Japan wants to make onsen bathing a UNESCO heritage site

Onsen is a tradition of natural hot spring bathing that has existed for centuries in Japan. Shinji Hirai, governor of Tottori Prefecture, who heads the group campaigning for onsen to become a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, said this type deserves recognition equivalent to the arts of making sake and shochu, two This traditional Japanese wine was just honored by UNESCO in December.

Hot springs – onsen are formed from underground water sources near volcanic areas that have stopped or are still active. Hot spring bathing is an indispensable experience for visitors to Japan. For indigenous people, onsen bathing is not only a way to clean the body but also a culture, a ritual to purify the soul, a method of healing and taking care of the body.

The campaign group to make onsen a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage was established in November 2022, representing 44 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. The group plans to complete a survey next March on the status of hot spring areas across the country and evaluate the level of protection of the sites according to standards of becoming cultural heritage. This report will be submitted to the government, with the expectation of contributing to the development of onsen tourist areas across the country.

According to the advocacy group, onsen is not only a relaxing activity but also a typical Japanese lifestyle, closely associated with people’s daily lives. Japan currently has about 3,000 hot spring resorts, considered by indigenous people to be a gift from nature.

In the past, Japanese people often stayed at onsen areas for at least a week, even longer, to bathe several times a day as a method of treating diseases.

Nowadays, onsen trips to restore health are still popular, but most only spend a day or two soaking in the natural mineral water, because not many people have enough time for a week of relaxation in the springs. Hot water in the midst of modern life.

Another study by the Rinnai organization after a nationwide survey of 50 people in each prefecture in Japan showed that 53% of people bathed every day in winter, on average 5-24 minutes.

Efforts to make onsen a world intangible cultural heritage have gained momentum since UNESCO recognized Finland’s sauna culture in 2020. Saunas are introduced as an indispensable part of the lives of most people. Finnish people.

Japan has many intangible cultural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO, and the traditional sake production process will become the country’s 23rd heritage site at the end of 2024.