One of the great delights of Japan is its onsen (hot springs). Tens of thousands of steaming artesian oases dot the volcanic archipelago, welcoming the chilly with warmth, and the tired and sore with therapeutic succor. And for onsen enthusiasts, the island of Kyushu is one of the best places in Japan for some quality bathing.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, Kyushu boasts almost 21,000 facilities with onsen. Every minute, 695,000 liters of hot-spring water wells up from Kyushu's volcanic interior.

Author Chris Ott in situ | CHRIS OTT
Author Chris Ott in situ | CHRIS OTT