Awazu Onsen Awazu Onsen Away Onsen claims to have been founded by the shugendō monk Taichō in the Nara period. Taichō was a native of neighbouring Echizen Province and is said to have been the first person to have claimed Mount Hakusan, from which the hot springs at Awazu Onsen have their source. Although it is a small resort with few more than ten "ryokan", each inn has its own well, rather than using a common source. The Hōshi Ryokan, founded in 718 AD was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest hot spring innfounded in 705.
Onsen found in some onsens with poor sanitation. Revelations of poor sanitary practices at some onsens have led to improved regulation by hot-spring communities to maintain their reputation. There have been reports of infectious disease found in hot bodies of water worldwide, such as various "Naegleria" species. While studies have found the presence of "Naegleria" in hot spring waters, the worrisome "Naegleria fowleri" amoeba has not been identified. Nevertheless, fewer than five cases have been seen historically in Japan, although not conclusively linked to onsen exposure. Many onsens display notices reminding anyone with open cuts, sores, or lesions not to bathe.