Onseen hot springs

Japanese hot spring

Japanese hot spring

Onsen is a word for hot springs in Japanese. Natural hot springs are everywhere and they are very popular in Japan. I have never really been to outdoor onsen before.  😥 Historically onsen was located outside but many bed and breakfast inns (ryokan) and hotels now have indoor bathing facilities. Visiting an onsen is a must if you are a first time visitor! Japan is known for its volcanoes, so there are so many hot springs (onsen) in a nature. Onsen use water from natural springs. It is different from sento (indoor public bathing places which use heated tap water). Japanese people enjoy taking bath. They take bath once a day before going to bed, and needless to say, onsen is very popular in Japan. Onsen water is good for your skin, as it contains mineral elements. Historically, men and women bathed together at the onsen and sento but single-sex bathing has been the standard. Before entering into onsen, you are expected to wash your body with soap, as cleanliness is very important to Japanese people. Most Japanese baths have small stools where you can sit on to wash yourself. You should bring your own soap and towel at most medium-range onsen. Another thing is that you are not allowed to take pictures at onsen. It is understandable that tourists get excited to be at onsen and want to take some pictures..but be careful! Especially at the traditional onsen, it is not common to wear swimsuits. Unfortunately I was never comfortable going to onsen even with my mom and sisters as a child, so I am definitely not comfortable going there right now.  😀

japanese onsen

japanese onsen

Another interesting thing is that many onsen may not allow you to use their facilities if you have large tattoos. Traditionally tattoos were often tied to Yakuza. In order to maintain the piece and the facility often put a sign refusing services to those with tatoos.

Japanese onsen are the place where you can unwind, and I highly recommend outside onsen located especially in the nature in the countryside. There are many onsen packages available.

Onsen: hot springs which come from deep underground. They use water which contain various minerals. and these places are worth visiting!!

click on the following links to check the list of hotels and inns with onsen.

http://www.jalan.net/onsen/OSN_50006.html

http://www.jalan.net/jalan/doc/etc/onsenranking/onsenranking_index.html

 

 

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