Hot Springs

T here are more than 3,000 hot springs, onsen, in Japan. The custom of bathing in hot springs dates back over 2.000 years and Japanese has a special feeling for hot springs. People travel to hot spring areas, especially in winter. One of the most favorite recreations is to enjoy beautiful winter scenery, soaking leisurely in an outdoor hot spring bath, rotenburo. Each hot spring has its beneficial effect, depending on its contents― “Good for skin”, “Refreshing and warming body” and so on.

U nique is Jigokudani Yaen-Koen near Yudanaka hot spring resort in Nagano pref. Visitors can observe monkeys bathing in hot springs.