Akayu Onsen Traditional Townscape & Onsen Town Culture

Flooring material used in Japanese houses. Traditional mat made from rush grass. Characteristic of Japanese rooms (washitsu). Essential in traditional inn rooms at tourism destinations. Closely related to sitting culture. Symbolizes Japanese residential culture. Important element shaping hot spring inn experience. Staying in tatami rooms popular with tourists. Preserves and disseminates Japanese lifestyle.

A small hot spring resort in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture. Featuring approximately 80 traditional inns, it is known for its unique 'yumeguri' tradition where guests bathe in nine public bathhouses. Renowned for its old-fashioned charm and rustic atmosphere, it attracts many backpackers and younger tourists seeking an authentic onsen experience.

A collection of hot spring resorts on the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, including Wakaura Onsen and Wajima Onsen. Featuring open-air baths with views of the Japan Sea, tourism increasingly combines hot spring bathing with agricultural experiences and home-stay culture. Attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually, it functions as an important regional tourism industry.

Located at the northernmost point of the Okuhida region, featuring multiple spring sources in the upper Kameda River. Known for its effervescent carbonated waters. Serves as an access point for the Shinhotaka Ropeway, drawing many climbers. Despite its remote mountain location, it offers several inns and rotenburo facilities, balancing the appeal of a hidden spring with practical amenities.

A hot spring in Mimasaka, Okayama, discovered in the late Edo period. Its soft, alkaline-simple waters are gentle on the skin. Historically visited by young Hideyo Noguchi for hydrotherapy, it is known as 'beauty water.' The tradition of shared public baths continues, preserving the intimate mingling of locals and tourists characteristic of authentic onsen towns.

Traditional natural sulfur mining and production in Myoban Onsen, Beppu, Oita Prefecture. Distinctive extraction method utilizing hot spring water has produced sulfur since the Edo period. Contemporary mining techniques are valued as traditional craftsmanship, and the landscape of mining sites has become a tourist resource. Represents a fusion of onsen culture and industrial heritage.