Hello everyone, I’m Puchiko!
It makes me so happy to see more and more international visitors becoming curious about Japanese onsen (hot springs).
Did you know there are over 3,000 onsen towns across Japan? From quick weekend getaways to long healing retreats, Japanese people never seem to get enough of hot springs.
But here’s the secret—onsen in Japan are not just about relaxation or taking a bath.
Behind this unique bathing culture lies a deep history connected to Japanese spirituality, daily life, and travel traditions.
In this article, as a born-and-raised Japanese, I’ll guide you through the fascinating history of onsen and answer some common questions:
- Where did Japanese onsen culture begin?
- Why are hot springs so special to the Japanese?
So, let’s open the door to the history of Japanese onsen together ♨️✨
2. The Beginning of Onsen: Sacred Waters and Healing
In Japan, onsen were never considered just a “natural resource.” Since ancient times, hot springs have been revered as sacred places with healing powers.
Take the famous Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture, for example.
There is a local legend about a wounded white heron that dipped its leg into the steaming waters of Dogo. Miraculously, its injury healed, and it soon flew away in good health.
Villagers who witnessed this believed the spring possessed a divine power to cure illness. From that time on, Dogo Onsen was cherished as a place of healing.
Another historic site, Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture, is also tied to ancient mythology.
According to Japan’s oldest chronicle, the Nihon Shoki, Empress Jingu bathed in Arima’s waters after battle to restore her strength.
Stories like these spread the idea that onsen were gifts from the gods, not merely hot water bubbling from the earth. They were seen as sacred waters carrying special power.
Toji Culture: Hot Springs as a Place of Healing
From ancient times, Japanese people also practiced toji (湯治)—the custom of staying at a hot spring for days or even weeks to recover from illness or fatigue.
In modern terms, it was like a hot spring healing retreat.
Japanese onsen are categorized by their mineral composition, and for centuries each type has been associated with particular benefits:
- Simple onsen (tanjun onsen): gentle waters, believed to support recovery from fatigue
- Carbon dioxide springs (tansan onsen): thought to improve circulation, traditionally linked to high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis
- Bicarbonate springs (tansan suisoen): often called “beauty baths,” said to leave skin smooth
- Chloride springs (enshio onsen): warming waters believed to help with chills and minor wounds
- Sulfur springs (iōsen): with a distinctive aroma, used historically for chronic skin conditions
- Acidic springs (sansei onsen): said to have antibacterial effects, connected to skin health in folklore
Of course, these are traditional beliefs rather than medical guarantees.
Still, many people—including myself!—have felt lighter, more relaxed, and noticed softer skin after a soak.
For people in the past, onsen were never just for fun. They were an integral part of life and a traditional way to restore health and balance.
3. Travel and Onsen: Healing for Warriors and Pilgrims
As time passed, Japanese onsen evolved from sacred healing sites into essential stops along the road for travelers.
Sengoku Period: Healing Baths for Samurai
During the war-torn Sengoku period, it is said that wounded samurai bathed in hot springs to recover from battle injuries.
Historical records mention figures like Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, and the famous warlord Uesugi Kenshin, both of whom visited hot springs.
For these warriors, onsen were not a luxury but a form of rehabilitation on the battlefield—a way to restore strength and continue fighting.
Edo Period: Pilgrims and Commoners Enjoying Onsen
By the Edo period (1603–1868), Japan had entered a long era of peace. Travel became popular among common people, and onsen culture flourished.
One of the most famous journeys was the Ise Pilgrimage, a visit to the sacred Ise Grand Shrine. Along the way, pilgrims would stop at local hot springs to rest and refresh their bodies.
During this time, onsen towns expanded. Inns catering to both long-term toji guests and short-term travelers lined the streets, and hot spring resorts became lively social hubs.
The familiar Japanese travel style—soaking in the bath → enjoying local food → resting in a tatami room—was already established in the Edo era.
For ordinary people, hot springs were no longer just about healing the sick. They became an essential part of travel and leisure culture in Japan.
4. Modern Onsen: From Healing to Entertainment
With the arrival of the Meiji era (1868–1912) and the rapid development of railways, onsen became accessible to the masses.
What had once been mainly for toji (therapeutic bathing) gradually evolved into onsen for leisure and tourism.
The Birth of Onsen Towns
Hot spring areas developed into lively onsen towns, lined with traditional inns (ryokan), souvenir shops, and entertainment halls.
Visitors in yukata would stroll the streets, play games like shateki (target shooting) or smart ball, and snack on local specialties such as onsen manju (steamed buns).
Soon, hot spring resorts became more than just bathing spots—they transformed into entertainment districts in their own right.
From the 20th Century to Today: Diverse Onsen Experiences
In modern Japan, onsen culture has diversified even further. Travelers can now enjoy:
- Onsen theme parks (like Oedo Onsen Monogatari or Spa World)
- Day-trip hot springs and super sento: affordable, urban-style facilities
- Private open-air baths in guest rooms: a luxurious way to soak in privacy
- Footbaths and café-style onsen: casual, combined with sightseeing
Today, onsen are not only places of relaxation for the body and mind, but also a highlight of Japanese travel and a major attraction for visitors from around the world.
5. Conclusion: Onsen as Living History
Japanese onsen are far more than just baths.
They carry the legacy of sacred waters from mythology, the tradition of toji healing culture, the restorative stops for warriors and pilgrims, and the lively development of onsen towns as centers of tourism and entertainment.
In this way, onsen are like a mirror reflecting Japanese life and values across the ages—from ancient times to the present day.
Perhaps that’s why, even today, Japanese people feel not only refreshed but also deeply comforted in spirit when soaking in a hot spring.
So, why not experience this history for yourself? Step into an onsen and discover a tradition that continues to shape Japanese culture ♨️✨
👉 In my next article, I’ll introduce some of the best onsen destinations in Japan to visit.
If you’re wondering “Which hot spring should I try first?”, stay tuned for the travel guide!
Ever wondered what makes Japan’s hot springs so special? ♨️😉