Onsen Moments
Being an active volcanic archipelago, Japan is home to thousands of natural mineral-rich hot springs. From sento to onsen, bathing has been an essential ritual and part of Japanese culture since ancient times. One that can be enjoyed in many different ways and that I highly recommend...
Close to a mindful meditative experience for many, onsen can offer serene moments to heal, relax, revive, cleanse and purify our body and soul.
By far my favourite type of onsen is a rotenburo -outdoor bath- mostly because you can find some in the middle of breathtaking scenic beauty.
Soaking in hot spring water while being able to enjoy incredible views, feeling connected to nature, and finding inner peace is indeed something rather special.
Bathing in both communal (the baths are separated by gender) or private spaces is almost always done in the nude and comes with its own etiquette to respect. First, you need to wash your body using the shower head, products, bucket and stool often provided by the side of the bath. You need to rinse yourself entirely from all products before entering the water to make sure it is kept pure. No towels are allowed, unless you wish to use a small tenugui that you can place on your head, but it is very important it does not touch the water.
Now it is time to soak, relax, be present in the moment and reconnect with yourself.
Allow each experience to take you on a journey...
Discover my memorable onsen experiences with some anecdotes in my guide 'Moments in Japan', and a very special place with a twist if, like me, you can feel a little uncomfortable being naked in communal baths.
We have had the privilege to stay in some magnificent traditional ryokan and hotels that have private baths, both indoor or outdoor, in their guest rooms (note that not all of them use hot spring water), or that provide baths that can be reserved for a more private relaxed time, or can be enjoyed with your partner.
These options not only help if you feel a little shy or uncomfortable with the communal baths, but also if you have tattoos, as they are more than often forbidden.
Unfortunately, I do not have my own rotenburo or onsen at home, but I do try to enjoy some calming bathing moments when I can, as a way to step out of the busy day-to-day, while being mindful of water consumption. When I do, I always add some Japanese elements through fragrances (hinoki incense, essential oil, candle, bath salt,...) and objects to make it extra special!