Atami Onsen

Kusakabe Kimbei, Great Hot Boiling Springs at Atami

Atami Onsen is a hot springs in Atami, Shizuoka prefecture Japan.

Description

Atami Onsen overlooks Sagami Bay on the Izu-Hanto Peninsula, located approximately 60 miles west of Tokyo. ^[1] There are approximately 500 hot springs in the Atami geothermal spring system. The hot spring system discharges at 20,000 liters per minute ^[2]

History

Legend has it that during the Nara Period in 749 A.D., the kami Manmakino kami of Hakone Gongen prayed to Yakushi Nyorai to redirect the hot springs within the ocean inland to the current site of the Oyu geyser, and to later build Yuzen Shrine, thus establishing Atami Onsen. He also brought samples of the water back to Edo. ^[2]

In the 17th century, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted to recreate their alleged healing properties, that he tried to build a similar onsen in Edo (Tokyo). ^{[3] [4]}

Geothermal energy

The geothermal system has been excavated through boring and pump extraction. ^[5]

Water profile

Some of the spring sources are hot salt springs or chloride springs. ^{[3] [6]}

Gallery

• 
  Yuzen shrine at Atami Onsen, enshrines the kami Sukunabikona
• 
  Geyser in Atami Onsen, 1899
• 
  Oyu Atami Onsen
• 
  230127 Ozawa-no-yu Atami Onsen

References

1. Seki, Akihiko; Goss, Rob (2017). Japanese Inns and Hot Springs. Tuttle. pp. 46–50. ISBN   978-4-8053-1392-3.
2. "Atami Onsen". Atami City. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
3. "Atami Onsen". Japan Travel. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
4. Altman, Nathaniel (2020). Healing Springs: The Ultimate Guide to Taking the Waters. Inner Traditions, Bear Publishing. ISBN   9780892818365 . Retrieved 6 May 2025.
5. Takamitsu, Jimura (2021). Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Japan. Taylor & Hudson. ISBN   9780429671630 . Retrieved 6 May 2025.
6. "Various types of spring water". Japanese Onsen Association. Retrieved 6 May 2025.

Further reading

Yuhara, Kozo. Hydrological Study of Atami Hot Springs (1960)