Bandai Atami Onsen, building in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
Bandai Atami Onsen is a hot spring area in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, known for its sulfur-rich water. The town consists of small inns and bathhouses built around natural springs, with shops and restaurants lining the quiet streets.
The hot spring has existed for about 800 years, rooted in local healing traditions. A key legend from this era tells of a sick woman guided by divine instruction to visit the spring and recover her health, which established the site's reputation as a sanctuary.
The name 'Atami' means 'hot sea,' reflecting the area's long connection to thermal springs. Local stories, especially about Hagihime, a woman from Kyoto who regained her health here, continue to shape how people view this place as a source of beauty and healing.
Visitors should know that many baths are outdoors and located in a mountain climate where temperatures vary significantly with the seasons. While moving between inns and bathhouses, guests traditionally wear light cotton robes, and swimwear is not permitted in the baths.
The area is celebrated every August with the Hagihime Festival, which brings street vendors, dance performances, and markets to the town. This event keeps the old legend alive and shows how deeply the connection between the place and the story of healing remains rooted in the community today.
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