In 1614, the Honda family, together with the Shimada clan, opened the first bathhouse in Obama, and in 1684, they received the title of "Honda Yutayu" by order of the lord of Shimabara domain. Since then, the Honda family worked hard to maintain and develop the Obama Hot Spring, including the development of local specialties and the construction of the Obama Railroad. The former residence of the Honda family is now used as the Obama Town History Museum, where their works and the history of Obama Hot Spring are exhibited. The hot spring water gushing out from its compound is still used by public bathhouses and residential houses in the surrounding area today.