Japanese hot spring spas are booming back now. Since 1993 economic depression, people have a lot of stress from restructuring, over working/studying, and the suicide rate has been drastically on the rise. Because of that, Japanese people started searching for ways to relax their minds and bodies. More facilities for alternative medicine and self-healing such as hot spring spa, massage therapy, yoga studios and organic cafes, have been filling up empty business offices. Normally Japanese people who are tired just go there to heal their stress and pain in their bodies. However, people who have been to hospitals for many years for their chronic diseases are paying much more attention to try out many alternative therapies.

        People around the world may know that Japanese people are very enthusiastic about traveling. It is comical to observe a bunch of Japanese tourists wearing almost the same things, carrying cameras on their shoulders, and walking towards tourist spots. However, the concept of ‘traveling’ for Japanese originally comes from the ‘pilgrimage walk’ to Shinto shrines around the country. The Ise Shrine at the east bay in Mie prefecture has been one of the popular shrines since the ninth century, because it deifies the ancestor of the Imperial Family called, ‘Amaterasu O-mikami’ (God of shining heaven). Many people used to make a pilgrimage by walking or a cow wagon. Eventually ryokan, Japanese style hotels were built around the area for travelers. When hotel owners discovered the hot spring source, they dug out the source and built communal hot baths for traveler’s relaxation. The Shrines are still important for Japanese cultures, but the main purpose for their travel has switched to visiting modern leisure facilities and hot-spring hotels now.