How we verify

Most travel writing is assembled from other travel writing. A number gets copied, then copied again, until repetition starts passing for proof, and nobody ever goes back to the spring. We went back to the spring. This page is the record of how we did it, and of what we refused to print when the evidence wasn’t there.

The method

Applied to every claim we publish

Seven standards hold this record together. These four are how we work.

Primary sources first

Japanese, official, and clicked. We build up from the primary record, never down from a secondary republish.

Verify, or omit

If we cannot source a figure, it does not appear. Silence beats a plausible number.

Everything dated, everything traceable

Each claim carries its provenance and the date it was last checked.

Corrections are public

We keep a visible log of what we changed, and when.

Independence

The commitments that cannot be bought

Three standards protect the one asset we will not spend: a mark that cannot be purchased.

Independence

The commitments that cannot be bought

Three standards protect the one asset we will not spend: a mark that cannot be purchased.

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Outside investors

The Society is independently funded. No external investors, no institutional backers.

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Outside investors

The Society is independently funded. No external investors, no institutional backers.

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Paid placements

We do not accept payment for coverage, inclusion, or ranking. Commissions on reader bookings are disclosed every time.

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Paid placements

We do not accept payment for coverage, inclusion, or ranking. Commissions on reader bookings are disclosed every time.

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Named accountability

Steve H. Yu, Executive Director, is answerable for everything published here.

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Named accountability

Steve H. Yu, Executive Director, is answerable for everything published here.

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Editorial control

Coverage is decided by the standard, never by a sponsor.

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Editorial control

Coverage is decided by the standard, never by a sponsor.

A standard is only real if it costs you something. Here is what we found when we checked the claims everyone prints, and what we did about it.

Woman with eyes closed, calm and relaxed

Corrections

What we got wrong, and fixed

This list will keep growing, because we expect to keep being wrong.

Corrections

What we got wrong, and fixed

This list will keep growing, because we expect to keep being wrong.

The pH we left out

We could not find an official 温泉分析書 for several springs, so we published the water type qualitatively and left the pH out. There are figures we still do not print.

The pH we left out

We could not find an official 温泉分析書 for several springs, so we published the water type qualitatively and left the pH out. There are figures we still do not print.

The pH we left out

We could not find an official 温泉分析書 for several springs, so we published the water type qualitatively and left the pH out. There are figures we still do not print.

Takimotokan: 1858 became 1888

'Founded 1858' was repeated everywhere. The inn's own history shows 1858 was when its founder arrived in Hokkaido; it opened in 1888. We corrected ourselves.

Takimotokan: 1858 became 1888

'Founded 1858' was repeated everywhere. The inn's own history shows 1858 was when its founder arrived in Hokkaido; it opened in 1888. We corrected ourselves.

Takimotokan: 1858 became 1888

'Founded 1858' was repeated everywhere. The inn's own history shows 1858 was when its founder arrived in Hokkaido; it opened in 1888. We corrected ourselves.

The pass that 'saves ¥2,000'

We removed the claim. We did the arithmetic. It never does.

The pass that 'saves ¥2,000'

We removed the claim. We did the arithmetic. It never does.

The pass that 'saves ¥2,000'

We removed the claim. We did the arithmetic. It never does.

Corrections & updates

Japan Onsen Society

Found something we got wrong?

Tell us. We keep a public log, and we would rather fix it than defend it.

Find your waters

Scenic valley view with vibrant rice fields

How we verify

Applied to every claim we publish

Primary sources first

Verify, or omit

Everything dated, everything traceable

Corrections are public

The commitments that cannot be bought

The commitments that cannot be bought

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100%

A standard is only real if it costs you something. Here is what we found when we checked the claims everyone prints, and what we did about it.

What we got wrong, and fixed

What we got wrong, and fixed

The pH we left out

The pH we left out

The pH we left out

Takimotokan: 1858 became 1888

Takimotokan: 1858 became 1888

Takimotokan: 1858 became 1888

The pass that 'saves ¥2,000'

The pass that 'saves ¥2,000'

The pass that 'saves ¥2,000'

Japan Onsen Society

Found something we got wrong?

The authoritative editorial registry of Japan's geothermal heritage

The authoritative editorial registry of Japan's geothermal heritage