I have now had several experiences where I have stripped down in front of strangers and friends and taken a shower. After I shower with strangers and friends, I step into a bath and relax, in the nude, with these strangers and friends.
Technically, an Onsen, in Japan, is defined by the temperature of the water, usually with a temperature over 25 °C and should contain 19 essential minerals designated by the Japanese Environmental Agency. Also the water must have its origins from a volcanic spring. However, the term has now been expanded to define the general process of bathing in Japan.
One first strips down and places their clothing and belongings into a basket in the changing room. Then, covered by a hand towel, one migrates to the shower room. The shower room is a room lined with shower heads, very similar to a shower room in a high school-the ones that are no longer used, ever. After one showers thoroughly, it is time to step into the hot bath located in the shower room and relax. After relaxing in the hot bath one will usually rinse off one more time before heading back out to the changing room.
When I first found out I might be attending an Onsen on my weekend trip to Nagano I was nervous. However, with most things that make me nervous I later realized that the thought of it was more terrifying than the process itself.
After a beautiful hike and a lovely lunch with Matobason we quickly made the decision to attend an outdoor Onsen. The Onesen we chose to attend was closing at 6:00 pm and we were arriving at 5:30. This Onsen was supposed to be one of the best in the area so we decided we would rush through the process in order for us to have the experience. This made my first time much easier. We quickly bolted out of the car, paid 300 yen, and sprinted towards the changing room. We stripped down as fast as we could and hurried over to the showers. When the shower was over it was time to relax in a beautiful outdoor hot spring with a lovely view of the surrounding mountains.
Once inside the Onsen I could have stayed for hours! It wasn't awkward, it was too relaxing to be awkward. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to simmer in the hot mineral water. We rinsed off, got dressed and left just as quickly as we had come.
I have heard of an Onsen in the next city over from Nagakute that has baths with different scents, textures, and temperatures. On Wednesday nights it is only 350 yen! I can't wait to try it out!
Ooh, and I should mention--these Onsens are always same sex.
Technically, an Onsen, in Japan, is defined by the temperature of the water, usually with a temperature over 25 °C and should contain 19 essential minerals designated by the Japanese Environmental Agency. Also the water must have its origins from a volcanic spring. However, the term has now been expanded to define the general process of bathing in Japan.
One first strips down and places their clothing and belongings into a basket in the changing room. Then, covered by a hand towel, one migrates to the shower room. The shower room is a room lined with shower heads, very similar to a shower room in a high school-the ones that are no longer used, ever. After one showers thoroughly, it is time to step into the hot bath located in the shower room and relax. After relaxing in the hot bath one will usually rinse off one more time before heading back out to the changing room.
When I first found out I might be attending an Onsen on my weekend trip to Nagano I was nervous. However, with most things that make me nervous I later realized that the thought of it was more terrifying than the process itself.
 |
| This is not the Onsen we went to. But it is very similar! Relaxing, beautiful. |
Once inside the Onsen I could have stayed for hours! It wasn't awkward, it was too relaxing to be awkward. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to simmer in the hot mineral water. We rinsed off, got dressed and left just as quickly as we had come.
I have heard of an Onsen in the next city over from Nagakute that has baths with different scents, textures, and temperatures. On Wednesday nights it is only 350 yen! I can't wait to try it out!
Ooh, and I should mention--these Onsens are always same sex.
Comments
Post a Comment