Towards a Nude Architecture: A Visual Compendium of Japanese Hot Springs

A deep dive into the hidden world of Japanese hot springs, from fabled origins to modern manifestations

As one of the most volcanically active geographies in the world, the islands of Japan gush with nearly 30,000 naturally occurring hot springs, or onsen, of varying temperatures, colors and mineral compositions. When superimposed over the country's history, their timeline winds its way through ancient religions, warring empires, medical marvels and modern day pop-culture, forming a vital pa...