dozen baths), the resort can accommodate up to 12,000 visitors at a time.
- Kinosaki Onsen. The eponymous city, on whose territory one of the best hot springs of the country are located, is located in an amazing place in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains and sea. This resort is especially necessary for lovers of art, including classical architecture, in which the rich history of Kinosaki was reflected. Rest here is recommended primarily to people with diseases of the digestive and cardiovascular system.
Tips and Tricks
All year round a huge number of tourists come to Japan to enjoy its amazing beauty and to improve in the legendary hot springs of the country. To get the most out of the rest, observe some rules that are mandatory for everyone:
- Bathe completely naked is one of the basic rules. If you are embarrassed to undress completely before strangers, in Japan there are many private bathing areas where no one will disturb your peace.
- The main purpose of taking a bath with thermal water is complete cleansing and soothing, so loud laughter and fun in the territory of onsen are not welcome.
- It is not recommended to swim in hot springs more than 3 times a day. The amount of energy consumed in this case is the same as if you ran at a maximum speed of 1 km. In addition, doctors advise to pay special attention to rest and drink more fluid.
To get to one of the local thermal spas, it is best to book a special tour in advance at a local agency. One of the most popular excursions is "A Great Journey Through Japan and Hot Springs". Its duration can be from 6 to 14 days, and the cost, respectively, from 2500 cu. During the trip you will not only visit the most famous places of the country (Tokyo, Yokohama , Kyoto , Okayama , etc.), but also will be able to spend an unforgettable vacation on the territory of the best onsen of Japan.