Japan hot spring resorts want onsen recognition

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Japan hot spring resorts want onsen recognition

MAEBASHI - The top leaders of prefectures that host the nation's popular hot spring resorts want the world to recognize and appreciate the soothing mineral waters that Japanese have enjoyed for centuries.

The 17 governors have set up an association to push for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage status for Japan s onsen culture.

Gunma Governor Ichita Yamamoto, who serves as director-general, told the association's inaugural general meeting on November 21 that they want to win the status as early as 2026. In addition to Gunma, the association brings together Hokkaido, Fukushima, Kanagawa, Ishikawa, Fukui, Gifu, Shizuoka, Hyogo, Wakayama, Shimane, Tottori, Ehime, Oita, Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures.

Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima, who was appointed chairman of the association, describes onsen as an essential part of Japanese culture. Onsen has refreshed Japanese people mentally and physically, and has been cherished since ancient times, he said. It is an attractive content for people from abroad. The governors shared their opinions during the meeting. The governor of Tottori, Shinji Hirai, said, We must come up with reasons to convince UNESCO. The association will set up an advisory panel of experts, work with municipalities to build momentum and make efforts to forward requests to government agencies.

Tourism-related organizations in Gunma Prefecture established a council in 2018 to have onsen culture registered as UNESCO Intangible Heritage.

Takashi Nakazawa, head of the Gunma prefectural onsen association, said that bathing in hot springs is one of the characteristics of onsen culture in Japan, which boasts about 3,000 hot spring areas.

We rinse and wash ourselves with hot water before entering the bathtub and take time to warm up in the water. He said that we let hot spring minerals soak into our skin to feel refreshed mentally and physically.

Outside of Japan, this bathing practice is rarely seen. I think it is a form of culture unique to Japan and worthy of Intangible Cultural Heritage status. Nakazawa said the group intends to define onsen culture and analyze the conditions of hot spring areas around the country to clarify what needs to be supported by UNESCO.

He said that it's a challenge to set the mood as a national campaign. We want to collect signatures from 100 million people, and we want to do it with a determination.