Onsen

image by photoeverywhere

Before we start on the topic of onsen, I apologise for the delay in my posts. I’ve been having some technical difficulties with my laptop recently. It’s temporarily resolved for now, but updates might be infrequent, and I’m sorry about that.

Onsen means hot spring in Japanese. There are thousands of hot springs in Japan and most of them has establishments built around them: bathhouses, resorts, ryokans, etc. Japanese people have a way of appreciating nature, and most of these buildings complement the natural pools. There are indoor and outdoor pools, and the waters have different qualities, depending on the minerals in them. They have healing powers and there is a very developed bath culture in Japan. A soak in the onsen is for relaxing purposes.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to visit one:

• Onsen are not for cleansing. Before you enter the pool, there’ll be an area where you can wash yourself off. Carefully wash all the soap off, too. Make sure your hair is out of the water - so tie it up if it’s long. You can bring a little tower with you, but don’t let it fall into the pool. Some people fold it and keep it on the top of their head while relaxing in the water :)
• Undress in the changing room. Yes, you go in naked. There are separate pools for men and women, but there are some mixed pools. Good to know which one you’re entering! You can ask if they have a private or a family pool, as well.
• They won’ t let you in if you have tatoos. Period.
• Enter the pool gradually, because the temperature is high. For this matter, come out before you feel faint.

If you want immersion in traditional Japanese experience, go to a ryokan which has onsen. Ryokan are hotels built in traditional Japanese style and offer many things, for example, beautifully arranged traditional Japanese style dinner.

Have you ever been to a ryokan? Would you want to try it out?

(And what topic should the next post cover? I’d love you input!)