One of the most lovely things about Japan have to be the natural Onsen… these natural mineral springs have been a source of rejuvenation and relaxation for hundreds if not thousands of years. Picture a beutiful winter day, with snow falling and the gentle trickle of icicles melting… then imagine yourself submerged in a 120 degree F. flowing deluge filled with shiny black river stones between your toes, and you can begin to appreciate this wonder of Earth. Nothing is as charming as an old fashioned ryokan, and paired with this natural beauty it can only be called paradise. Of course I have never experienced it for myself, but with a little imagination I am instantly there amidst the volcanic splendor.
Our friend Locohama spends many a holiday melting away the hours in these wonderful places, and for good reason. For a cold-weather junkie like myself, nothing beats a good hot soak while watching the snow fall like so many cherry blossom petals… such a thing is unheard of in America. They would say “well isn’t it freezing?!? how can you stand being practically naked in this kind of weather?” It is a paradox to the uninitiated, but to me it is sublime.
Of course you can visit onsen at any time during the season, for they are located all over Japan… but there’s something about the winter scene that just boggles the senses and enchants me to the point where I crave it like a junkie. There are also many different kinds of onsen; bicarbonate for smooth skin, iron-rich for blood flow and vitality, saline for body aches and muscle relaxing relief.
There is a good reason why people have used these miracles of nature for thousands of years… even the wild macaques get down with the onsen!
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