This is a dynamic list of geothermal hot springs (onsen) as geological phenomena in Japan. This list is not for listing commercial establishments such as spa hotels, onsen ryokan, healing centers or other commercial establishments.
Japan has many geothermal spring systems as it is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire volcanic area. More than 27,000 hot spring sources exist in Japan, together they discharge over 2.6 million liters of water every minute.
These springs have played, and continue to play, an important role in Japanese culture throughout history. In Shinto, Sukunabikona is the kami of the hot springs. As the deity of hot springs Sukunabikona and à Âkuninushi went to the Dà Âgo hot springs. There à Âkuninushi put Sukunabikona in the hot spring water to heal him of an ailment. Upon awakening, Sukunabikona danced atop a stone. It is said that his footprints left impressions on the rock, known as Tamanoishi, which still exists at Dogo Onsen north of the main building.
Hokkaido Prefecture has the third most hot springs with 2,304 registered. The hot springs in the prefecture have the second highest discharge rate of water at 260 kiloliters per minute.
Kagoshima prefecture has the second most hot springs in Japan, with 2,824 registered. The hot springs systems in Kagoshima have the third highest discharge rate at 201 kiloliters per minute.
Oita is the prefecture with the most geothermal spring sources in Japan, 4,788 are registered. The prefecture also has the highest discharge rate of 296 kiloliters per minute
Ishizu, Risaku. The Mineral Springs of Japan (1915), published by Sankyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo Imperial Hygienic Laboratory for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition