The Joy of the Onsen

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Journal Jazzi

When I went to Japan I had the opportunity to enjoy an onsen. This is a public bath, or a bath you take with others. I was able to do this with a Japanese friend and it was very relaxing!

If you don’t know about an onsen then I will let you know now!

You must shower first, on what is basically a floor. The floor is designed like a shower, but you must sit. You have a stool to sit on and wash from there. After, you can go into the bath. A bath in Japan is for soaking and relaxing. So no dirty bodies please! You can’t wear a towel or any article of clothing. Basically you must be quite comfortable with bathing with others. This seems rather odd for many Americans, but the Japanese are a group centered society. They see it as normal and are quite respectful. So don’t worry too much about being a naked foreigner.

*warning, the onsen is extremely hot spring water. It has minerals and again, super hot, even more so than a hot tub! When I soaked in the bath with my friend I could only do 10 minutes maybe. LOL

After that you take a quick shower to wash off the minerals of the bath. Then you dry in the dressing room and sleep like a baby that’s just been fed. HA

When I visited my other friend I had the opportunity to try the onsen again. Unfortunately my little red friend decided to visit me. DARN!

The onsen I couldn’t go to was located in a nice resort town in Hokkaido. I have the following pictures to show the town and all its relaxing glory. I will love to travel to this place again and enjoy the onsen with others.

As you can tell I have no inhibitions. How do they say, “When in Japan, do as the Japanese do!”