Beppu Onsen
Encyclopedia
is a group of hot spring
s in the city of Beppu, Ōita
in Japan. Beppu Onsen is divided into eight major hot spring areas known as "Beppu Hatto".
The most significant characteristic of Beppu's hot springs is the richness of its resources. The volume of water discharged is second only to that of the Yellowstone National Park
in the United States
, the largest hot spring resort in the world.
There are 2,909 hot spring vents within the city, and these account for more than 10% of the 27,644 hot spring vents in Japan, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment
in 2004. Staistics from the Beppu City Hall show that more than 130,000 tons of hot spring water gushes from the ground every day. This is the second largest amount of hot spring water discharge in the world, and the largest amount in Japan.
Topography" written in the beginning of 8th century, once in the age of the Gods
, when Sukunabikona (スクナビコナ) and Ōkuninushi visited Iyo-no-Kuni that is today Ehime Prefecture
.
Sukunabikona fainted from illness. With a deep sorrow Ōkuninushi placed a long pipe at the bottom of the sea all the way through from Dōgo Onsen
to Beppu to supply therapeutic thermal waters for him to bathe, by the grace of which he was saved. Also Bungo Topography tells about Akayusen (Chinoike Jigoku).
It is reported that in the Kamakura period
Ōtomo Yoriyasu established some sanatoriums in Beppu, Kannawa and Hamawaki to cure samurai wounded by the war against the Mongolian Army
. From the Meiji period
downward Beppu Onsen has made great progress with the boring technique of Kazusa, thanks to which, more than 1000 wells were completed by the end of Meiji. In the 1960s and 1970s, after the World War Two
, Beppu Onsen has made a rapid development with social stability and economical revival.
Especially, from about 1919 to 1955, the amounts of hot water taken rose to use the heat in agriculture
and salt
production, many problems happened, for example, the depletion of the old source of the springs and a decrease in temperature. Because of this, a new source of hot springs was searched for and in 1957, a new layer of hot springs was found in 200m~300m below ground and was started for use.
Since 1964 using hot springs for salt production has been banned, however, using them for agriculture and aqua farming of fish
has continued for the moment.
in the centre of town, Beppu Onsen is the most popular area. Ekimae-Kotō Onsen is a mere 2 minutes. stroll from the station providing tired visitors and locals with invigorating and relaxing moments.
is much enjoyed for its rustic scenery. Beppu Kaihin Sunayu is known for its open-air sand bathing found near Beppu City's seashore.
Public Baths
Hot spring
A hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.-Definitions:...
s in the city of Beppu, Ōita
Beppu, Oita
is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an official population of 125,664 and a total area of 125.13 km², with a population density of 977 persons per km²....
in Japan. Beppu Onsen is divided into eight major hot spring areas known as "Beppu Hatto".
The most significant characteristic of Beppu's hot springs is the richness of its resources. The volume of water discharged is second only to that of the Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the largest hot spring resort in the world.
There are 2,909 hot spring vents within the city, and these account for more than 10% of the 27,644 hot spring vents in Japan, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of the Environment (Japan)
The ' of Japan was formed in 2001 from the sub-cabinet level Environmental Agency established in 1971. The minister is a member of the Cabinet and is chosen by the Prime Minister, usually from the Diet., the current is Goshi Hosono...
in 2004. Staistics from the Beppu City Hall show that more than 130,000 tons of hot spring water gushes from the ground every day. This is the second largest amount of hot spring water discharge in the world, and the largest amount in Japan.
History
According to "Iyo-no-KuniIyo Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku. Iyo bordered on Awa, Sanuki, and Tosa Provinces. It was sometimes called ....
Topography" written in the beginning of 8th century, once in the age of the Gods
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
, when Sukunabikona (スクナビコナ) and Ōkuninushi visited Iyo-no-Kuni that is today Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
.
Sukunabikona fainted from illness. With a deep sorrow Ōkuninushi placed a long pipe at the bottom of the sea all the way through from Dōgo Onsen
Dogo Onsen
is a hot spring in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan.-History:Dōgo Onsen is one of the oldest onsen hot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 1,000 years. The springs are mentioned in the Man'yōshū is a hot spring in the city of Matsuyama,...
to Beppu to supply therapeutic thermal waters for him to bathe, by the grace of which he was saved. Also Bungo Topography tells about Akayusen (Chinoike Jigoku).
It is reported that in the Kamakura period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
Ōtomo Yoriyasu established some sanatoriums in Beppu, Kannawa and Hamawaki to cure samurai wounded by the war against the Mongolian Army
Mongol invasions of Japan
The ' of 1274 and 1281 were major military efforts undertaken by Kublai Khan to conquer the Japanese islands after the submission of Goryeo to vassaldom. Despite their ultimate failure, the invasion attempts are of macrohistorical importance, because they set a limit on Mongol expansion, and rank...
. From the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
downward Beppu Onsen has made great progress with the boring technique of Kazusa, thanks to which, more than 1000 wells were completed by the end of Meiji. In the 1960s and 1970s, after the World War Two
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Beppu Onsen has made a rapid development with social stability and economical revival.
Especially, from about 1919 to 1955, the amounts of hot water taken rose to use the heat in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
production, many problems happened, for example, the depletion of the old source of the springs and a decrease in temperature. Because of this, a new source of hot springs was searched for and in 1957, a new layer of hot springs was found in 200m~300m below ground and was started for use.
Since 1964 using hot springs for salt production has been banned, however, using them for agriculture and aqua farming of fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
has continued for the moment.
Hot spring areas
Beppu Onsen
Conveniently close to Beppu StationBeppu Station
250px|thumb|Beppu Station is the main railway station for the city of Beppu in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, which is famous for its onsen. It is situated on the Nippō Main Line...
in the centre of town, Beppu Onsen is the most popular area. Ekimae-Kotō Onsen is a mere 2 minutes. stroll from the station providing tired visitors and locals with invigorating and relaxing moments.
Kankaiji Onsen
Having the finest endowments of nature among the eight hot springs, this onsen site is located on a hill in the south-west urban area of Beppu. Bathers can enjoy medicinal hot spring waters along with spectacular scenery.Kamegawa Onsen
This onsen area neighboring Kamegawa StationKamegawa Station
is a railway station on the Nippō Main Line operated by Kyūshū Railway Company in Beppu, Oita, Japan....
is much enjoyed for its rustic scenery. Beppu Kaihin Sunayu is known for its open-air sand bathing found near Beppu City's seashore.