3-1 Summarizing an Academic Essay

About Hot Springs

Do you know about hot springs? They are called “onsen” and are very popular and famous in Japan. In general, hot springs are places where hot water comes up from the ground. It isn’t just hot water, it contains more than one component; radon, radium, sulfur, lithium-ion and so on. The history of hot springs is really old; the oldest recording bring from 638 AD. In the past, the purpose of going to hot springs was for the treatment of diseases, but people today enjoy going to hot springs for pleasure. Hot springs have been loved by many Japanese people since early times and are popular sightseeing spots.

First, the custom of soaking in a tub is tradition for Japanese people and is the reason why hot springs are popular in Japan. They take a bath not only to clean their bodies and hair but also to get rid of their tiredness. They enjoy going to hot springs, and they believe in its healing powers at the same time. Soaking in hot springs is a pastime for Japanese people, and it is one of the reason why the hot springs are popular in Japan. Also, people don’t mind being naked in front of one another. This is a peculiar custom in Japanese culture.

Second, people want to go to hot springs because hot springs have various healing attributes depending on the kind of components in them. For instance, hot springs help with strength recovery, stress relief, coldness in hands and feet, stiff shoulders, rheumatism, beautiful skin and so on. It is impossible to decide with absolute certainty whether hot springs are really effective or not, but it is true that these attributes are appealing for Japanese people, especially for the rejuvenating effectiveness for beautiful skin on woman.

Third, hot springs are popular sightseeing spots. Many people visit hot springs for family trips and many tourists visit them as well which builds the tourist industry in Japan. Since 2003, there has been a movement that has made the word “onsen” widely known; especially in the cities of Kusatsu and Beppu. The word  “onsen” doesn’t directly translate to saying hot springs or spa because the words such as hot spring and spa are different from the general imaging of “Onsen”. Foreign tourists with the purpose of going to hot springs and English websites that talk about hot springs have increased because of this movement.

Finally, I think hot springs are a symbol that the Japanese culture is proud of because of its old history and many benefits. Also, people can enjoy going to hot springs while understanding Japanese culture. I want the movement that makes “onsen” widely known to become more popular all over the world.  I want a lot of other country’s people to enjoy going to hot springs and to know this word as well.