ABSTRACT
Japanese people have been utilising onsen for treatment, relaxation and recreation. This evidences the value of onsen as Japan's cultural heritage and tourism resources. Interpretation is useful for overseas visitors to understand onsen etiquette. Onsen users must be naked and share a communal bath with others. This practice is called ‘hadaka-no-tsukiai’ and represents an essential aspect of Japaneseness. It highlights the equality of all people and could enhance ties amongst them. Onsen-chi is places encompassing onsen. Some of them have issues with commercialisation and visual pollution mainly due to tourism development. Traditionally, people fully appreciate onsen, staying at onsen-chi overnight or longer. Recently, however, many people wish to enjoy onsen more easily. New onsen are excavated and no-frills hotels with onsen facilities and single-day onsen facilities are developed to meet this new demand. Ryokan and minshuku are two main types of Japanese-style inns. Generally, ryokan are superior to and more expensive than minshuku. Onsen have close associations with Japanese-style inns, especially ryokan, as onsen facilities are their key attraction factors along with guest rooms and local specialties. The buildings of some ryokan are also appreciated as Japan's cultural heritage because their value is formally acknowledged as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.
