HISTORY
From ancient to medieval times
Manza Onsen has a long history, and it is still unclear who first discovered it. Yayoi-style earthenware and other artifacts have been found in the Kumashiro’s Cave. This proves that the ancients have found and used the hot springs here. The “Memorandum of Kazawa Heijizaemon” indicates that while Haneo, the ruler of the entire region in the early Warring States period, was staying at Manza Onsen to practice hot spring cure, the region was raided and destroyed by Kamahara, who was once chased away from his castle. This indicates that senior samurai had already been visiting Manza for 400 years and that Manza Onsen was a communal hot spring used by many people.
From Warring States to Edo period
The Manza area did not seem to be of much interest to people from the late Warring States period to the Edo period, and no Manza-related anecdotes have been found from those eras. This is because although Manza’s water benefits were widely known, it was situated deep inside the mountains, which was an inconvenience for those seeking to practice hot spring cure coming from far away at the time. We also know that Manza Onsen has been treated as a secluded hot spring as the village’s common property until the recent times due to the aforementioned reason.
“Manza Hot Spring is located in a deep mountain valley, where there is no traffic of cattle or horses, and it is also difficult for humans to get there. But once you visit this hot spring, you will never have headaches, asthma, female hormonal imbalances, colic, chest congestion, etc. again.” (From “The Memorandum of Kazawa Heijizaemon”)
From the Meiji period to the modern times
By the middle of the Meiji Period(1868-1912), Manza, which had been a simple hot spring resort with only a few small huts scattered around, began to attract more and more visitors, and the construction of bathhouses was gradually encouraged. But it was not until the construction of roads and ski resorts (1960: Opening of the Manza Kanko Hotel [present Manza Prince Hotel]) following the development of tourism (Manza’s development started in 1921) that Manza Onsen turned into what it is today. History tells us that Manza was a very inconvenient place, but it is clear that Manza Onsen, a precious thermal bathhouse blessed with magnificent views and great natural resources, has been loved by many people from immemorial times.
