Nozawa Onsen Rotenburo Tradition and Municipal Bath System

A hot spring resort in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture, featuring the historic 'Thirteen Baths'—communal facilities since the Edo period, still maintained by locals. Numerous free outdoor baths scattered throughout allow casual access to hot springs. Also renowned as a ski resort, winter snow bathing experiences attract many visitors seeking immersion in snowy mountain settings.

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.

Hot spring village in Nozawa, Nagano Prefecture. Thirteen community-owned free outdoor baths (called 'yushiya') scattered throughout the village create a unique shared bathing culture used by locals and tourists alike. An Edo-period communal hot spring management system continues functioning today. The entire onsen town operates as an integrated healing community, forming the core of local identity.

A distinctive public bath sharing system in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano, where residents collectively manage thirteen external baths. A practice continuing from the Edo period, resident self-management and cost-sharing foster community consciousness. By differentiating visitor and resident spring use and adjusting seasonal bath operations, it realizes sustainable shared resource management. It represents a rare case resolving ownership and usage rights tensions between tourism industry development and community preservation.

A hot spring city boasting the highest volume of spring water in Japan. Known for its 'Beppu Hatto' — eight distinct onsen areas — and 'Jigoku Meguri' (Hell Tour), the city has roughly 2,300 individual springs. Diverse tourism experiences leverage these thermal resources in creative ways.

One of Japan's 'Three Great Hot Springs' in Gunma Prefecture. Roughly 4,000 liters of hot spring water gush per minute from the Yubatake (hot water field), and unique bathing customs include yumomi (water stirring) shows. It consistently ranks among Japan's most popular onsen destinations.