Japan aims to make onsen culture a UNESCO intangible heritage

A group of governors representing 44 of Japan's 47 prefectures is aiming to have the country's onsen (hot spring) culture recognized as an intangible heritage by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization by 2028.

A hot spring bath in Japan. (Photo: VNA)

Onsen, which roughly translates to “warm spring” in Japanese, is a type of hot spring bath that is quite popular in Japan. Onsen bathing is a long-standing cultural beauty of the Japanese people. In addition to helping the body relax, soaking in natural hot water is also considered a quite effective treatment method.

The group campaigning for onsen to become a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage was established in November 2022, bringing together representatives from 44 of Japan's 47 prefectures.

The group plans to complete a survey next March on the current status of hot spring areas across the country and assess the level of protection the sites have to meet to become cultural heritage sites.

This report will be submitted to the Japanese Government with the hope of contributing to the development of onsen resorts in the country.

Tottori Prefecture Governor Shinji Hirai, head of the group campaigning to make onsen a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, said this type of bath deserves recognition, with value equivalent to the traditional Japanese art of making sake and shochu.

It is known that sake brewing technique was also recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in December 2024.

Japan currently has about 3,000 hot spring resorts. The Japanese consider them a gift from nature. According to the advocacy group, onsen is not only an activity that helps relax the body and mind but also reflects the Japanese lifestyle, closely linked to the lives of the local people.

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