Value the Water Itself.
Evaluating the true value of onsen water, and carrying it into the future.
Yuchelin is a non-profit association that evaluates and certifies the value of the water itself, from the source to the bath, independently of any commercial interest.
Japan is home to about 7% of the world's volcanoes and is a nation of hot springs. Yet in a lifetime we meet only a fraction of them. When choosing an onsen, have you ever judged by the quality of the water that actually reaches the bath?
Yuchelin's Three Promises
We accept no payment
from facilities.
We never ask onsen facilities to bear any cost for evaluation or certification. Certification cannot be bought, and we do not sell it.
Support and recommendations
do not affect evaluation.
Whether you are a supporting member, how much you give, how many recommendations a facility receives: none of it touches the stars.
Experts examine the water
itself, on site.
Beyond reading the analysis report, we visit to check the distance and time from source to bath, and the state of heating, dilution, circulation, disinfection and cleaning.
What Yuchelin Does
Evaluation & Certification
Three stages — research and analysis, on-site inspection, expert evaluation — to verify and certify the value of the water.
Award
Results are announced once a year as the Yuchelin Award and shared in Japan and abroad.
MAP & Media
Yuchelin MAP for finding certified onsen, plus seasonal news from the facilities, delivered to members.
Members & Regions
Working with supporting members, onsen regions, researchers and businesses to pass on onsen culture and support sustainable local development.
Support & Participate
Become a Supporting Member
Individuals ¥10,000/year per unit, organizations ¥30,000/year per unit. Includes Yuchelin MAP, online seminars and the latest news on certified onsen.
ApplyFounding Crowdfunding
Until October 20, 2026. Funds go to the founding-year Award, the official site and MAP, and the 2027 nationwide survey.
Become an Inspector
In preparation for full operation in fiscal 2027. Recruitment will be announced on this site.
COMING SOONFive founding members,
a Council of seven.
Founded by five specialists — an onsen specialist, a bath sommelier, a historic onsen architecture specialist, a tourism researcher and an engineering researcher — and overseen by a Council of experts in balneology, onsen science, tourism studies and onsen criticism.
Organization →
