Nozawa Onsen Outdoor Bath Complex

An ancient hot spring in Nozawa Onsen village, Nagano Prefecture, featuring 13 public bathhouses scattered throughout town and available free to residents. Managed as communal assets since the Edo period, they remain central to community identity. Also known as a ski resort, attracting approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. It exemplifies the relationship between Japanese hot spring culture and local society.

A bath-hopping tradition formed by 13 municipal public baths in Nozawa Onsen Village, Shimotakai, Nagano Prefecture. Developed as a free communal system for villagers since the Edo period, also known as a winter ski resort. Outdoor bath culture is strong, with thermal springs experienced amid natural scenery. It exemplifies coexistence between locals and tourists in onsen communities.

A hot spring and ski village with 13 free public baths. Community-managed bathing culture is the archetype of Japanese onsen communities. The winter Dosojin fire festival is one of Japan's top three.

An ancient hot spring in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, known since the Nara period. Nine shared public baths and inns cluster tightly in a narrow valley, preserving the Edo-period onsen town character. The 'hot spring hopping' culture is particularly developed here, with guests traditionally visiting all nine public baths. Recently renewed attention through a 2023 anime film.

A distinctive ryokan management culture in Kurokawa Onsen, Minami-Aso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture. Centered around the communal bath 'Shinyu,' approximately 30 ryokan operate cooperatively. The 'Bath Pass' system introduced in the 1960s allows guests to bathe at multiple ryokan. Praised for balancing atmospheric streetscape preservation with sustainable business practices.

A unique combination of thermal springs and Mount Fuji views in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. Many ryokan outdoor baths offer Mount Fuji vistas, creating an experience of feeling both mountain coolness and thermal warmth simultaneously. Touristification began in the mid-Showa period, forming fusion tourism culture of Fuji worship and thermal therapy. Recognized domestically and internationally as exemplary integration of mountain scenery and hot springs.