Recently, tours to Japan are becoming increasingly popular. This country with a long history attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world. However, special interest today arises in the hot springs of Japan.
Description
Hot springs in Japan - this is a common vacation spot for locals and visitors. As you know, this island state has a high level of volcanic and seismic activity. This, in turn, leads to the creation of various faults in the soil and the formation of improvised reservoirs in them.
Some of them have thermal water, which first attracted animals, and then humans. An interesting fact: in Japan, monkeys in hot springs like to spend quite a lot of time, especially in winter.
In a country known for its cool climate, especially in mountainous areas, hot springs are of particular importance and value not only as hot spots, but also as complexes of wellness procedures. Small settlements immediately began to form around them, or people began to live as close to them as possible. The thermal springs in Japan have developed a special relationship, and a whole culture of their use has appeared.
Onsen
Currently, there are more than 2,000 bathing springs in Japan. Onsen in Japan, also called onsen, has long been used for heating and wellness bathing. In the sources, the water is saturated with hydrogen sulfide, iron, saline solutions and carbonated with carbon dioxide.
They are divided into two types: open, when hot water is used in the same reservoir in which it was formed, and closed. In the latter version, thermal water is served in special indoor rooms, in bathtubs, which are called ofuro. The main difference between onsen and ordinary Japanese baths - sento (sento) - is that in the first only thermal mineral water is used. In ordinary baths, simple water is heated with boilers.
Today, a whole infrastructure is being formed around such sources, starting from changing rooms, hotels and ending with entire specialized centers, where a wide range of medical and preventive and other services is provided.
Device
As mentioned earlier, the volcanic nature of the Japanese islands influenced the formation of thermal springs. Traditionally, in the Land of the Rising Sun, onsen is especially revered, not only because the Japanese honor their history, but also because of health concerns. Initially, women and men bathed in different thermal springs, today you can also find mixed baths. However, it is worth noting that the most common practice of visiting sources is by men and women at different times. Young children can come to the baths without any restrictions.
Among the Japanese, invitations are often quite common among friendly companies, families for spending time together or even celebrating a honeymoon in these places.
Visiting Rules
In Japan, hot springs have their own rules and culture of visiting. Before you dive into the source, you must thoroughly wash your whole body with soap and then swim in the shower. Special washing places or showers are located in the immediate vicinity of the onsen.
After all the necessary hygiene procedures, you can go to the source. According to the rules, during immersion in water it is necessary to use a special towel to cover the nudity, at least when entering and leaving the water.
Traditionally, Japan's hot springs are considered a place for a quiet, relaxing holiday and enjoy the surrounding nature. However, in modern onsen (in a large part intended for tourists) you can find noisy companies.
Takaragawa onsen
This is a traditional classic thermal spring. It is located in Gumma Prefecture, in the small village of Minakami. Takaragawa is translated from Japanese as “treasure river”. This is one of the most famous and largest hot springs that are located in the open.
Tours to Japan offer a visit to this onsen, as well as booking a hotel in the immediate vicinity. In total there are four thermal pools. Three of them are for general use, and one is for women only.
Mineral water in the sources, containing various substances that are healing for the body. This place has long been popular and known throughout Japan, as Takaragawa onsen waters help with diseases such as:
- circulatory disturbance;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- skin problems
- muscle and ligament sprains.
In addition to medical and preventive measures, this complex offers other services. In summer, you can go kayaking, go rafting and even paragliding (flying on a special guided parachute). In winter, you can go skiing and snowboarding.
Onsen in the capital
Hot springs in Tokyo are located on the island of Odaiba. This artificially created bulk island is located in Tokyo Bay. Onsen Monogatari, built here, is one of the most popular places not only among the Japanese, but also among many tourists. After a high-tech modern metropolis, many are delighted to immerse themselves in the history of the old traditional city. This is easy enough, because the interiors of this onsen are made in the old Japanese style.
The attitude to visitors here is at the highest level, from the very entrance everyone is given serious attention here. Customers are invited to dress in an old-style kimono and proceed to the bathing rooms in the interiors, whose interiors are designed in the style of the XVI-XVIII centuries.
Onsen Services
In addition to the thermal springs themselves, which originate at a depth of about 1,800 meters, a theme park has been created here that can transfer visitors to old Japan. Various types of onsen are available in it both in the open and closed. In total, visitors will be offered 14 types of bathtubs. In this institution, the list of services is so diverse that it is simply impossible to use them in one day.
In Monogatari onsen you can swim in the thermal springs, for which water is supplied to a variety of bathtubs made from various types of wood or types of stone. It is believed that, for example, a bath of cypress wood has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, and from cedar it perfectly copes with skin problems.
Other wellness services, such as massage or aromatherapy, are also offered here. On the territory of this complex there are several cafes and restaurants. If you wish, you can visit the thematic museum, where you can not only get acquainted with the history of Tokyo, but also feel like a resident of the XVIII century. Numerous animators and specially prepared programs for guests will help.
Infrastructure
Onsen Oedo Monogatari is very popular among tourists and locals not only because of the wide range of services provided, but also because of its good location. After visiting the thermal springs themselves, you can head to the coastal park located at Tokyo Bay.
If you wish, you can stay in one of the nearest comfortable hotels. Many Japanese, planning their vacation, quite often stop near this onsen, because it successfully combines traditions that are highly revered in this country with modern trends and advanced Tokyo technologies.
In this place, as if two epochs are connecting - the old and the new Japan. It should be noted that tours to Japan and Tokyo are very popular, including due to thermal springs, which have healing properties. Travelers who come here have the opportunity not only to get acquainted with a country with a huge history, but also to improve their health.