🎎🎐 The Japanese Ritual That Made Me Forget My Phone Existed🎌🏯

You know how we're always chasing the next destination, the next photo op? Well, Japan's hot springs—onsen, as they're called—taught me that sometimes the most profound travel experiences happen when you're doing absolutely nothing but soaking in hot water.

I'm not talking about spa treatments or wellness resorts. This is different. This is about stepping into a centuries-old ritual that's woven into the very fabric of Japanese life, where the water bubbling up from deep within the earth has been healing bodies and souls long before "self-care" became a hashtag.

Welcome to your next destination: the sacred waters of Japan!

Why Onsen Matters in Japan?

This isn't just about bathing. Onsen culture goes back over a thousand years in Japan, mentioned in ancient texts like the Nihon Shoki from 720 AD. There's a beautiful legend about a white heron that healed its wounded leg in a hot spring, leading locals to discover the waters' restorative powers.

Another tale speaks of injured soldiers finding solace in mountain springs after battle.

For the Japanese, visiting an onsen is about hadaka no tsukiai—"naked communication"—the idea that when you strip away your clothes and status symbols, you meet others as equals. It's a practice of slowing down, of being present, of letting the warmth seep into your bones while your mind finally, finally quiets down.

🏯 Where to Find These Sacred Waters?

Hakone (90 from Tokyo)

Hakone has been the go-to escape for centuries. Here you can soak in traditional indoor baths, outdoor pools overlooking Mount Fuji on clear days, and even some truly wild riverside pools where hot spring water mixes with cold river water.

The Hakone hot springs have different mineral compositions, so locals say that you should try them all.

Prices vary by establishment. They range from 900 yen at Kappa Tengoku to 25,000 yen at Hakone Kamon, which includes two lunches.

Beppu on Kyushu Island

Beppy is where you go if you want the full sensory experience. This town produces more hot spring water than anywhere else in Japan—over 130,000 tons daily.

The famous "hells" (jigoku) are too hot for bathing but stunning to witness: boiling pools in shades of cobalt blue, blood red, and milky turquoise. For bathing, try the sand baths where you're buried in naturally heated sand, or the mud baths rich in minerals.

The jewel in Beppu's crown is Beppu Beach Sand Spa, the only sand bath on the beach. It dates back to the Heian period. Its facilities are modern, but its service is traditional. The price of this bath starts at 25,000 yen. Reservations are required; you can make them on their official website.

Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture

Last, but not least: Kusatsu. This is legendary for its intensely acidic waters—so mineral-rich they can actually bleach wood over time.

The yubatake (hot water field) in the town center is this stunning cascade of steaming water flowing through wooden channels. The water here is around 51-94°C at the source, cooled down for bathing, but still wonderfully hot.

Many of the baths here are completely natural pools, and the town has preserved its traditional wooden bathhouses.

SPANISH SECTION:

Barcelona por 10 días: GUÍA COMPLETA

Conocida por ser y tener la obra maestra de Antonio Gaudí, pero la realidad es que ofrece mucho más que arquitectura modernista. Y una guía completa es lo único que necesitas. Recupera el aliento que en una noche de cócteles en El Born es la cereza de esas vacaciones tan anheladas en el viejo continente.

Vamos de los lugares obligados a aquellos pequeños rincones donde los catalanes pasan las tardes de verano bebiendo vermut y deleitando al paladar con tapas. Aunque quizá una sangría de cava y una paella son lo que te apetece.

🎌 Practical Wisdom for Your Visit

• Timing: Visit during off-peak hours (early morning before 9 AM or evening after 8 PM) for a more meditative experience. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Autumn and winter are magical—there's nothing quite like soaking in steaming water while snow falls around you.

• What to Bring: Most onsen provide small towels, but it's recommended to bring your own if you prefer. Bring a bottle of water. That's it. Leave your phone, your camera, and your need to document everything. This experience is for you, not your feed.

• What to Wear: Nothing. Seriously. Most traditional onsen require complete nudity (gender-separated, of course). Some resorts offer private baths if you're uncomfortable with communal bathing. A few places allow swimsuits but these are usually less traditional. Mixed-gender baths (konyoku) are still available, but they are becoming increasingly rare.

• About Those Tattoos: This is changing, but many public onsen still prohibit visible tattoos (associated historically with yakuza). Some places offer private baths for tattooed guests, or you can use waterproof cover-up patches. Smaller guesthouses are often more flexible. Check ahead.

• Ryokan Experience: Consider staying at a traditional inn with private onsen access. Yes, it's pricier, but waking up and soaking before breakfast, then again before bed, then once more before you leave? That's where the magic of slow travel lives.

One Last Thing

Don't rush this. The whole point is to let time soften and expand. Bring a book for afterward, sit in the rest area, drink cold milk from a glass bottle (an onsen tradition), and let yourself be still. That's when you'll understand why people have been making pilgrimages to these waters for over a thousand years.