Japanese Hot Spring Bath - A Must In Your Life
The Japanese love the bathing
in hot springs. You can find several hot spring baths in japan almost
in any city.
The
water in hot spring bath is full of natural minerals which provides
great soothing and healing efect to your body, skin and rheumatism.
You
can also drink some types of water which helps to cure digestive
problems and aid the body’s metabolism. Sulphur springs are good for
drinking and treating many kinds of medical problems. Others cannot be
drunk, but are particularly beneficial for circulation problems
In
Japanese language "bathing in hot springs" is called "onsen" and
"outdoor baths" is called "rotemburo". This hot spring hot water bath
is a must if you are going to Japan.
As other bathers
share the water, you should clean yourself before entering the bath.
This hot spring hot water bath is not meant to clean yuour body but to
rejuvenate your body. You will find a routine for doing this whether in
an onsen, rotemburo.
Take
care of checking ladies bath
area by recognising Japanese characters for men= "otoko" and
women="onna" to save yourself from blush. Hardly you will find this
written in English on doors. There are rare mixed spring baths
for
men and women
both at the same place. However you can find a family room. Remember,
Japanese take great etiquettes and manners and specially at such spring
bath areas.
You will be provided a small towel to cover your body either at
changing room or at reception. .
After
undressing, and keeping your belongings in locker, you will go towards
bathing area with that small towel covering your most private body
parts. In bathroom find a stool and fill your bowl with water
and
then rinse your body first. Then use your towel to scrub your
body. If you don’t do so, you will be considered not to have
washed properly. If you will observe Japanese girls doing this you will
find how long time they take to clean up their bodies. So not to leave
an impression of a dirty "gaijin" (foriegner) take your time to scrub
your body. Cleaning each of your body part cleaning slowly,
deliberately and honestly.
After that rinse yourself thoroughly. Rinse again till there is any trace of soap. Even a small trace of soap is a crime. If you have long hair, you should tie them up. Japanese women wrap them in towel. very elegantly.
Check the temperature of the water before entering into water poo. The water can be unbearably hot for you yet the Japanese are habitual to hot water. Slowly slide yourself in so your body gets comfortable to hot water. Then sit in water very still. When your body asks you to get out come out of it.
In the last moments, rinse yourself with water from the spring, instead of using the shower. Doing so will help to remain minerals on your skin.
If you are sitting in a bath on the hillside during the winter, enjoy the view of snow fall outside the windows as the steam from the water rises up around you generally in Hokkaido prefecture. Or you can enjoy the view of rain fall on your head while soaking in a rotemburo. The natural surroundings around a spring bath is specially designed to sooth the mind and spirit. The experience of taking a Japanese bath is fantastic and unforgettable.
It vanishes up any stresses and strains, coldness, muscular pains and is a delight shared by all. Even frozen little monkeys come down from the mountainside to benefit from a soak in the hot steaming water when Nagano prefecture is covered in snow.
Some of the Hot Springs Near Tokyo
Nikko: in Nikko National Park there are several hot springs at the foot of Mount Nantai, a sacred, extinct volcano.
Hakone: One of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts. Large number of onsen in beautiful settings in a forested valley.
Kusatsu: The waters of Kusatsu Onsen are considered among Japan's best and also recommended by a German doctir Dr. von Baelz.
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