Hot Springs Japan: Seeing Old Hot Spring Towns and Visiting Current Ones

A book by Toshio Maruo that documents the history and present state of various hot spring towns across Japan. Published by Wise Publishing in 2007.

It covers hot spring towns from Hokkaido to Kyushu, introducing their current townscapes and facilities, using old photographs and historical materials as a guide. Beyond the hot springs themselves, it focuses on various elements that shape hot spring towns, such as local history, customs, climate, environment, transportation, and communal baths.

At the time of publication, Maruo was living in Kusatsu Onsen for atopic dermatitis treatment. He used 18 communal baths and began his research for this book after hearing the question, "What should the townscape of a hot spring town be like?" in conversations with local residents, tourists, and therapeutic bathers.

This is a record that not only reminisces about past hot spring towns but also examines their present state based on their history, and encourages thought about the future of hot spring towns. It is a photographic travel book that captures Japan's hot spring towns as places where treatment, daily life, tourism, architecture, and community overlap.

[Title] Onsen Nippon: See the Old Hot Spring Towns, Visit the Current Hot Spring Towns
[Publisher] Wise Publishing
[Publication Date] July 2, 2007
[Page Count] 191 pages
[Size] Approx. 150*210*16mm / 435g
[Format] Softcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] ONSEN NIPPON FURUI ONSENMACHI O MITE IMA NO ONSENMACHI O TAZUNEYOU
[Author/Editor, etc.] Toshio Maruo / Edited, Masakichi Miyake / Book Design
[Printing] Abeism Co., Ltd. / Printing and Binding
[ISBN] 9784898302118
[Condition] Used 【6】Good to Fair
[Accessories] -
[Featured In] -
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Toshio Maruo (1961–)

Born in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture. After graduating from Kochi University, he joined Toho Kansai Kogyo.

He gained experience in film, television, and commercial production departments, as an assistant director, video editor, and videographer, and has authored and edited numerous works related to film.

At the time of this book's publication, he was living in Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture, for atopic dermatitis treatment. While utilizing communal baths, he conducted research on the history, townscapes, and daily life of hot spring towns.

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Masakichi Miyake