Wednesday, August 25, 2010

温泉 (Onsen)

Onsen is the Japanese word for hot spring. In Japan, onsens were once used as places for public bathing. Now, they are popular spots for domestic tourism and often surrounded by a ryokan, or hotel/resort. There are many different types of onsen, including indoor and outdoor facilities. Onsens are located near volcanoes and the naturally hot spring water is used to fill large baths. It is said that the onsen water has medicinal properties and it is the popular belief that soaking in an onsen is a good way to heal aches, pains, and other things such as regulating blood pressure and improving the skin.

The ryokan that I am staying at, Fujishima Ryokan, is a resort for people who want to use the onsen as well as for permanent residents and short term residents. The onsen that the ryokan houses is an indoor one, with natural hot spring water.

Although the onsens are more popular during the winter, there have been many people around during the summer as well. It is especially busy during holidays and on weekends. The majority of the visitors are middle aged or elderly, but occasionally there are some young couples and groups that come in. I even saw a few foreigners from Australia one weekend. Many people who visit the onsen that I live at are locals from the Kawatabi and Naruko area who pop in regularly.

There are four onsens in Fujishima Ryokan: Two separate large ones for men and women and two separate small ones for men and women. The small ones are equipped with soap and shampoo and are slightly more expensive than the large ones. Both onsens have shower heads, buckets, and stools to sit on. You must shower before you get into the onsen and I usually shower afterwards as well, because the water doesn't always look so clean. However, I haven't been using the onsens lately because it is too hot.

Anyways, I was finally able to snap some shots of the onsens in the early mornings before they were occupied.
Large onsen

Large onsen

Large onsen

Onsen Etiquette

Large Onsen Locker room

Small Onsen

Small Onsen

Small Onsen Showers

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