In the Japanese language, the word Onsen means Natural Hot Springs. There are thousands of highly popular Onsens all across Japan. Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns, which come with them. The Onsen experience is an integral part of Japan’s history and has been around for centuries. Although Onsens first became ultra popular as destinations in themselves sometime during the Heian Period, many onsens have a history dating back to the earliest years of Japanese settlement. It is likely that the Ainu and wildlife made use of the thermal waters even before this. For example the Yunoyama Onsen in the Suzuka Kokutei Park near Gozaisho-Dake in Mie, not far west of Nagoya, was located in the eighth century by hunters who discovered that deer were enjoying a good hot soak in its waters - to this day Yunoyama's nickname remains "Deer Onsen".