The Healing Waters of Japan's Onsen

Healing waters have different names all around the world. An onsen is a term for a Japanese hot springs or spa, though it is also used to describe bathing facilities and inns around hot springs. Japan is a volcanically active country, and therefore has thousands of Japanese hot springs that are widely enjoyed and used for balneotherapy. The Japanese spas were traditionally used as public bathing places and are today a central role in Japanese domestic tourism.

Onsen can be either outdoor or indoor baths or spas, and the baths may be publicly run by a municipality or privately run as part of a hotel or Bed and Breakfast.

Japanese hot springs are a major tourist attraction drawing a vast array of users ranging from Japanese couples and families, to company groups escaping from the hectic life of the city to relax.

Traditionally, the naturally heated spas were located outdoors, but many inns have built indoor bathing facilities. Onsen use naturally hot water from geothermally heated springs and are a great example of the healing waters of balneotherapy.

Major spa resort hotels of Japan often feature a wide variety of themed spa baths and artificial waterfalls in the bathing areas for everyone to enjoy.

Onsen water is suggested to have healing powers from the high mineral content in the water. In fact, many of the natural Japanese spas feature several different baths, each with water that has a different mineral composition.

The atmosphere in these places can vary. Some places play piped music and often feature gushing fountains around the baths, making them the ultimate in relaxation.

There are usually prohibitions against rowdiness in the washing and bathing areas, although a small amount of excess energy and splashing is usually tolerated.

The volcanic nature of Japan provides lots of natural springs. The water from these springs contains many specific minerals or chemicals, and often are labelled according to this. Typically the baths may be Sulphur, Sodium chloride, Hydrogen carbonate or Iron rich.

Locations of Japanese Onsens:Akagi,Akayu,Arima Onsen,Asamushi Onsen, Aso Kumamoto, Atami Onsen, Dôgo Onsen, Futamata Hokkaidô, Gero Gifu, Getô Onsen, Ginzan Onsen, Hakone, Hanamaki, Hirayu Onsen, Hokkawa Onsen, Ibusuki, Itô, Iwamuro, Jigokudani, Jôzankei, Kakeyu, Kanzanji, Kindaichi, Kinosaki, Kinugawa Onsen, Kurokawa Onsen Village, Kusatsu hot springs, Nagaragawa Onsen, Sawatari Gunma, Shima Gunma, Naruko, Noboribetsu, Nuruyu Kumamoto, Nyûtô, Onneyu, Sabakoyu Onsen, Sakunami Miyagi, Senami Onsen, Shimabara, Shimobe Onsen, Shiobara Onsen, Shuzenji Onsen, Sôunkyo Onsen, Sukayu Aomori, Sumatakyô Onsen, Suwa, Takanoyu Onsen Akita, Takaragawa, Takarazuka Hyôgo, Tara Saga, Tôyako Hokkaidô, Tsukioka Onsen, Tsurumaki Onsen, Unazuki Onsen, Wakura Onsen, Yubara Onsen, Yudanaka Onsen, Yufuin Oita, Yugawara Kanagawa, Yunokawa Hokkaidô, Yuzawa Niigata, Zaô Onsen Yamagata, Awara Onsen, Awazu Onsen, Beppu Onsen, Ikaho Onsen, Kaike Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, Misasa Onsen, Nanki-Katsuura Onsen, Nanki-Shirahama Onsen, Ryujin Onsen, Tsubame Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, Yamashiro Onsen, Yumura Onsen, Yunomine Onsen.

Many Japanese say that the natural volcanic baths have various medical effects: healing aches, pains and diseases. As well, illnesses such as arthralgia, chronic skin diseases, diabetes, constipation and even menstrual disorders are often treated using volcanic healing waters.