The formation of Japanese hot springs

Japan: the soup tour of the hot spring country

Every cold winter, hot springs can best arouse people's desire for pleasure. When it comes to hot springs, we can't help but talk about neighboring Japan. Japan is an island country with many volcanoes, and hot springs are the best gifts from volcanoes to Japan and the world. A huge word "soup" is different from the food culture, hotel culture and Japanese hot spring experience derived from hot springs.

3,500 springs

Volcanoes have won Japan the reputation of "the country of hot springs". In Japan, hot springs are also called "soaking in water", and the total number of hot springs scattered all over the country exceeds 3,500. The so-called "hot spring" is defined as "warm water, mineral water, steam and other gases (excluding natural gas) emerging from the ground" according to the "Hot Spring Law" enacted by Japan 1948. When the source temperature of a hot spring exceeds 25 degrees or contains a certain amount of hot spring substances, it can be called a hot spring. So hot springs not only refer to water with high enough temperature, but also contain minerals. Even the so-called "cold spring" is called "hot spring" in Japan because it contains hot spring ingredients, although the temperature is not high.

The origin of hot springs is inseparable from legends. Probably the injured animal recovered from the hot springs, and the locals found the source when they saw it. Although the protagonist of the story may change from a crane to a monkey or a wild deer, the content of the story is roughly the same.

In addition to the legend of healing injured animals, Japanese hot springs are also related to gods or monks. For example, Cao Jin Hot Springs were discovered by monks in Hangji; The Dingshanxi Hot Spring in Hokkaido was discovered by a Buddhist monk in the beautiful spring water in Dingshan.

hotel culture

Japanese-style hot spring hotel enjoys a long reputation and attracts tourists from all over the world to experience it. It comes from the people. Once upon a time, farmers flocked to nearby hot springs with rice, bean paste, soy sauce and bedding. They spend a week or even a month relaxing in the hot springs every day, just to recuperate.

In early modern times, hot spring hotels were places where companies rewarded employees, held meetings and negotiated business. However, with the change of social structure, today's hot spring hotels have become popular places for female white-collar workers and housewives. In some old hot spring hotels, middle-aged and elderly waitresses wearing traditional kimonos have become a unique landscape.

In the hot spring hotel, there is a traditional soaking method:

Bathrobe will be provided in the guest room. Passengers should change into clean and convenient bathrobes before going to the hot springs. In the dressing room of the hot spring, put the undressed clothes in the basket and bring only one towel in. Wash your body with soap in the shower; If the shower room is public, sit in a small chair and wash it with a small basin of water. Don't stand up, lest water splash on others.