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Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

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Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#31

Post by deanc »

achoice wrote: post #15
snowman56789 wrote: post #4

Anyone here been to an onsen? Does it really match the marketing or is this more of people falling over themselves with Japan fascination?

Yasuragi in Stockholm Sweden is a popular Japanese style spa retreat. Highly recommended if you have time to spare and relax. I love going especially in the winter to relax and leave the digital stressful everyday life. https://www.yasuragi.se/en/

I can second this location. It’s more of a spa than an Onsen though. An incredibly expensive and award-winning one!

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#32

Post by ChatGTP »

ljlolel wrote: post #17
jaipilot747 wrote: post #2

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. Going to an onsen can at first be a bit daunting with all the rules and etiquette, but it was definitely worth it. Sitting in a hot onsen while it's snowing, peacefully in the middle of nature.. it was an incredible experience.

I love onsens so much, but this is also true in a hot tub at a ski area. Fond memories of Tahoe and Colorado.

I’ve done both but in Japan the actual natural hot spring water is just an incredible addition to the experience which imo cannot be matched in a traditional hot tub.

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#33

Post by [deleted] »

ginko wrote: post #11
canvascritic wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been to an onsen during a trip to Japan. The entire process, from the washing ritual to immersing oneself in the hot spring, is an experience that's hard to articulate Whether it aligns with the marketing or is part of the "Japan fascination", I think, is really hard to say especially as an outsider myself There's a tranquility to the surroundings, but it's often disrupted by throngs of tourists. we weren't prep…

>In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one, and it was punctuated with moments of discomfort but also deep relaxation. Fancy onsen ryokan can be quite pricy, but I wouldn't say it's expensive in general. I'm currently in Matsuyama and entry to the Dogo onsen bathouse (one of the oldest hot springs in Japan) is like 460 yen per person. Many hotels also have hot spring baths in onsen towns without it…

[deleted]

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#34

Post by lhl »

bibanez wrote: post #10
kizunajp wrote: post #3

Hello HN! Author here. This was an absolutely _fascinating_ topic to research and write about. So many different perspectives and so much depth to each of them. I am not sure I got all the parts about the geology right and would love any chance to learn from those who know better!

Have you seen Thermae Romae Novae? It's a manga with a Netflix anime adaptation about onsen. Very well-made and it was what got me first interested in onsen!

I saw that show, and as an onsen fan loved it, but recently I stumbled upon a pretty interesting article on how Roman baths were... not all that great from a health/hygiene perspective: https://archive.is/Y1un4

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#35

Post by mitthrowaway2 »

yardstick wrote: post #18

My two complaints about Onsen are: 1. They are gender separated. So when travelling as a straight couple or in groups you likely can’t share the experience together. Some see this as a plus. I see it as a minus. Put it down to personal preference. 2. Must be nude. Ok well I guess I’m just a prude, but I don’t enjoy the concept of being nude in front of others. Rules out German style spas too. 3. Bonus issue. Tattoos.…

There are mixed-gender onsen if you prefer, although they are becoming less common. But if you have difficulty being nude in front of others, you probably don't prefer that. Best to stay at a ryokan that has a private onsen attached.

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#36

Post by lhl »

snowman56789 wrote: post #4

Anyone here been to an onsen? Does it really match the marketing or is this more of people falling over themselves with Japan fascination?

Onsen are great (being out in a starry night in a rotenburo (outdoor bath) with a light snowfall is a must-experience IMO), but a lot of what you're paying for will be the traditional ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) experience and kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner) that usually accompanies an onsen stay.

Personally, I'm a big fan, and I'd recommend everyone to give it a try if they can (but to also research the manners, rules, and exceptions - tattoos are a big no no in most public onsen). For those visiting an onsen for the first time, you can use a site like https://selected-ryokan.com/ (which includes private onsen) or (my recommendation) Booking.com to find something tourist friendly and read the reviews.

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#37

Post by yardstick »

deanc wrote: post #28
yardstick wrote: post #18

My two complaints about Onsen are: 1. They are gender separated. So when travelling as a straight couple or in groups you likely can’t share the experience together. Some see this as a plus. I see it as a minus. Put it down to personal preference. 2. Must be nude. Ok well I guess I’m just a prude, but I don’t enjoy the concept of being nude in front of others. Rules out German style spas too. 3. Bonus issue. Tattoos.…

I’m sure the Japanese have many complaints about Western culture when travelling too. Ultimately these are their traditions and we should respect them. I visited an Onsen recently in Bangkok (artificial of course) and the locals were very vocal about any perceived lack of decorum.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t respect them. I’m just saying they aren’t for everyone and these items in particular weren’t really discussed in the article.

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#38

Post by boomboomsubban »

zztop44 wrote: post #29

Maybe this is covered in part 3, but some towns have a municipal onsen water service for private households. I was recently talking to a real estate agent in southern Kyushu who said that every household in his town could pay 3000yen per month to get unlimited onsen water piped into their home between 7am-10pm every day.

Do you know why 7AM to 10PM? That sounds like some employee is necessary to facilitate piping the water, but I can't imagine what role they would have that isn't automated with standard municipal water.

Re: Onsen: A Peek into Japan’s Hot Springs

#39

Post by Aeolun »

WTF. Part 3 is for subscribers only? This is one of the worst kinds of bait and switch I’ve seen in recent years.

Either make your article open, or make it closed. Don’t limit arbitrary parts when you split it up due to size (which you’re already doing not due to size but due to advertisements).

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