We have spoken several times about the Japanese people who live on tourism for their baths. As Japan a mountainous country where land is still active volcanoes and hot springs and mineral are quite common. And widely used, of course, for many, many years.
Some villages have been built around this type of tourism and many have survived over the centuries and are now double destinations, pleasure and welfare, cultural and historical. The truth is that the onsen in Japan are very large and very popular too.
Each region has its own bunch of onsen and onsen resort towns. There is, however, many types of onsen and are classified according to the minerals that are present in the water. Each mineral provides different health benefits but in general all spas aim to relax the body and soul.
There are varieties of onsen: those who are covered roof, which are outdoors, which are mixed and those that are only for women and for men only. There are also less and more developed. Many belong to an onsen ryokan, the traditional Japanese guest houses but many others are public bathhouses.
If you want the full experience it is best to stay in a ryokan with onsen but if you do not afford the same You can sleep in a cheaper place and pay separate entry into the hot bath. Either way, it is an experience not to miss your going to Japan. Seriously. Write down the names:
- There are many onsen in Hakone, near Tokyo, in the middle of the valley and the shores of Lake Ashi.
- In Gunma Prefecture are the Minakami onsen, Kusatsu Okah and, for example.
- To stay in touch with nature you can swim in the Shiretoko National Park onsen.
Tags: Japanese pleasure, Onsen, public bathhouses, tourism, traditional Japanese