Awara Onsen

Awara Onsen
芦原温泉
Ashiyu Awara bathhouse
Map
LocationAwara, Fukui, Japan
Coordinates36°13′30″N 136°11′40″E / 36.22500°N 136.19444°E / 36.22500; 136.19444
Elevation0 meters
Typeslightly alkaline; lithium
Temperature33,5 - 77.5 deg C
Awara Onsen is located in Japan
Awara Onsen

Awara Onsen (芦原温泉, Awara onsen) is a hot spring resort in the city of Awara, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.[1]

History

In 1883, a farmer discovered the mineral spring while digging an irrigation well[2] and hit an 80 °C (176 °F) saline hot spring. By the following year, several onsen hotels had already opened and attracted visitors[3] for especially for long-term health care. With the opening of the Japanese Government Railways Mikuni Line in 1911 and the Keifuku Electric Railway Mikuni Ishihara Line (currently the Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line) in 1928, the area developed rapidly.[4] However, the area suffered great damage in 1948 Fukui earthquake, and most of its historic buildings were lost in a great fire of 1956.[4]

The onsen hotels were rebuilt with modern materials afterwards, and the onsen remains a designation for visitors[4] especially from the Kansai region and Chubu regions of Japan.

Awara Onsen does not have joint management of the hot springs. Each hotel has several hot spring wells and therefore the spring water varies from source to source.[2]

Public footbaths

There are three free public footbaths (ashiyu) that are open to locals and visitors. One of the footbaths is located between the onsen-chi (center of town) and the railroad station. Another footbath in town charges a fee.[5]

Location

The onsen town is reached by car from Kanazawa, the ride is between 35 minutes and an hour; or can be accessed by local trains and some express rail trains. [2]

  • Ashiyu Awara Onsen soaking tub
    Ashiyu Awara Onsen soaking tub
  • Footbath in Awara onsen town
    Footbath in Awara onsen town
  • Ahi-yu in Awara Onsen
    Ahi-yu in Awara Onsen
  • Sentopia Awara bathhouse
    Sentopia Awara bathhouse

References

  1. ^ "湯の街あわら 源泉かけ流しで「湯ったり」". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  2. ^ a b c "Day trip from Kanazawa to Awara Onsen". Kanazawa Station. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  3. ^ 奥山秀範「ふくい歴史回廊～芦原温泉 昭和初期に躍進」Fukui Shimbun, 2015年11月27日号 19面
  4. ^ a b c "再訪！沿線点描：JR西日本". www.westjr.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  5. ^ Jimura, Takamitsu (2021). Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Japan. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780429671630. Retrieved 4 April 2024.


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