ONSEN
Healing
β version
How to Enjoy Onsen
Go with the flow...
Visitors to Japan often miss out on the simple delights of hot springs, or onsen. While stripping off and hopping into a hot bath with strangers might sound intimidating, any sense of bashfulness disappears once you've slipped into the water. In the bathing place, the feeling of relaxation and well-being overwhelms the ego and self-consciousness. Simply let yourself go and be blessed by the water. You will find that people respect each others' personal experience in a completely natural way. But if you do make conversation with fellow soakers, you may learn about intriguing aspects of the local village.
Reach a mental state completely free of all thoughts and desires...
Spiritual state of nothingness
Spirit of consideration
Go to a Popular Hot Spring near Studio Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
Did you know that there is a natural hot spring with unique black water in West Tokyo, not far from the popular Studio Ghibli Museum and just next to Jindaiji Temple. Relax in the cosy interior and enjoy the nature's blessings with this onsen set!
Special Onsen with Lunch Package
Onsen manners
The first rule of proper onsen etiquette is to enjoy yourself without bothering others. Attention to the consideration of others is an integral aspect of joy of onsen. Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has produced a humorous comic to help visitors unfamiliar with the ways of onsen to understand the ropes.
"Some onsen allows the wearing of a swimsuit but these are essentially swimming pools, unlike a typical onsen for soaking.
Note that while it's normal to place a wet hot towel on the head when soaking in an outdoor bath, when soaking in an indoor bath, some people put a cold towel on their heads."
"Another reason cold water from the tap is never added to the water is because it is absent of vital minerals, which bring maximum benefits to the body."
"Try an electric bath! It may tingle a bit, but the benefits are worth the unusual sensation. In an electric bath, one's muscles are directly in the path of the current, which causes them to contract. This contraction is said to have the same effect on the muscles as stretching. There is also a foot bath, usually just next to the onsen pool, which is often free of charge."