Pop Japan

Plunging in the steaming hot water of the onsen (hot spring) during winter is one of the best experiences Japan has to offer.

You can also feel the same level of relaxation in sento (public baths). In a country full of polite people, they respect the others who also wanted to enjoy the natural spring water; thus, they will refrain from polluting the immaculate water of the onsen, and will dip nothing but their bodies.

Bathing in 40-degree-celsius onsen is not for the sake of cleansing the body, but to solely pamper it; hence, it is considered rude if one doesn’t take a bath before touching the tension-relieving water. There are also strict onsen inns that still prohibit those who have irezumi or tattoos.

Aside from giving a relaxing sensation, frequent bathing in onsen is like soaking to the fountain of youth, a pool of health benefits. Depending on the minerals included in the hot spring water, it can even control rheumatism, neuralgia, hypertension, and skin diseases.

Kawaguchiko Onsen (Yamanashi)

Beppu Onsen (Oita)

Noboritetsu Onsen (Hokkaido)

Atami Onsen (Shizuoka)