THE ONSEN

I was keen to try out a traditional Japanese hot spring public bath (Onsen). The Tour Guide had informed us that we had to be naked, so, being rather shy when it comes to exposing my body, I waited the obligatory couple of hours after eating and drinking alcohol, and hoped that noone would be using the baths at around 10 pm. As it turned out there were 2 elderly women in the bath house. One was in the ante room drying off and getting dressed. The other was in one of the baths. One was supposed to undress in the ante room, then enter the bath house naked. (I had the towel from my hotel room draped over me for protection). I figured one had to sit on a low stool at the mirrored wall and wash oneself with a hand-held shower hose. I couldn't figure out how to wash the regions that came into contact with the stool, and I didn't want to even think about how many others had used that stool.

Anyway, I finally lowered myself gingerly into the steaming hot water of the cooler of the 2 tiled baths. I think it was still around 43 degrees !! Far too hot for me, really. By this stage, the remaining woman was on the stool again after having her bath. I figured one had to wash oneself again after soaking in the tub. I only stayed in the hot water for about 10 minutes as I was feeling a bit light-headed.

I regretted not having my camera with me just to get a shot of the bath-house. Believe me there were no pretty sights anywhere worth photographing.

Peter, who visited the men's Onsen on the floor below, tells me he had a similar experience. A bit over-rated was the general concensus. Or good when you don't have a bathroom at home (as is the case with my son who currently rolls out his futon on the floor of his classroom while he looks for suitable accommodation).