Onsen (Japanese Hot Springs)

Onsen (Japanese Hot Springs)

Natural hot springs (onsen) are numerous and highly popular across Japan. Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns, which come with them.

There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on your body and mind.

Hot spring baths come in many varieties, indoors and outdoors, gender separated and mixed, developed and undeveloped. Many hot spring baths belong to a ryokan, while others are public bath houses. An overnight stay at a hot spring ryokan is a highly recommended experience to any visitor of Japan.

Outdoors

Indoors

Nothing beats a visit to a hot-spring ryokan for easing away the stress of modern life. Sharatei offered Warner and Birtles a calming soak, peaceful gardens for strolling, a dinner of seasonal delicacies, and refined traditional architecture. Being from Britain, they began to chat about the much-anticipated revival of hot-spring bathing in the city of Bath, where the bathing tradition began in England during the days of the Roman Empire.