Onsen, one of the pleasures of visiting Japan.
Japan has the largest number of hot springs in the world, with the largest number of natural springs, and each spring has its own unique characteristics and effects, so you can enjoy different properties distinct to each region.
However, there are few hot springs in urban areas. Visitors to urban areas are encouraged to try “Sento”, the public bathhouses, especially one with roots in the area. A well-established public bath lets you feel a heartwarming sense of local community amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
Public bathhouses are a familiar to locals as a public place to bathe and relax. In a sense, they are a part of daily life.
Some people go to public bathhouses every day for health purposes. This is because it is believed that by warming the core of the body, the immune system can be strenghtened and fatigue relieved. By making yourself a part of the casual life of the area, you may even hear some interesting information.
After passing through the curtain, you enter the changing room. Locals, who probably come at the same time every day, are wrapped in towels chatting about health or the local shopping district.
Entering into the bathing area, they show another side of themselves.
Each person silently goes about the various hot baths, saunas and cold water baths at their own pace.
Sometimes, seeing a visitor in the baths, a conversation may start about where they came from. Such conversations with locals can teach you many things from the perspective of a person living in the area.
After coming out of the baths, its nice to cool down with a bottle of milk in hand. Recently, various public bathhouses sometimes sell original goods. It would also be nice to someday visit the bathhouse again bringing a towel with the shop’s name emblazoned on it.