One of the selected \u201cstories\u201d is based in Tottori Prefecture in western Honshu. Said to be a place of \u201cpurification from the six roots of evil, and healing of the six senses,\u201d the site contains a temple said to be Japan\u2019s \u201cmost thrilling national treasure,\u201d as well as the \u201cworld\u2019s top radon hot springs,\u201d namely, the Misasa Hot Springs.<\/p>\n
According to legend, the Misasa Hot Springs were discovered by a white wolf. People used to purify themselves there, in mind and body, before visiting the nearby Sanbutsuji Temple on Mt. Mitoku (900m above sea level).<\/p>\n
The Nageire-do main hall of the temple (see photo<\/em>) \u2014 already designated a Japanese national treasure \u2014 was built in the late Heian period (1086-1184), an era dominated by the Imperial court in Kyoto. It is famous for its breathtaking location extending from a near-vertical mountain wall.<\/p>\n Today, 900 years after discovery of the hot springs, reverence for Mt. Mitoku continues. Temple visitors are said to be purified from the six \u201croots of evil\u201d (namely, the eye, ear, tongue, nose, body and mind), while hot spring visitors are said to get their six senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and feeling) cured.<\/p>\n The Misasa Hot Springs, the world\u2019s leading radioactive hot springs, are rich in radon. It boasts hormesis properties, which refer to the body\u2019s positive biological responses to low exposures to toxins and other stressors.<\/p>\n Specifically, the waters are said to boost the body\u2019s immunity and natural healing power, while helping to relieve bronchitis and diabetes symptoms, as well as beautifying the skin. Drinking the water is also said to have antioxidant effects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the selected \u201cstories\u201d is based in Tottori Prefecture in western Honshu. Said to be a place of \u201cpurification from the six roots of evil, and healing of the six senses,\u201d the site contains a temple said to be Japan\u2019s \u201cmost thrilling national treasure,\u201d as well as the \u201cworld\u2019s top radon hot springs,\u201d namely, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1056,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,8],"tags":[360,361,28],"class_list":["post-1055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-policies","tag-heritage","tag-misasa","tag-radiation"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t