Nature & Parks
National Hot Spring Health Resorts
National hot spring health resorts, designated by Minister of the Environment based on the Hot Spring Law for the purpose of promoting public use of hot springs, are the hot springs area from which positive effects of using hot springs can be fully expected and which are utilized as health resorts for promoting public use of hot springs.
The designation of national hot spring health resorts, which started in 1954, has been conducted based on the following criteria in general. As of end-May, 2015, 92 sites were designated nationwide.
[1] Conditions on the efficacy and yield of hot spring water
- The source of hot springs is medicinal springs.
- The criterion of the yield is 0.5ℓ per person.
[2] Conditions on the environment of the hot spring resort area
- The area has environment, landscape, history, climate and culture etc.. for heath resort.
- The area has the plan or training course that the doctor who provides guidance on appropriate use of hot springs and health management from medical viewpoints can advise, or that the instructor who can provides guidance on appropriate use of hot springs and health management from medical viewpoints. The instructor is advised by the doctor.
- The area has appropriate action for construction of hot springs, management of sanitation, promoting public use of hot springs and universal design.
- Safety is ensured against disasters.
[3] Form of the plan of national health hot springs resort.
- Minister of the Environment forms the plan of national health hot springs resort for promoting the development and improvement of the environment of the hot springs which use facility in the hot spring area, every the resort.
- Autonomy, hoping designated to national health hot springs resorts, presents the plan to Minister of the Environment after hearing opinions about the plan.