Even injured racehorses benefit from a therapeutic cure at a hot spring. The mineral water is effective in treating damaged joints, tendons and ligaments. It can also relieve a horse's fatigue and stress, just as it does for humans.

Put in some money, and out comes mineral water from a hot spring. Fill your containers with the water, and then take them home to convert your tub into a mini spa. Some companies offer the convenience of mineral water delivered to your door.

The eggs are heated for about half an hour in mineral water or vapor at a temperature of around 65 to 70 °C (149 to 158 °F).The lightly "boiled" eggs are sold as a delicacy in hot spring resorts throughout Japan.

Manju cakes are often made and sold at hot spring resorts. Most are made in factories today, but in the old days they were steamed in the vapor rising from hot spring pools.

Hot springs are used to melt snow from roads in some heavy snowfall areas. There are many ways to do it: in Kusatsu-machi, Gunma Prefecture, steam is channeled through pipes located under the road; in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture (shown in photo), a special liquid heated by geothermal energy is released onto the road.