After much pestering from Ryan I am back to writing blogs again. Seeing that he kept you updated on Tokyo and our adventures around Kyoto, I'll fill you in on our onsen adventure. Two hours north west of Tokyo in by Shinkansen (bullet train) and a local train, is a small town up in the mountians where our onsen was located. Our onsen (Takaragawa Onsen) was outside, in the natural hot springs along the banks of Takaragawa river. The setting was very beautiful with four rock pools gently shaded by the bright colors of the fall maple leaves and the sound of the rushing river just along the edge. However this was also a little unnerving, for an onsen is a traditionnal Japanease bath, and bathing is always done in the nude. Now before pictures start popping up in your mind, let me save all of us the embarisment and let you in on a little secret. They give women a large towel to wrap in while bathing and men, while it is optional, most opt for a towel a little bigger than a hand towel. So after learning this secret Ryan and I were comfortable enough to test the waters.
Right after checking in, we put aside our western clothes and put on the traditional yukata and sandles (way too small for Ryan). We then proceeded to scrub our selves silly in the shower rooms before we hit the baths. We did not want to be the rude westerners that jumped into the bath dirty, thus ruining the experience for every one else. (there was only one other western couple there so we wanted to make a good impression). The out side air was cold, but we knew the water was hot, so we hurried to the water . The fist bath was a painful shock at the start. After a few minuites with our bodies aclimated we started to walk towards a seperate pool inside this pool where the source of the spring originated. As we waded closer to the source the water got even hotter and we could go no further. Ryan then decided that bath was for the professional "ninja" like bathers. We moved back to the shallows, while we gathered courage to try the other pools. Lucky for us the other pools were quite comfortable and we tried them all before dinner.
Dinner was a traditional Japanease meal, with a whole raw fish that we were to cook our selves on the grill provided at our table, some veggies, sushi, and rice. I love seafood, but the fish eyes were staring at me as I grilled it, so while I picked at the fish I could not bring myself to finish or enjoy eating "him." Now the sushi I loved and scrafed it down in no time. Ryan who was truamatized by the meal ate only the rice and veggies, and hurried back to the room to eat peanut butter which we had left over from China. After Ryan completed his "real" meal back at the room, we went to the baths again, so we could enjoy them under the moon and the stars. It was a little eiry with the steam rising off of the baths under the night sky with very few other bathers around but it was actually so peacefull and a true luxury. We then retired for the night to our room where we slept as the theme of the evening dictated - "Japanese" style, on tatami mats, and futon mattresses on the floor with buckwheat pillows. This was one of the best nights sleep we had and I would love to find a Japanese pillow when I return home.
When we woke we enjoyed the baths one last time, before our western (thank God) breakfast. We had a great time and I would recommend this experience and place to all. It was nice to experience traditional Japan far outside the major cities.
Bye for now,
D
P.S. I am sure Ryan would like you all to know that he was able on the last day endure the "ninja" bath.
1 comment:
Professional "ninja" like bathers...
I laughed at loud at work when I read this. Glad Ryan is slowly improving his Ninja skills. You two are looking great by the way!
-Bevington
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