Interview × Onsen

Kannawa onsen , located in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, is said to be related to Ippen shonin, who spread the dancing nenbutsu to the people. Actually, he is said to be the founder of the Kannawa onsen.
It has prospered as a famous onsen resort since the Kamakura period and is still famous.
Beppu has the largest number of spring sources and the largest amount of spring water in Japan, and you may have once seen the cityscape of onsen seen from Beppu Bay.
We interviewed a traditional Japanese inn in the onsen town of Beppu.
Shinkiya-ryokan Spring steam(YUKEMURI) Onsen（Interview 2020/11/9）

Onsen in Beppu

Q.　Beppu is famous for onsen nationwide, so what are the characteristics?

A.　Beppu has the largest number of onsen, and the amount of onsen that spring out is also the largest in Japan, so there are various types of onsen such as chloride onsen and sulfate onsen.
There are many onsen and inns, and the onsen can be said to be a symbol of Beppu.
Beppu has prospered as Toji(hot-spring cure) place since ancient times.

Toji

Q.　Toji is an unfamiliar word, but what does it mean?

A.　As the name shows, Toji is a treatments by taking onsen for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day.
Currently, many customers come to our ryokan for the purpose of treating neuralgia such as joints.

Effect of onsen

Q.　What kind of effect does onsen have?

A.　I think the number one effect of hot springs is to warm our body. It seems to be very good for the body because the blood flow improves as the body warms up. Especially here at Kannawa onsen, we can warm up to the core of our body because the onsen source is 100％ natural, so it is warm even after we leave the hot spring.
In addition, taking a hot spring has a relaxing effect, so we can relieve our tiredness, and everyone will be able to return home with a good complexion as well as their body.

Current Toji

Q.　Please tell me about current Toji.

A.　Currently, the number of places where only Toji are available has decreased compared to the past, but there are still many ryokans that do Toji together with accommodation.
This "Shinkiya Ryokan" was founded in the early Showa period. And in the old days, many people stayed for a long time for the purpose of Toji. Recently, the number of people who stay for a long time has decreased, but there are also guests who stay for about a week in order to do "petit Toji".
There are also ryokans like this Shinkiya ryokan that offer meals to guests who come for Toji.
At a relaxing time that is different from usual life, after eating delicious food from the local area, to take onsen. I think this series make Toji more effective.

Summary

I think that the most important relationship between hot springs and immunity is the relaxing effect of "taking onsen".
By "taking onsen" that is different from usual, you can change your mood and refresh yourself mentally, and it will also relieve your daily fatigue and stress.
Furthermore, immunity is said to be greatly influenced by the mental aspect.
In other words, it can be said that onsen can have a positive effect on immunity in terms of spirit.
And also, the ingredients contained in onsen are said to have the effect of maintaining body temperature for a long time, and by keeping body temperature high for a long time, blood circulation can be promoted.
Since the number of lymphocytes that play a major role in immunity increases when blood circulation is good, it can be said that onsen are also effective in maintaining good blood circulation and having a positive effect on immunity.

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