Nozawa Onsen Rotenburo Culture & Public Bath Network

A Japanese public bathing culture dating from the Edo period, serving as community social spaces. With distinctive features like painted Mt. Fuji murals and tile art, sento have been rediscovered by younger generations and international tourists amid retro and sauna trends.

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 traditional hot spring bath-hopping culture in Kinosaki, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture. Wooden-constructed small-scale public bathhouses built from the Taisho to early Showa periods form the town landscape. The 'Sotoburo' (external bath) system allows ryokan guests to experience multiple thermal baths throughout town. The fusion of historic wooden architecture and hot spring culture symbolizes Japanese aesthetic charm.

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 distinctive tourism tradition in Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, where visitors tour seven public bathhouses in traditional yukata robes. Continuing from the Edo period, each bath features unique mineral properties and architectural styles. The entire resort town was designed based on sanatorium principles, embodying therapeutic culture in its urban layout. It preserves a Taisho-era romantic atmosphere and represents an important cultural heritage.

Shibu Onsen in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture. Known for its 'outer bath tour' culture continuing from the Edo period, with nine historic wooden bath houses still standing. Post-war hotel development created luxury accommodations while maintaining coexistence with traditional baths. A rare example achieving both historical landscape preservation and modern tourism functions. The entire town functions as cultural heritage, transmitting Edo-period hot spring town atmosphere to the present.