Natural hot spas and traditional Japanese-inns have been closing down all over Japan in recent years, so get here if you can like the song in the video suggests. On your itinerary add a day to enjoy what is left of fading culture.
Luxury resort onsen hotels are becoming a thing of the past these days as bathing in public is losing its appeal with the younger generation and smaller families who prefer the convenience of bathing at home. It’s even less common now to see mixed-bathing culture where both men and women bathed together in full nudity; these days are nearing its end. This is also a part of Japan’s unique cultural heritage.
A lot of tourists miss the appeal of real Japanese hospitality when they pass up an opportunity to explore Japan’s old hotel culture. Once or twice a year families enjoy staying in big budget hotels where they can enjoy great food and hot springs together as a family. This activity is almost ritual and is a great way for family bonding.
N.B. The best time to enter an onsen is just before the official check-in time at around 3pm - The hot springs will be completely empty!
This is an alkaline hot spring that slowly melts away oil and dead skin cells from the skin. Your skin will feel smoother, softer, and more subtle. I also have to mention the aromatics in the water which is sweet, soft, mineral scents.
I would usually soak for about 40 minutes to really heat my body up, then I would get out and return to my room, open an ice cold beer and chug it down quickly. Later, have a nice dinner then repeat the first step again, and maybe another time after midnight. One last time in the morning just before breakfast.
good evening. Thank you for mentioning me. Hot springs are a wonderful healing place. I also love hot springs. A hot spring trip is a great trip that you will never be interested in, such as a Japanese-style inn, a stone-made hot spring, delicious food, and fun sightseeing spots.
I will share the photos when I traveled to Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.
Do you like to soak Onsens over and over again? Me too! So I love to stay in a room that has a private Onsen. They are a bit expensive but we can enjoy it anytime freely. The problem is, as some of them are not using Onsen water, we need to check it in advance.
@HiroyukiTakisawa Yes. I am a real stickler about 源泉掛け流し！ Private baths in rooms are always nicer, but a bit more expensive as you said. Fewer options when finding hotels is the reason I avoid them as some hotels have 24-hr. open onsens, like this hotel. The snow scene and bath look amazing. Have you been to some onsen in Kanagawa?
Hello. Chichibu is a wonderful place. The view is great and the food is delicious. This ryokan was a small ryokan that was open for 24 hours. The feeling is healed when you see the mountains of Chichibu. Thank you very much. Regard
@HiroyukiTakisawa I compiled an extensive list of favorite onsen, too. Right now, I am editing that list to make sure these hotels are still in business. That is what prompted me to write this essay. The pictures I posted are of a great onsen hotel that closed down, and one that was frequented by foreign tourist who wrote great reviews of it. Hopefully tourist will have a chance to experience this aspect of Japanese culture before it fades away.
Once again I enjoyed your post with great video and photos, especially those of the amazing outdoor/natural hot spas. It’s sad to hear that natural hot spas and traditional onsen hotels are closing down. Wow you soak for 40 minutes 3 to 4 times a day. Perhaps you need to install an onsen back at your home!!!
@AdamGT Thank you for stopping by. I cannot fit into a standard Japanese soaking tub, which is roughly 1050mm X 80mm. Modern homes will have bigger tubs of course. I love the great outdoors and feeling the natural surroundings.
Hi @HiroyukiTakisawa
Wouldn’t soaking Onsens at high temperatures 35-50C over and over again be just to exhausting for the human body? Also, how can you tell if the water is the rght water, I mean what exactly is Onsen water? Your photo suggests that it might be cold and snowing outside and in that case yes I can understand wanting to be in a hot hot Onsen but what aout in the warmer weather, is that desire still there?
Hello. Thank you for mentioning. Japanese inns offer various dishes in small dishes. Sea food, mountain food, local specialties, hot dishes, cold dishes, fried dishes, baked dishes, boiled dishes, raw dishes and many other dishes. I’m serving a portion of this photo. It was very delicious so I ate everything. Thank you very much. Regard
I like hot springs too.
The place with a large bathtub is nice and small family bath is also good.
However, In most hot springs, photography in the bathroom or changing room is prohibited. Even carrying in cameras is prohibited.
Still, I’m taking such photos. https://goo.gl/maps/r6mRZSXM72B1PQf49
