An onsen (温泉) is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. A volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth. Onsen were traditionally used as public bathing places and today play a central role in directing Japanese domestic tourism. Onsen come in many types and shapes, including outdoor (露天風呂 or rotenburo) and indoor baths. Baths may be either public run by a municipality or private often run as part of a hotel, ryokan.
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is a naturally heated spring which discharges from the ground at a total of 32,000 L/m from more than 100 points across the area. It is one of Japan's top three onsen and is world famous for it's therapeutic properties. The water is high in sulphate, aluminium, sulfur and chloride which gives it a unique green glow. Heated by underground volcanic vents the water reaches 60 ℃. The water is good for the relief of neuralgia, muscle pain, dermatosis, bruising, sprains hypertension and fatigue. The strong sterilising power, which destroys germs and bacteria, is the secret to it's therapeutic properties. The acidity of the spring water is high enough that it can dissolve \1 coins (aluminium) in just under a week.



















