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A "National Recreation Hot Spring Area" is a hot spring area designated by the Ministry of the Environment as a region where the effects of using hot springs can be fully expected and which meets the conditions of a healthy hot spring area. The designation of National Recreation Hot Spring Areas began in 1954, and to date, 91 areas have been designated nationwide.

Hirayu Onsen, a National Recreation Hot Spring Area

To be designated as a National Recreation Hot Spring Area, several conditions related to "the efficacy, yield, and temperature of the hot spring" and "the environment of the hot spring area" must be met. In Gifu Prefecture, Okuhida Onsenkyo (Shinhirayu, Shin-Hotaka, Tochio, Fukuchi Onsen), Okuhida Onsenkyo Hirayu Onsen, Hirase Onsen, and Kosaka Onsenkyo (Yuya, Shimojima, Nigori Onsen) have received this designation.